There's no greater honour for a sportsman than playing for their country - or, if you're Sean Lynch, for Croatia in the World Cup.

The tweet was swiftly deleted after critical responses branded it patronising to the professional players who had just finished as bronze medallists in the World Cup.

Canada head coach Kieran Crowley insists his team can cope without injured Ospreys flanker Tyler Ardron in their World Cup opener against Ireland in Cardiff.

Ireland are taking no chances with full-back Rob Kearney’s World Cup fitness.

Rob Andrew has questioned whether England’s World Cup squad are ready to hit their peak.

Raymond Domenech’s lawyer has confirmed his client will seek a compensation payment of €2.9m from the French Football Federation after his exit as national team coach.

England manager Martin Johnson insisted he would not start locking his team in their hotel following reports about a night out in Queenstown.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has admitted the decision of the France squad to strike during the World Cup was “completely stupid”.

The agent of Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure says the Catalan club are asking for too much money for the Ivory Coast international.

Ledley King returned to the training ground this morning as he stepped up his recovery from a groin strain.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Aiden McGeady has said Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are ‘going to have to go for it’ when they face France on Saturday night.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has turned down an offer from North Korea to become their technical adviser for next year’s World Cup.

Emile Heskey has admitted he will consider leaving Aston Villa in January in a bid to secure his place in the England squad for next summer’s World Cup.

France veteran Patrick Vieira has lashed out after he was left out of Raymond Domenech’s squad for the World Cup qualifying play-offs against the Republic of Ireland.

The Japan Football Association have begun their search for a new national team coach after Takeshi Okada reiterated his intention to step down.

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has insisted personal milestones are "just not important" in the context of his country's stuttering World Cup campaign.

Paul O’Connell last night hit back at suggestions that Ireland set their expectations too high ahead of this year’s World Cup when they said they could win it.

In an echo of the FAI investigation after the Saipan debacle, independent consultant Brian Porteous of Genesis Consulting is to commence a review of the Irish team's performances in Rugby World Cup 2007.

Jerry Barton has already trained a Dubai World Cup runner-up and has tipped 2009 contender Joe Louis to spring a surprise at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday.

Former England star Jason Robinson has claimed that Brian Ashton’s recent ousting as head coach of the national team was “harsh”.