Berbatov could leave, says agent

Berbatov joined Tottenham in summer 2006

Dimitar Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev has told BBC Sport the striker is happy at Tottenham but would be interested in a move to "a big club".

The 26-year-old has been a huge hit since joining Spurs in 2006, but Dantchev said he had spoken to chairman Daniel Levy about his future.

"Dimitar wants to fulfil his potential and win trophies now," said Dantchev.

But Levy has repeatedly insisted he is building for the long term, rather than being interested in selling players.

Fans must understand Dimitar is 27 next month and time is running out for him to play for a club that can match his ambition Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev

The Bulgarian has regularly been linked with Manchester United and his agent's comments came just before the mid-season transfer window opens.

He scored 22 goals in his first season at White Hart Lane, and so far this campaign he has netted another 11, including four in the 6-4 win over Reading.

"His performances for the club are a testament to his commitment to the fans and his team-mates," Dantchev told The Sun newspaper.

"Fans must understand Dimitar is 27 next month and time is running out for him to play for a club that can match his ambition.

"I would like to stress this is not about money. This is about sporting ambition.

"But after Tottenham's bad start to the season, it is unlikely they will have the chance to do something big this season."

US baseball 'rife' with drug use

George Mitchell is a director of the Boston Red Sox baseball team

Dozens of players have been linked to taking performance-enhancing substances in a report on Major League Baseball that alleges a serious drug culture.

Former Senator George Mitchell, who led the investigation, said several All-Stars were suspected of using steroids and human growth hormones.

He also called for MLB to outsource drug-testing and form an investigative arm to pursue allegations of drug use.

In response, MLB head Bud Selig said he embraced all the recommendations made.

Speaking at a news conference, he said that baseball fans "deserve a game that is played on a level playing field, where all who compete do so fairly".

Among those named in the report is Barry Bonds, who was charged last week with lying to a jury about steroid use.

Prosecutors allege that the San Francisco Giants outfielder, who became the sport's record home-run hitter in September, lied under oath when he said in 2003 that he had never knowingly used performance-enhancing substances.

Mr Bonds denied accusations on Friday that he had used a previously untraceable steroid from a San Francisco-based company called Balco.

Batboy allegations

The inquiry was instigated by Mr Selig, the MLB Commissioner, in March 2006, following the publication of a book that alleged the use of performance-enhancing substances by Mr Bonds.

Mr Mitchell's report concluded that there was evidence that all 30 Major League clubs were affected by use of banned substances.

"For more than a decade there has been widespread illegal use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances by players in Major League Baseball in violation of federal law and baseball policy," Mr Mitchell said at a news conference.

"The response by baseball was slow to develop and was initially ineffective, but it gained momentum after the adoption of a mandatory random drug-testing culture in 2002."

The inquiry began after allegations about Barry Bonds surfaced

Those linked to suspected drugs use in the report include some of the sport's biggest stars: Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Eric Gagne, Miguel Tejada, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch and Andy Pettitte.

All the players were invited to respond to the allegations in the report. Whether they will face disciplinary action is unclear, especially as many no longer play in Major League teams.

Any penalties for active players are unlikely to be as severe as the 50-game suspensions given to those who have recently tested positive for steroids.

Mr Mitchell, a former Senate Majority Leader, urged baseball's authorities to look to the future rather than penalising players for past offences, many of which occurred when different policies were in place.

He also called on the public and media not to focus solely on who was named in the report - and for baseball to be allowed "a fresh start".

Internet pharmacies

Several media reports have said that had it not been for a former New York Mets bat boy, Mr Mitchell's report would have been far less revealing, as the players and their union were uncooperative and his inquiry did not have the power of subpoena.

Kirk Radomski was convicted of distributing steroids in April

Kirk Radomski, who pleaded guilty to distributing steroids in April, testified that he provided banned steroids, human growth hormones and stimulants to dozens of players by mail order between 1995 and 2005.

Although none of the allegations are based on positive drug tests, the report cited cancelled cheques, shipping slips and phone records as evidence of the players' involvement.

Mr Mitchell also met district attorneys in Albany, New York, who have been leading an investigation into claims of drugs distributed illegally by internet pharmacies.

