New Zealand back-row colossus Kieran Read has targeted an improvement from the All Blacks at next year’s World Cup.

KEITH ANDREWS has admitted the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of clinching automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup are all but over but insists Giovanni Trapattoni’s side can still reach South Africa via the play-offs.

TOTTENHAM striker Robbie Keane hopes his namesake Roy will be back in the Republic of Ireland fold in time for their next Euro 2004 qualifier against Georgia in March.

ENGLAND headed for Melbourne last night with their World Cup campaign gathering huge momentum, and red rose supreme Clive Woodward declaring: “I think we are going to get better and better.”

CLIVE WOODWARD last night urged rugby chiefs to hand England's £10,000 World Cup fine to cash-strapped Samoa.

England’s build-up to their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand took a theatrical turn yesterday after Eddie Jones claimed that their training session was spied upon.

Jonathan Davies believes mental toughness must be prominent in Wales’ armoury if they are to emerge from the so-called World Cup pool of death.

With France, it’s always about the known unknowns.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan believes the Pacific Islands hold the key to establishing a more competitive World Cup.

Aaron Lennon signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal to stay at Tottenham and immediately set his sights on improving on his breakthrough season.

Police were hunting thieves today who broke into the home of Wayne Rooney’s parents and stole valuable football memorabilia belonging to the England star.

Bookmaker William Hill today said the amount of money left by unsuccessful punters in recent weeks had shown a slight fall on a year ago.

Ireland’s lightweight four stroked to a World Cup silver medal at the Olympia Regattaverein in Munich this morning, defeating current World champions Denmark for the third time this week but losing out to Olympic contenders Italy.

Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock could be a doubt for the Carling Cup final after being advised to rest his shin problem for at least a further fortnight.

Back in April when it was scored most everyone agreed that Chris Forrester’s exquisite goal for St Patrick’s Athletic against Shamrock Rovers — a scooped lob which was as immaculate as it was audacious — would not be bettered in the Airtricity League this season.

Irish team manager Paul McNaughton isn’t prepared to focus on the four World Cup warm-up matches Ireland lost before arriving in Queenstown, choosing instead to draw positives from Munster's and Leister's European triumphs.