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.

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.

European Union legal backing for the free broadcast in member countries of the World Cup and European championship has been hailed as a victory for fans.

THE World Cup has been a major win-win competition for most bookmakers, but not for Paddy Power, which has scored a bit of an own-goal.

German Marcel Siem, a World Cup winner alongside Bernhard Langer three years ago, made a good start today to his bid for just a second European Tour title in more than 180 starts.

Ireland’s dream of qualifying for their first World Cup moved a step closer to becoming a reality when they defeated Uganda at a blustery Conber.

Billionaire Terry Matthews plans to attract both Tiger Woods and a World Golf Championship event to his Celtic Manor resort.

Scotland international Colin Hendry insists that he will be the loudest voice in the stands for his country’s remaining World Cup qualifiers.

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has launched a pre-emptive strike in a bid to prevent further embarrassing disclosures from the News of the World.

SETANTA Sports has unveiled plans to cover all 48 games live at the Rugby World Cup in France this autumn.

England 15 France 21

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The Republic of Ireland have been pitted against reigning world champions Italy in Group Eight of the World Cup Qualifying phase today, where they will also line up against Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and newcomers Montenegro.