Media reports about doping in baseball began in the late 1980s, but the sport did not start testing and punishing players until more than a decade later.

MLB and its players agreed in September 2002 to test for steroids, although penalties were not introduced for positive tests until 2004.

A ban on human growth hormones was agreed in 2005, although there is no reliable test to detect the substances.

Drug-testing criticised

The report also criticised MLB officials and the players' union, and called for major changes in the league's drug-testing programme:

• Appointing an independent administrator or hiring an outside agency to run the sport's drug-testing programme. It is currently run by the MLB in conjunction with the players' union
• Ensuring "state-of-the-art" testing, including introducing additional year-round tests
• Allowing the testing administrator to actively investigate "non-analytical positives" - information which shows a player broke rules in the absence of a positive drug test
• Improving player education about performance-enhancing drugs

Mr Mitchell said one of the most serious consequences was that "hundreds of thousands" of high school-aged athletes had also been encouraged to use banned substances.

Some observers questioned in advance whether Mr Mitchell might suffer a conflict of interest, saying they were troubled by his friendship with Mr Selig and his close affiliation with the Boston Red Sox, of which he is a director.

Mr Mitchell also used to be chairman of the Walt Disney Company, which owns ESPN, the US TV sports network that has paid $2.4bn to televise MLB games until 2013.

Sangakkara makes England suffer

First Test, Kandy: Sri Lanka 188 & 442-8d v England 281 & 9-1 (day four, stumps)

England will face a tough final day in the first Test after Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara struck a majestic 152.

Dropped by Ian Bell on 98, Sangakkara became the first man in Tests to hit four 150s in as many matches before Sri Lanka finally declared on 422-8.

England lost Alastair Cook early on as they reached stumps on 9-1, needing 350 for an unlikely victory in Kandy.

Monty Panesar took 3-132, but Muttiah Muralitharan could prove a huge danger for England's batsmen on Wednesday.

In reality, their target will be to bat out the final day to keep the series all-square heading into the second Test in Colombo starting on Sunday.

But they may have to field a team without leading bowler Matthew Hoggard for that match.

The Yorkshire seamer limped out of the attack with back trouble after sending down two overs after lunch and did not re-appear.

Worryingly, Hoggard missed most of last summer's Tests with similar problems.

The day began with Sri Lanka already holding the advantage on 167-2, with Sangakkara on 30 and Mahela Jayawardene yet to score.

Kumar Sangakkara collated Test scores since July 2006 287 v South Africa, Colombo 14 & 39 v SA, Colombo 4 & 100* v NZ, Christchurch 156* & 8 v NZ, Wellington 6 v Bangladesh, Colombo 200* v B'desh, Colombo 222* v B'desh, Kandy 57 & 192 v Australia, Hobart 93 & 152 v England, Kandy

With the ball already 52 overs old and the pitch playing well, England's seamers knew they needed some luck to dislodge two of the finest batsmen to wear Sri Lankan whites.

But though James Anderson in particular bowled intelligently, fortune favoured the home team in the early exchanges as a handful of edges just evaded either the stumps or the slips.

Once Sangakkara had raised his own half-century and Jayawardene had hit the single to bring up the fifty partnership, Sri Lanka were already looking ominously strong with a lead fast approaching 150 and eight wickets still in hand.

Michael Vaughan eventually turned to Monty Panesar, but initially the pitch provided little in the way of assistance for the spinner.

Both batsmen used the crease well to increase their options and Sangakkara was soon confident enough to skip down the wicket to drive Panesar through the covers for the best shot of the day.

Vaughan initially declined the option of taking the new ball, opting for a few overs of his own spin before lunch.

Jayawardene hit him over the top for four, but there were no other signs of aggression and both batsmen looked hungry for big scores.

Finally, Hoggard returned for one over just before the interval and immediately struck with a loosener angled down the leg-side.

Jayawardene, on 65, got a faint edge and Matt Prior, standing up to the timbers, did well to cling on.

After lunch, the new ball was taken and Sangakkara moved to 95 with a wonderful drive through the covers off Anderson.

