It was the end of the road for another celebrity in 'Strictly Come Dancing' last night.

Philipp Lahm believes England may not enjoy as much confidence as Germany should their World Cup last-16 clash have to be decided by penalties.

Petr Cech told his Chelsea team-mates it was up to them to prove they had not blown their only chance of Club World Cup glory following their shock final defeat to Corinthians on Sunday.

THE spectre of Gavin Henson continues to hang over Welsh rugby after he featured in a marketing campaign for the new Wales kit yesterday.

THE FAI last night insisted that it must honour its broadcast contract with Sky Sports as the Government cleared measures to make international soccer games available on non-subscription channels.

Ireland flanker David Wallace is “delighted” with his fitness ahead of the forthcoming World Cup and is ready to a play a key role in his side’s bid for glory.

Clare Shine has been tipped for football greatness since Noel King included her in his World Cup squad at just 15, but the Cork native was close to missing tonight’s U19 Uefa finals opener against Spain in Oslo (6pm Irish time).

Given he is contracted beyond the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there is a strong belief Paul O’Connell will lead Ireland into battle in England in 15 months time.

Les Kiss will leave the Ireland set-up after Rugby World Cup 2015 to become Ulster’s full-time director of rugby.

Ireland full-back Girvan Dempsey has ratcheted up the tension on France by declaring tonight’s showdown is like the “World Cup final” for the hosts.

Australia prop Ben Darwin today announced the neck injury he suffered in the Wallabies’ World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand had forced him to retire from rugby.

European Rugby Cup chairman Jean-Pierre Lux has described the ramifications of a proposed Anglo-French tournament as “detrimental” to the world game.

One of the key Castres players hoping to plot a shock win over Munster on Sunday in the opening round of the Champions Cup grew up in South Africa with Rassie Erasmus as one of his childhood heroes.

An earless baby bunny had his 15 minutes of fame brought to an abrupt end when he was accidentally stepped on by a television cameraman.

France 13 England 24

England back Mathew Tait has signed a new one-year contract at Newcastle Falcons, tying him to the Guinness Premiership club until 2009.

Henrik Stenson’s runaway nine-stroke victory in the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa has lifted

THERE’S much talk of the spirit of ’88 in Stuttgart this morning but, as we indulge the ancient sport of straw-clutching, we shouldn’t forget the last time Ireland visited Germany – and came away with a win.