Football news  

Prize money only increases Irish pain

France will collect $9 million (about £5.4m) just for turning up at World Cup finals, which features record prize money

• South African youngsters see magic of Beckham

• Capello starting to catch World Cup fever

South African youngsters see magic of Beckham

Former England captain may be nearing end of his career, but his attraction remains undimmed as was seen on visit to township

• Capello starting to catch World Cup fever

• Past suggests Capello will not need group therapy

Tévez: I won’t taunt United if I knock them out

Forward says he does not wish to ‘rub their noses in it’ but is relishing facing former club in Carling Cup semi-finals

• Hughes: Wenger lacks respect

• Hughes sigh of relief after City ease through

Premier League previews: Van der Sar returns

All the team news, injury problems and squads from around the grounds for the weekend matches in the top flight

• Ferdinand on road back to recovery

• Tévez: I won’t taunt United if I beat them

Rugby news  

England look to erase memory of defeat

Head coach Ben Ryan is looking to start Dubai Sevens in style with his side one of the favourites after reaching final last year

Catling given chance to repeat Oxford heroics

Key player of last year at Twickenham named for second Blue as teams are announced at the headquarters of the match sponsor

Diprose in frame for promotion at Harlequins

Club may have new director of rugby in place for Christmas fixture at Twickenham while Will Skinner returns to fitness

Barclay happy to takes reins at Glasgow

The Scotland player has been handed the captain's armband after Sean Lineen decided to rest a trio of internationals

Cricket news  

Strauss says England would welcome Flintoff

Captain dismisses suggestion by Graeme Smith that his life is made easier by the absence of ‘big names’ from his side

• Recipes that Cook might want to follow

• Rain threatens Strauss's victory hopes

Sehwag powers towards Lara's Test record

India batsman in destructive mood as he dismantled the Sri Lanka bowling to put Test best of 400 not out under threat

South Africa opt for new faces for first Test

Alviro Petersen and Wayne Parnell are among four uncapped players included in the squad for the first Test against England

Prior applauds England's honest toil

Wicket-keeper says team are under no illusions that they are a work in progress even if they remain one game away from landmark

More sport news  

Mauresmo announces retirement from tennis

Toil of training forces 2006 Wimbledon champion to call it quits at 30 and she will leave a legacy of graceful combat

Tiger Woods is 'only human after all'

Opinions across the sport are divided as world adjusts to another side to world No 1 since his confession about infidelity

Salita douses Khan camp fire with trainer doubts

Bolton boxer responds by saying he believes he has benefited from presence of lethal-punching Pacquiao in the set-up

Richards deal set to keep Renault on road

French team likely to sell a controlling stake in its Formula One team to David Richards, the chairman of Aston Martin

Racing and Betting News  

Maguire lets results do talking

Jockey is gaining his rewards from quiet approach and has set his sights on gaining a maiden century of winners

Denman's triumph earns my Gold Cup vote

Tom Scudamore gives his verdict on the Hennessy Gold Cup and the achievement of the outstanding winner

Dunguib bolsters burgeoning reputation

Bookmakers make six-year-old just 6-4 to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March after another impressive success at Fairyhouse