But he was suddenly afflicted by nerves and offered Bell the simplest of slip catches off Ryan Sidebottom three runs later.

The unfortunate bowler kicked the crease in anger when the chance was floored.

In the two hours between lunch and tea, 100 runs were added while Panesar took two wickets.

The Northamptonshire left-armer finally struck for the first time in the innings when umpire Asad Rauf upheld an appeal for lbw against Chamara Silva (37).

And an out-of-sorts Jehan Mubarak, who Prior should have stumped on nought, holed out to long-on for nine.

After tea, Sangakkara duly passed 150 on his home ground before fatigue finally set in and he chipped a catch to midwicket off Paul Collingwood.

By then Collingwood had also bowled Prasanna Jayawardene and there was one further cheap wicket for Panesar before the declaration was called.

Cook had fallen in Chaminda Vaas's first over on day one, and history repeated itself when the left-hander played tentatively forward to edge a comfortable catch to first slip.

Vaughan and nightwatchman Anderson somehow survived the remaining four-and-a-half overs but the dismissal had completed a nightmare day for England.

Their batsmen will sleep uneasily knowing the wicket has deteriorated considerably since Muralitharan took a record 710th wicket on Monday.

But Tuesday had belonged to Sangakkara, who has enjoyed an extraordinary run of success since handing over the wicket-keeper's gloves to Jayawardene in July 2006.

In nine Tests since then he has hit 1,529 runs in 14 innings, with two unbeaten double centuries and four centuries, two of those also unbeaten.

India v Pakistan 1st ODI

India 242-5 (47 ovs) bt Pakistan 239-7 (50 ovs) by 5 wkts

Mahendra Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh hit half-centuries to inspire India to a five-wicket win over Pakistan in their opening one-day match in Guwahati.

They put on 105, the aggressive Dhoni hitting eight fours in his 63, while Yuvraj fired six fours and a six in 58.

Both fell near the end but India got to their 240 target with 18 balls left.

Salman Butt gave Pakistan a good start with 50 from 57 balls and Mohammad Yousuf, dropped on nine, hit eight fours in a battling unbeaten 83.

Given the talent of India's batsmen, a target of 240 initially seemed somewhat insufficient, particularly as there were no floodlights to encourage movement for the bowlers.

After Sachin Tendulkar was lbw to a Shoaib Akhtar slower ball in the third over, it quickly became evident that it would not be so straightforward.

Gambhir twice edged a noticeably portly Shoaib - who left an advertising hoarding in need of repair when colliding with it in the field - between keeper and slip to the boundary early in his innings.

But the two left-handers slowly came to terms with the slow surface, Ganguly recording the 50 with a lofted straight drive for six as Umar Gul tried a slower ball.

They were progressing serenely until Ganguly was sent back and the throw from backward square-leg saw him short of his ground by the narrowest of margins.

Four overs later Gambhir missed a straight one from Shahid Afridi that bowled him around his legs and 127 were still needed.

But Dhoni signalled his intentions by flashing at his first ball, which fizzed off the outside edge to the boundary, and the batting side were soon firmly in command again.

Butt was needlessly run out having completed a fine fifty

Yuvraj, who survived a confident lbw appeal from spinner Abdur Rehman, wafted the next ball effortlessly over mid-wicket for six to keep his team well ahead of the rate.

He was first of the pair to fifty, from 66 balls, Dhoni following suit in the next over, and the searing boundaries continued as the 100 stand came up in 129 balls.

With 22 needed from 42 balls, Yuvraj top-edged a sweep to fine-leg and the requirement was 15 from 35 when Dhoni was smartly caught behind off the persistent Shoaib.

There were a couple more moments of anxiety before Robin Uthappa thumped Shoaib down the ground for four and advanced down the pitch to slice the winning runs in style with a six over third man.

When Shoaib Malik elected to have first use of the pitch, Butt played some fluent strokes with the field up for the powerplay overs, taken in one bundle by India captain Dhoni.

Kamran Akmal was not able to score as freely and succumbed playing an ungainly stroke across the line, although replays suggested that umpire Ian Gould, resplendent in old school colonial-style panama hat, was incorrect as the ball pitched outside leg-stump.

