Top referee Alain Rolland has thanked Wales captain Sam Warburton for his public backing in the wake of the World Cup sending off that derailed the Welsh challenge in New Zealand last October.

CASH-STRAPPED RTÉ will have to pay out up to €10 million to broadcast the soccer World Cup and the Six Nations Rugby games this year.

CLIVE WOODWARD soaked up the astounding scenes of celebration in London’s West End with obvious enjoyment but as soon as the victory parade for England’s World Cup triumph was over the team’s guiding force was already consigning the day to the history books.

SAMOA captain Brian Lima’s landmark fifth World Cup was brought to a premature end yesterday when he was banned for three weeks for a high tackle on England’s Jonny Wilkinson in Saturday’s 44-22 defeat.

THE FAI has announced that the Scotland-based sport management consultancy Genesis will conduct the review into the association’s involvement in this summer’s World Cup finals.

MICHAEL OWEN admits life can be “torturous” killing the time between big games at World Cup tournaments.

Brazil midfielder Kleberson is still determined to secure a dream move to the Premiership.

Roy Hodgson will put off making a decision on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s fitness until the eve of England’s World Cup opener against Italy.

Claiming a fourth World Cup title wasn’t enough for Germany, as they helped to set a host of social media records during their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final.

Equestrian: The precocious talent of show jumper Bertram Allen combined with the veteran experience of the stallion Romanov to beat the sport’s elite in the World Cup class in Bordeaux, France, on Saturday.

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.

Gary Neville was again absent from England’s final training session before tomorrow’s World Cup group clash against Sweden in Cologne.

Chelsea defender John Terry is the only England player to make it into the World Cup squad of the tournament.

England World Cup footballer Wayne Bridge was injured during a “disturbance” outside a nightclub, it emerged today.

Poland captain Jacek Bak admits his team are planning a ‘Great Escape’ from the Group A after losing 2-0 to Ecuador.

FIFA’s disciplinary chiefs will begin to consider Wayne Rooney’s suspension tomorrow.

Australia coach John Connolly believes it will take a special performance from the Wallabies if they are to upset New Zealand at the World Cup next October.

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.