PAVEL Nedved has announced he will retire from international football following the Czech Republic’s friendly clash with Serbia tonight.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is relishing the chance to “grow and develop” the team after agreeing a contract extension which will run until the 2014 World Cup.

Danny Cipriani will report for England duty tonight with World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio underlining the Wasps youngster's "dedication" to rugby.

THE IRFU announced contract extensions for Declan Kidney and three of his management team yesterday, which will see them remain in charge of the Irish team until the end of the 2012-13 season which coincides with the next British and Irish Lions Tour.

In tiny Guam, a United States territory of less than 200,000 inhabitants in the North Pacific Ocean, a nation are finding their voice ahead of their first ever home World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

“We’ll leave it there, so,” as he’d say himself, but let’s face it — we don’t want to.

Gabriel Batistuta's 10th World Cup goal helped World Cup favourites Argentina kick-off their campaign with a hard-earned win in the Group F opener in Ibaraka.

Michael Owen helped fire England to within touching distance of World Cup qualification and then admitted he could have plundered another hat-trick.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen believes Saturday’s World Cup final against Australia has the potential to buck a recent trend.

Jermain Defoe says England must accept that hostility from disgruntled supporters is “part and parcel of playing at this level”.

WALES coach Warren Gatland has tipped history-maker Sam Warburton to leave a lasting impression on the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

ARGENTINA coach Marcelo Loffreda claims that his team will battle it out with Ireland for the second qualifying berth from Group D at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.

Ireland captain Caroline O’Hanlon admits her career as a doctor helps put sport into perspective and the pressure she feels on the court is so much different to those associated with work.

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

England will go into the World Cup next summer with high hopes of victory after being handed a straightforward draw for the finals.

By James Whelan

David Beckham insists Manchester United's England contingent will have no problem raising themselves out of the comfort zone in the build-up to next month's World Cup qualifier in Greece.