After the drinks break, spin was introduced in the form of Harbhajan Singh and he made the breakthrough, although not with any magical delivery.

Having completed his fifty from 56 balls, Butt miscued to mid-off but set off for a perfectly realistic single, only to find Younus Khan rooted to the non-striker's end.

Butt was unable to scramble back as Yuvraj Singh whistled the ball back to Dhoni and with slow left-armer Murali Kartik in operation from the other end the scoring slowed, 16 overs passing by without a boundary.

Yousuf was reprieved when he got a leading edge playing against the spin of Kartik but Ganguly, running back towards mid-off, could not cling on to the chance.

Younus also felt the urgency to accelerate the scoring but succumbed, lofting to long-off.

It took until 35th over for the first six of the innings, a brutal heave over long-on from Afridi as Pathan dropped short, but when spin returned problems mounted for Pakistan.

Having butchered another boundary, Afridi was hopelessly deceived in the flight by Tendulkar and was almost nearer the bowler's end than the crease as Dhoni took off the bails.

Worse was to follow as Malik, wearing eye-catchingly luminous green pads, fell to an eye-catchingly bad shot, hoiking a full toss from Sachin Tendulkar straight to the fielder on the mid-wicket boundary.

Yousuf grinded out a 68-ball half-century, the 200 coming up in the 46th over, but the lack of significant support from his middle-order colleagues proved decisive.

Brazil set to host 2014 World Cup

Brazil are set to be unveiled as the 2014 World Cup hosts on Tuesday.

The South American country is the only nation bidding to host the tournament which is due to be staged on the continent under Fifa's rotation system.

The other South American nations agreed to back Brazil, who have won the World Cup a record five times, as their only candidate in 2003.

Two-time winner and former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo said: "I've no doubt the 2014 World Cup will be in Brazil."

And Zagallo, who won the World Cup as a player in 1958 and 1962, as a coach in 1970 and as an assistant coach in 1994, believes the country has enough time to get ready.

"In seven years Brazil will have new stadiums and we will fix those that need to be fixed," he added.

"Fifa has been here and have seen it is possible to be done."

Brazil have hosted the World Cup once before, in 1950.

They reached the final but were beaten 2-1 by South American rivals Uruguay in front of an official record crowd of 173,830 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, although the actual attendance was estimated to be over 200,000.

Triple injury blow hits Liverpool

Liverpool players Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano all face spells out after suffering injuries in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Alonso (metatarsal) and Torres (abductor muscle) both had recurrences of the injuries which had kept them out for a month before the game.

Alonso limped off after 68 minutes while Torres was replaced by Peter Crouch at half-time.

Mascherano suffered a foot injury and left with his foot in a medical boot.

Manager Rafael Benitez said: "Alonso has suffered the same injury again, the metatarsal, he felt something go in his foot.

"Torres also has a similar injury, a problem with an abductor muscle. Maybe he is not as bad as before. But he could not work as hard as we wanted, we wanted his pace and it was not available.

"He just was not fit. We talked beforehand and he said he was fine. Now we must wait again, he had been out for some time and we have been pushing to get him back, but he has not been right and he still is not right.

"I will need to check with the doctor to see how the players are in the next two days."

Benitez admitted his side paid the price for the injuries they experienced during the game at Anfield.

"We had problems when we lost Torres and then Alonso. We could not control the midfield then, we also had Mascherano with a foot injury and had lost (Mohamed) Sissoko beforehand with sickness," he said.

"In the end there were too many problems against a really good team."

But he praised the contribution of his captain Steven Gerrard who netted Liverpool's goal after a difficult week.

"Stevie has been playing better and this was a very good performance," he added.

"We had a plan to use the strikers wide and for Stevie to attack through the middle with two holding players behind.

"But when we started losing players through injury, it just became too difficult to get forward.

"What pleased me most was the commitment of the players, our supporters should be happy with the efforts they put in against a very good team like Arsenal.

"Arsenal are playing well, a fantastic team. But it is too early, we are six points behind with a game in hand and there is a long way to go yet."

