Scott Fardy says the Ireland team may not be pleased with the rugby they’re playing right now, but the former Australia lock says such woes could easily be forgotten when the World Cup comes around.

In a sense, Jean Kleyn completed his journey with a Test debut for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, but the Munster lock is determined to stay forward-focused as he aims for a place in his adopted country’s World Cup squad next month.

Tiger Woods’ three-week stay in Europe, with its centrepiece the Ryder Cup at the K Club near Dublin, will boost the golf economy by an estimated €250m, according to a new report.

The “R” word has often been mentioned around Bolton the last three seasons since they secured promotion.

Arsenal winger Robert Pires has admitted his frustration at being sidelined as the club close in on the double but remains philosophical about the consequences of his serious knee injury.

FRANKIE SHEAHAN’S legal team is hopeful that the Munster and Ireland hooker will have a two-year doping ban overturned when his appeal against the sentence is heard on September 1 next.

Former Ireland stopper Packie Bonner has revealed his long-time friend, Netherlands goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, had planned Tim Krul’s decisive late entrance into Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.

Last Wednesday at Lansdowne Road, Ireland were given another lesson in the dangers of playing possession-based teams.

With his rampant Ireland team currently churning out far more answers than it raises questions, Joe Schmidt’s place at the coaching top table cannot be disputed. But is he the pick of the current crop?

Former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes has backed UEFA president Michel Platini in his criticism of the influence of money in the modern game.

Elton Flatley, who so nearly dashed England’s dreams in the World Cup final a year ago, has returned to the Australia side for their defence of the Cook Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.

Spain winger David Silva says “the Premier League is the place to be” – and has set his sights on a move to Chelsea.

The Irish track team brought their World Championships campaign to a conclusion in Paris yesterday, with the standout performances coming from Caroline Ryan and Eoin Mullen.

Australia made just one change from the side which kicked off their World Cup campaign with a victory over Argentina, Daniel Vickerman coming in at lock for the injured David Giffin for today’s encounter with Romania at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Munster and Ireland second row Donnacha Ryan has signed a new IRFU contract to remain with Munster until the end of the 2013/14 season.