Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback insisted his team would not settle for the draw they need against England to progress to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

Padraig Harrington has finished off Chris Riley at the World Match Play in Wentworth. Riley had a chance to keep it alive, but missed a 10-footer.

Clive Woodward has backed the continued pursuit of rugby league’s greatest talents as the New South Wales Rugby Union close in on the signing of superstar Australian half-back Andrew Johns.

Mick McCarthy has warned that goalkeepers face a tougher task than usual at the World Cup finals, after his Republic of Ireland team trained with the new FIFA regulation footballs today.

It’s imperative the Irish rugby snowball keeps on rolling in 2017 after such a productive end to 2016, writes Donal Lenihan.

Irish kickboxer Deirdre Begley has targeted a podium finish at this weekend’s world championships in Dublin. It is the first time the competition is in Ireland and Begley, who came third in the World Cup in June, would love to secure a medal in front of a home crowd.

Football Association chairman David Bernstein has leapt to the defence of referee Howard Webb following a sustained attack on the official in the wake of Mario Balotelli’s violent conduct charge.

Sweden’s Peter Hanson turned up the Ryder Cup heat on Paul Casey even more today by taking a share of the lead three times at the Czech Open in Celadna.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has issued a guarded warning to new All Black coach Graham Henry — steer clear of Christian Cullen.

Cristiano Ronaldo has already set his sights on being named the best player in the world again next year

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has blamed former chief executive Peter Kenyon for the club’s failure to sign Ronaldinho.

The World Rowing Cup regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, presents Ireland’s seniors with a final chance to test themselves before the year’s main event, the World Rowing Championships in September.

IFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Dele Alli over his gesture during England's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

The Northern Irish team are bidding to reach their fourth global finals, and their first since 1986.

Irish and global companies are set to reject this summer’s World Cup in favour of other events when directing their sponsorship spend, which is expected to soar this year.

Frank Lampard would welcome Wayne Rooney to Chelsea and hopes manager Jose Mourinho gets his way if he continues to pursue the Manchester United and England striker.

Joe Schmidt’s side may have got off to an impressive start at this Rugby World Cup with their dismissal of Canjada in Cardiff, but Michael Bradley recorded the first Irish success story of the tournament in Gloucester some hours earlier.