Red Sox claim World Series glory

Boston Red Sox have won the World Series, beating Colorado Rockies 4-3 in the fourth game for a sweep in the best-of-seven series.

It is the second World Series win in four seasons for the Red Sox after they beat St Louis in 2004. Before that they had to wait 86 years for a win.

Veteran third baseman Mike Lowell hit a solo home run and scored twice for the Sox before becoming a free agent.

It was Boston's seventh Series crown overall since it started in 1903.

Lowell blasted his homer in the seventh innings to give Boston a 3-0 lead.

And after Colorado's Brad Hawpe answered with a solo home run, pinch-hitter Bobby Kielty blasted on the first pitch of the eighth innings to seal the Rockies' fate.

The Rockies refused to give in, however, with Garrett Atkins hitting a two-run homer off Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima in the eighth innings to pull Colorado back to 4-3.

But then Jonathan Papelbon, Boston's closing reliever, forced the final five outs.

Colorado's Jamey Carroll cracked the ball deep to left field in the ninth innings, but it was caught for the penultimate dismissal before Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith followed by striking out, touching off a huge Red Sox celebrations.

It completed a remarkable turn-around in form for Boston who had rallied from a 3-1 deficit against Cleveland in the AL Championship series, before winning seven straight games.

"This team has got a lot of heart," Boston team captain Jason Varitek said afterwards.

"We just beat a very, very good team, an excellent team. We had to do the little things, and we were able to."

The Rockies, who won 21 of 22 games to storm into the post-season and their first World Series, never found their stride after waiting eight days for the Series to begin.

And Rockies manager Clint Hurdle admitted: "Boston executed better than us all four games.

"They deserve all the credit. We just got beat by a better team in this series in every way."

Staunton leaves Republic boss job

The Football Association of Ireland has terminated the contract of Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton by mutual consent following an emergency meeting.

Staunton, who took over from Brian Kerr in January 2006, had been under pressure because of poor performances in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The nation's bid to reach the finals ended when his team could only manage a 1-1 draw with Cyprus on 17 October.

Under-21 boss Don Givens will take temporary charge of the senior side.

Their final Euro 2008 qualifier is against Wales in Cardiff on 17 November.

Assistant Kevin MacDonald and goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly have also been axed but Sir Bobby Robson will stay on as International Football Consultant.

Former Leeds and Aston Villa boss David O'Leary is the favourite to take over as Republic boss on a permanent basis, while another former player, Liam Brady, has also expressed an interest in the job.

FAI President David Blood thanked Staunton and his management team for their efforts since taking over almost two years ago.

"They have brought through many young players and leave behind a squad with strong development potential," said Blood in a statement.

But he admitted he was not happy with the lack of success under Staunton's leadership.

The board will select people, with considerable football experience in the professional game, to appoint the new manager FAI president David Blood

"As a member of the three-man committee that made the recommendation to appoint Stephen and his team, I am disappointed that things have not worked out the way I, Stephen or my colleagues on the board expected," added Blood.

"The board will select people, with considerable football experience in the professional game, to appoint the new manager."

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said appointing outside advisers to head-hunt the successor to Staunton was "the way forward".

When it was put to Delaney that it was recognition that the decision on who to appoint should be made by football professionals rather than FAI administrators, he said: "That's a fair point, yes."

Staunton vowed to stay in the job after the Republic were booed off the Croke Park pitch after the game against Cyprus.

However, FAI chief Delaney refused to publicly back him in the wake of another disappointing display and Staunton eventually left his post following a lengthy meeting in Dublin on Tuesday night.

Staunton was something of a shock choice for the post, given his limited managerial and coaching experience.

Surprise at his elevation from Walsall assistant coach to international manager was tempered by the appointment of Robson in the role of consultant and adviser.

It was hoped that Robson's wealth of experience would compliment Staunton's enthusiasm and stature as the Republic's most capped player.

But a 4-0 friendly defeat by Holland last August set the tone for things to come.

A month later, Staunton was ordered from the touchline during the qualifier against Germany, while a humiliating 5-2 away defeat to Cyprus soon followed.

The Republic could only beat minnows San Marino with a last-minute goal in February as their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign completely fell apart.

