Cycling/Two road race berths for Irish:As was the case in 2004, two Irish riders will be eligible to line out in the Elite road race at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing, writes Shane Stokes.
The UCI have released details of the places obtained via the ProTour and Continental Tour rankings and, under that criteria, Ireland will have two berths in the road race. Australia, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the US get the maximum of five, and this, plus the allocations for other countries, brings the total to 145 entrants for the competition.
Ireland have already secured a place in the Elite men's MTB cross country race.
Irish riders are hoping to qualify for at least one track event and will thus be aiming to perform strongly in the coming World Cups.
Rugby/Boks still want White to stay:South Africa Rugby are still hoping to persuade Springbok coach Jake White, who has been linked with the England job, to stay on as "director of rugby". White has been tipped to take over at England if Brian Ashton is not given a new contract.
SA Rugby's managing director Jonathan Stones has taken note of comments by White's agent Craig Livingstone that the 44-year-old was in discussions with the RFU to become the next England coach.
Stones said: "Jake and I have spoken twice this week in my office, and I have not changed my view that I would like him to stay on in one way or another in SA Rugby.
"He has asked for some time and this has been given to him. We would certainly like him to stay one way or another. But if he chooses to go overseas to pursue other options, we will wish him good luck."
Boxing/Hopkins may fight Calzaghe:Bernard Hopkins has insisted he "would love" to step into the ring with Joe Calzaghe.
Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren has called a press conference for today when he is expected to announce the bout, although there are plenty of obstacles to overcome.
Hopkins (42), is a famously tough negotiator and pulled out of an agreed 2003 fight with Calzaghe.
But this time around he seems determined to meet the Briton head-on. Hopkins told espn.com: "I would love to entertain his request to fight Bernard Hopkins. I think he understands now and Frank Warren understands that he needs that final stamp of approval from the American boxing writers and the fans.
"He doesn't have that name of that elite opponent from America on his resume."
