Declan Kidney’s Irish team have been dealt a serious blow ahead of their departure to New Zealand with the news that Ulster back row Stephen Ferris will not take part in the three Test series against the All Blacks.

Danny Care will be excluded from England’s Six Nations squad after being arrested for drink driving, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.

Master Of Hounds will go for either the Qipco 2000 Guineas or the Kentucky Derby following his gallant effort in the UAE Derby.

Germany coach Joachim Low has raised doubts as to whether Michael Ballack will ever return to the national team following his latest injury setback.

The Football Association were today investigating whether Liverpool forward Ryan Babel would face disciplinary action following his criticism of referee Howard Webb on Twitter.

Ireland 82 Serbia 0

Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf today revealed he would be happy to stay at Stamford Bridge for another season.

Newport are expected to announce the signing of former New Zealand All Blacks scrum-half Junior Tonu’u today.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has crashed out of the Regal Welsh Open at Cardiff.

Taribo West has put pen to paper and agreed to stay with Derby until the end of the season.

The Spitting Image puppet of former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona was today sold for £4,000 at an auction of footballing memorabilia.

ENGLAND flanker James Haskell has been passed fit for selection against Ireland on Saturday.

GORDON D’ARCY has undergone surgery on an ankle injury sustained in Leinster’s Heineken Cup victory over Northampton Saints in Cardiff last month.

ENGLAND World Cup hopeful Manu Tuilagi looks likely to miss the English Premiership final with Saracens after a “thuggishness” attack on Northampton winger Chris Ashton.

TOM QUEALLY gave Twice Over a first sighter of the new racecourse at Meydan yesterday and is unperturbed by their 11-wide draw in the Dubai World Cup tomorrow.

RTÉ has won the rights from UEFA to screen all games in the Euro 2008 Championships next summer.

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane is to spurn a trip to Scotland for tomorrow’s Old Firm derby in favour of watching Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens in Coventry.

It is all but impossible to imagine how Dublin football manager Jim Gavin’s successor might emulate his record five-in-in-a-row All Ireland titles.

Bolton have signed Ivory Coast defender Abdoulaye Meite from Marseille, subject to a medical and receiving international clearance.

Former Wasps and Ireland boss Warren Gatland has hinted he is interested in taking over as coach of Auckland Blues.