The Republic are now ranked 32nd in the world, compared to 15th only a few years ago.

Hamilton keen to win 'fair' title

Lewis Hamilton has told that he does not want to win an F1 title through disqualifications for other drivers.

Kimi Raikkonen's win in Brazil secured the world title for the Finn by one point from Hamilton but McLaren are to launch an appeal into the placings.

"To have the world title taken away is a bit cruel and probably not good for the sport," Hamilton told 5live Sport.

"It would feel weird after Kimi did such a fantastic job in the last two races and won on Sunday."

He added: "I want to win it on the track. You want to do it in style, you want to win the race or battling it out for the lead.

"Being promoted after other people have been thrown out is not the way I want to do it."

McLaren are to challenge Sunday's result after fuel irregularities by Williams and BMW Sauber went unpunished by race stewards but Hamilton, who finished seventh, believes he will have more chances to win a world title.

"I'm only 22 and there's going to be plenty more opportunities for me to win the world championship. I have no doubt that we can do that in the future," he added.

"It has been a phenomenal year and it has just been a real pleasure to be part of the team.

"I'm extremely proud of them and of my family and everyone that's supported me to get me where I am."

Earlier, McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso said he would be "embarrassed" if Hamilton won the world title on appeal.

"If he wins the title because of this it wouldn't be fair. I'd be embarrassed for this sport," said the Spaniard.

Alonso gave his backing to Raikkonen as a worthy winner, saying: "Raikkonen is the deserved champion.

"If you have more points, you are the deserved champion, just like in football. Kimi has won six races and Hamilton, like me, has won four."

Drogba 'wants to leave Chelsea'

Didier Drogba is unhappy at Chelsea and wants to leave the club, according to France Football magazine.

In an interview due to be published on Friday, the striker, 29, says morale has plummeted since Jose Mourinho left.

"I want to leave Chelsea. Something is broken with Chelsea," Drogba said. "The damage is big in the dressing room."

But Chelsea said: "Didier signed a new four-year contract last year. As a top professional we're sure he is committed to Chelsea and intends to honour it."

France Football is a well-established magazine in France that awards the Ballon d'Or for the European Footballer of the Year.

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille for £24m in July 2004 and has been the subject of regular speculation since then despite a prolific record with the Blues.

He signed his new deal last November but told the BBC the following month that he had considered leaving the previous summer in the wake of Chelsea's second successive league title.

In the interview, Drogba is quoted as saying he wanted an even earlier exit and will not change his mind even if the club make high-profile signings next summer.

"Nothing can stop me from leaving now," he said.

Drogba says Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan or Inter Milan would be his preferred destination.

"Since the day I arrived, I wanted to leave Chelsea and then again every summer," he said.

"I know that Ronaldinho and Kaka are linked to come next season but even that won't change my mind."

Murray ready for Nadal in Madrid

Andy Murray cannot wait to face Rafael Nadal in front of the world number two's home crowd in the Madrid Masters third round on Thursday at 1900 BST.

The British number one has been in sensational form this week, beating Radek Stepanek and Juan Ignacio Chela for the loss of just nine games.

Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer thrashed Guillermo Canas 6-0 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, third seed Novak Djokovic beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3 2-6 6-4.

The Serb will face Mario Ancic in the next round after the Croat eased past France's Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4 6-3.

Last year's losing finalist Fernando Gonzalez, the fifth seed from Chile, had an emphatic 6-4 6-2 victory over Argentine Juan Monaco.

Murray, meanwhile, will be seeking to join them in the last eight and admits that he will have to serve well to overcome the Spanish star.

Nadal won their only previous meeting, a dramatic five-setter at the Australian Open in January.

"That was one of the best matches I've played on the tour," said Murray. "Probably in a Grand Slam the best match I've played. I was a little bit unlucky in part of the fifth set, had a lot of chances but I didn't take them.

"But indoors, if I serve like I have been, I have a good chance against him.

"I will not be the favourite going into the match, but I feel if I play like I have done in the last couple of matches it's going to be tough to beat me."

Nadal set up the tie by beating Marcos Baghdatis 6-4 6-4 in the second round - his first competitive match since going out of the US Open at the start of September.

