Keith Earls is convinced the celebrated Test career of his boyhood hero Brian O’Driscoll could extend until the 2015 World Cup.

Shay Given is desperate to give the nation a chance to dance in the streets as he once did by securing another trip to the World Cup finals.

The team line-up for Ireland’s latest World Cup clash against Romania may have been much changed from the opening weekend, but the hordes of travelling fans remain as reliable as old boots, no matter what the occasion.

It was a remarkable thing to say about a summer that had just seen Diego Maradona reach his peak, but Jack Charlton wasn’t in Mexico to be entertained.

AZZURRI coach John Kirwan caused a sensation in Italian rugby yesterday when he omitted stand-off Ramiro Pez from his World Cup squad.

Ian McKinley said that heading to Japan with Italy next month, 10 years after featuring there for Ireland in the Junior World Cup, would circle a remarkable rugby journey.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO has warned Twickenham officials not to make a panic appointment and hand World Cup-winning skipper Martin Johnson the vacant England coach’s role.

Hundreds of supporters welcomed home the Irish Womens Rugby team at Dublin Airport yesterday evening following their fourth place finish at the Womens Rugby World Cup in France.

World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself fully fit to take on Germany in the much-anticipated Group G opener in Salvador.

Paul O’Connell has admitted Ireland are a “long, long way away” from winning the Rugby World Cup after last week’s defeat to Wales in Dublin.

Jean de Villiers cannot see himself playing for any other South African except the Stormers, following his revelation last week that he will quit Munster in favour of a return to his homeland.

ROBBIE SAVAGE insists Wales “have gone a long way backwards” under John Toshack and stand no chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Andy Robinson last night bowed to the inevitable by resigning as Scotland head coach.

The biggest victory of Paul McGinley’s golf career was followed today by a trip to hospital – and it could result in the Dubliner being out of action for two months.

France coach Bernard Laporte today named an unchanged team for the World Cup semi-final showdown with England – and then paid a glowing tribute to Clive Woodward’s team.

Matt Dawson today insisted he was not “arrogant”.