RUGBY: Ireland captain Keith Wood has been forced to withdraw from the team to play Georgia in the World Cup qualifying match at Lansdowne Road tomorrow (3 p.m.) because of a neck injury, reports Gerry Thornley.
Wood had trained with the squad yesterday morning but following further examination by the Irish medical staff it was agreed that his injury was not worth risking.
His Killaloe neighbour Anthony Foley reassumes the captaincy for the third time, having led Ireland to wins over Samoa last season and against Romania three weeks ago.
Wood's place at hooker will be filled by Shane Byrne, whose position in the replacements is taken by Frank Sheahan, with the knock-on effect seeing James Blaney promoted to the Munster starting team to play Ulster and John Fogarty as understudy on the bench.
FORMULA ONE: Michael Schumacher has rejected claims that Ferrari are ruining Formula One amid fears of a dramatic reduction in spectators at this weekend's United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis.
Schumacher said: "I know it's fashionable to talk about 'Formula yawn' and about Ferrari ruining Formula One with all its wins.
"I can only say that this view is far too superficial. The fact is that we have to fight for our victories. We can't just win whenever we please, just stroll through. I have not gone to a race once this season feeling confident of a win. And only that would be true dominance."
BOXING: Wayne McCullough will fight for the third time of his professional career in his home town of Belfast on November 2nd at the Maysfield Leisure Centre, reports Johnny Watterson. No opponent has yet been decided.