The Spaniard believes Murray, ranked 17th in the world, could have been in the top six had it not been for the wrist injury he suffered in Hamburg in May.

Murray was kept out of action for three months and Nadal said: "In my opinion, if he did not have the problem in Hamburg he might have been at this moment the number two, three, four, five, six in the world.

"It was disappointing for him but now he is fighting for a good end to the season. He has played very well in the last two tournaments."

England suffer Terry injury blow

Russia v England
Luzhniki stadium
Wednesday, 17 October
Kick-off: 1600 BST

England captain John Terry is unlikely to play in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia in Moscow.

The Chelsea defender took part in training on Tuesday at the Luzhniki stadium but was unable to complete the session after his knee locked.

Terry had been expected to play despite suffering a broken toe, fractured cheekbone as well as the knee injury.

Head coach Steve McClaren said: "John Terry is almost certainly ruled out - he could not complete the session."

The England captain took part in a warm-up and practice match on Tuesday but broke down after the players split into groups for the final 25 minutes of the session.

Sol Campbell deputised for Terry in Saturday's 3-0 win over Estonia at Wembley and the Portsmouth defender is expected to replace the Chelsea player again.

Even had Terry played against Russia he would have required a minor knee operation to remove some floating bone on his return to England.

The Chelsea defender expects to be back playing a week after having the operation.

England will reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland if they beat Russia. A draw would leave them needing a point from their final game against Croatia at Wembley on 21 November.

McClaren's squad arrived in a chilly Moscow late on Monday. The city had its first snow of the winter at the weekend but the forecast for Wednesday is cloudy, with temperatures of 9C.

A sell-out 80,000 crowd is expected at the Luzhniki Stadium, where the match will be played on an artificial surface. England trained on a similar pitch in Cheshire on Monday.

Massa's new deal ends Alonso link

Ferrari have extended Felipe Massa's contract to the end of the 2010 season.

The announcement ends speculation that there is a place in the team for Fernando Alonso if he leaves McLaren at the end of the season.

Massa joined Ferrari at the end of 2005 from Sauber after initially being signed by the Italian team in 2001.

The 26-year-old has won three races this year and is fourth in the championship, which ends at his home Grand Prix at Interlagos on Sunday.

Massa was handed the Ferrari race drive as team-mate to Michael Schumacher at the start of 2006, since when he has won five times in 34 races.

He finished third in the drivers' championship last year ahead of the likes of Giancarlo Fisichella and his current Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Alonso's relationships with McLaren boss Ron Dennis and team-mate Lewis Hamilton have detioriated this season.

Earlier this month, the Spaniard complained that his team were not giving him "the treatment a two-time champion deserves".

Things had reached rock bottom following the 'Spygate' case which saw McLaren fined £49.2m and stripped of their constructors' points for 2007.

F1's governing body the FIA decided McLaren personnel, including Alonso and test driver Pedro de la Rosa, had used Ferrari data which should not have been in their hands.

It was widely reported that Alonso had warned Dennis he would go to the FIA with fresh evidence if he did not receive top-driver status at the team.

Dennis has already said he would not stand in Alonso's way if he wanted to leave the team.

England wins Rugby Union by 14-9

England coach Brian Ashton paid tribute to his side's "bulldog spirit" after they produced another belligerent display to reach the World Cup final.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked nine points after Josh Lewsey's early try as England beat France 14-9 in Paris.

"We have some bright lads who have been through the mill and you can't buy experience like that," Ashton said.

"These guys won't give up. People talk about a British bulldog spirit and it is very much here in this group."

Following their 36-0 defeat to South Africa in the group stages in France, many critics wrote off England's chances of making an impact at the World Cup.

But Ashton said his players used all of the criticism and their past experience to power past the home favourites at the Stade de France.

"We knew it was going to be tough tonight but we did think we had a side that could go out and beat France.

"We didn't actually get things right in the first half but we were a bit smarter in the second in terms of achieving field position.

"And we knew eventually we would get within sight of their posts and Jonny would kick them over."

The victory was England's first in Paris since 2000, and the size of the achievement was not lost on an emotional Phil Vickery.

