Football news  

Do Arsenal really have what it takes?

Another season looks like going off the rails after Arsène Wenger's men have their failings highlighted by Chelsea

• Chelsea declare title credentials

• Wenger has a blind spot, even if he can’t see it

Blatter to call time on World Cup cheats

The ‘Hand of Henry’ may force Fifa president to embark on technological revolution to help drive cheats out of football

• Blatter signals World Cup disciplinary crackdown

• Ireland ask for extra place at World Cup

Redknapp warning on agents falls on deaf ears

Tottenham ignore manager’s warning about ‘idiotic’ agents with the North London club spending £6m on fees over the past 12 months

• Q&A: why are clubs paying agents all this money?

• Premier League clubs get £70m agents' bill

Ferguson keeps faith with bright young things

Manchester United manager believes that his latest batch of tyros have the potential to turn into the stars of tomorrow

• Ageless Giggs brings up first-class century

• Ferguson to put striker search on hold

Rugby news  

Wales slide down rankings

England climb to sixth in the IRB's global rankings as Warren Gatland's men slip two places following defeat by Australia

• Wales descend from bad to worse

• Ten things we’ve learnt from the autumn Tests

Familiarity breeds success for Kidney's men

An unbeaten sequence of 11 internationals, including a grand slam, is one that few sides have the opportunity to savour

• Irish Lions get their revenge through Sexton's boot

• Kidney’s side is an ode to teamwork

Home nations must make rules work for them

All Blacks, in their rout of France in Marseilles, remain a stunning example of how good the game can be at the highest level

Lamb gives Bath the chop as crisis deepens

Bath 0 London Irish 16: Fly half scores all the points for Irish as Steve Meehan calls on supporters to back his struggling team

Cricket news  

Pietersen aims to brush rust off

England batsman hoping to recapture his best form at the Kingsmead ground after four months out with an Achilles injury

• Can you play for England? 'Ja, for sure'

• Trott: Cape Town only for holidays

Bowler Asim Butt passes away at the age of 42

Former Scotland cricketer, who played at the 1999 World Cup in England, dies in his sleep in his home town of Lahore

• India close to becoming top Test nation

• Pietersen aims to brush rust off at former home

India close to becoming top Test nation

Home team will lead the ICC Test world rankings if they can beat Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai

• What Tendulkar has that Bradman didn’t

• Tendulkar: India celebrates 20 years

Anderson's five-star show sets up victory

South Africa v England: bowler’s five-wicket haul gives touring side lead in one-day series with one match to go

• England hammered in third one-day match

• Outspoken Arthur forced on to the back foot

More sport news  

Drugs firm pledges £10m for testing

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline sponsors anti-doping programme ahead of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics

Americans put cash before World Cup

Golfers from the United States criticised for thinking more about appearance money than representing their country

Sport England back in funding spotlight

Second bank account at the quango comes under scrunity as investigation into potential misuse of public money continues

RFL admits to concern over Crusaders

South Wales club are running out of time to confirm exactly where they will be playing their home games next season

Racing and Betting News  

Racing authorities cannot afford blinkered outlook in troubled times

Alan Lee considers the implications of the financial crisis in Dubai, pictured, and a ban on jumps racing in the Australian state of Victoria

Denman shows X-factor to give Walsh dilemma

Jockey will have to choose between jump racing's two heavyweight champions for Cheltenham Gold Cup

Denman reigns supreme in Hennessy

Paul Nicholls’ gem carries 11st 12lb to glory with a brave run at Newbury a year after being half-dead with a heart condition