Brive are refusing to confirm reports that former England winger Ben Cohen will leave the club in the summer after signing a two-year deal with Guinness Premiership side Sale Sharks.

Former England and Lions hooker Mark Regan has announced he will retire from playing at the end of the season.

Ireland could take part in a reciprocal tour programme with Jamaica after the two associations held talks.

Police in the North have released a 45-year-old man arrested earlier this week in connection with the murder of six men at a pub in Co Down 14 years ago.

Ian Poulter is to wait another two weeks before making his comeback from eye surgery.

ANDY ROBINSON last night refused to rule new England captain Jonny Wilkinson out of next month’s Twickenham Tests - despite England’s World Cup hero suffering fresh injury misery.

Second-seed Marat Safin has booked a place in the French Open second round after struggling through his opener against wild card Michael Llodra today.

Italian Serie A side AC Parma have named Arrigo Sacchi as the team's new coach, according to Italian news reports.

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Nemanja Vidic was forced to appeal to Serbia fans for calm as they rioted during his side’s embarrassing 1-0 friendly defeat by New Zealand in Klagenfurt on Saturday night.

NELSON Mandela’s grandchildren were held up by gunmen following the South African leader’s 92nd birthday party, it emerged yesterday.

STEVE BRUCE has revealed he attempted to persuade David Beckham to join Sunderland on loan last season.

ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona is keen to sign a new contract – so long as he is allowed to retain his entire backroom staff.

Jonah Lomu could feature for one of Ireland’s provinces in his bid to return to full fitness.

RYAN GIGGS maintains he is still hungry for success - and refuses to accept Chelsea have left Manchester United behind in English football’s power battle.

HARRY REDKNAPP and Clive Woodward yesterday spoke out in a bid to end continued speculation surrounding their relationship.

THE tradition of national anthems being played before international matches is under threat after FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggested they could be banned to avert crowd trouble.

FAI chief executive John Delaney identified Croke Park as the Association’s first choice alternative venue while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.

RUSSIA have confirmed Guus Hiddink will take over as their national coach after the World Cup.

THE public became familiar with “metatarsal” bones after English soccer star David Beckham fractured one of his in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup.

BARCELONA last night agreed to terminate the contract of Brazilian superstar Rivaldo, sparking a chase for his signature.