"It is just a brilliant day," said the England captain. "To beat France in France in a World Cup semi-final is a huge effort from everyone.

"It was not a fantastic game of rugby, it was two teams desperate to win a game. But it had everything in it - fair play to the boys, they dug in and we had a bit of luck.

"Sometimes in sport things don't make sense and predictions are not right, and it is a very special day when the underdog rises up."

Match-winner Wilkinson, meanwhile, admitted he was not 100% happy with his kicking and insisted England would swiftly turn their thoughts to becoming the first in history to retain the World Cup.

"We have faced some incredible teams in this tournament - and none stronger than the one we have taken out tonight," he said.

"That was an incredible performance by the French and I don't think my body has ever felt so sore.

"It has been a funny story, this World Cup. Some of my kicks have gone over and some have not. But you just go back to it and give it all you have got.

"I had a better time at the end (of the match) - and I'll accept that. But I realise I need to get back working.

"We have learned by going one game at a time. We have a day and an hour to really let it sink in.

"But don't fool yourselves for a second that the guys are not going to be thinking straightaway about going out and winning it next week."

Celtic fined as Dida receives ban

Celtic have been fined £25,000 and AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has been banned for two matches following trouble at the recent Champions League game.

However, the European champions intend to appeal against the penalty imposed on the 34-year-old Brazilian.

Dida collapsed dramatically after a fan appeared to strike him near the end of AC Milan's 2-1 defeat on 3 October.

Celtic were found guilty of a lack of organisation and improper conduct of supporters at the Celtic Park match.

The Scottish champions will pay half of the fine now, while the rest is deferred over a two-year probationary period.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell issued a statement saying: "As a club we feel this penalty is proportionate to the incident in question and a fair outcome.

"We took this matter extremely seriously and following an immediate internal investigation took swift and firm action against the offender.

"Celtic FC will continue to take all organisational, security and health and safety matters as its first priority."

Dida was stretchered off after being confronted by the invading fan and was criticised for overreacting.

Uefa's control and disciplinary body took a dim view of the keeper's theatrics, charging him with a lack of sportsmanship.

"It involved the fan, we don't condone that, hence, the fine for Celtic," said Uefa spokesman Rob Faulkner.

"But at the same time it was fairly clear that what happened after Dida had set off, fallen to the ground and the antics after that were a little bit out of keeping with the incident.

"I think that's why he has come out with a two-game ban."

The incident occurred after Scott McDonald had slammed in Celtic's winner late on after Dida had failed to hold a Gary Caldwell shot.

The fan, who has since been identified and banned by Celtic for life, ran onto the pitch and made contact with Dida, who proceeded to briefly give chase before collapsing to the ground.

He was eventually substituted, with Australian Zeljko Kalac replacing him.

The Italian club's lawyer, Leandro Cantamessa, described the sanctions against Dida as "disproportionate and illogical".

He added: "I have no issue with Celtic but I am only trying to establish a sense of proportion - one is the event, the other is only the effect of the event."

If Dida's ban stands, he will miss the Champions League double-header with Group D leaders Shaktar Donestk.

Tennis chiefs battle match-fixers

Tennis players are to be given 48 hours to tell the authorities if they are approached about throwing matches and risk punishment if they fail do so.

The new 48-hour rule will be adopted by the board of the ATP Tour at its next meeting in November, and will be backed up by a new 'integrity unit'.

The news comes after Andy Murray told "everyone knows corruption goes on" in tennis.

The ATP has already said it will ask to meet Murray to discuss his comments.

Murray told that matches on the men's ATP Tour are being thrown and that all players are aware of it.

"It is pretty disappointing for all the players, but everyone knows that it goes on," said the top-20 ranked Scot.

"It's difficult to prove. They can try their best until the last games in each set and then make some mistakes, hit a couple of double faults and that's it."

The ATP confirmed that it would look into these claims as a matter of great importance, and that it was working with the sport's other authorities on setting up an integrity unit.

"We have asked Andy Murray, through his agent, for a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the claims made public," said a tour spokesman.

"Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and the ATP has shown that it will act where it has information which requires investigation.

It is the responsibility of everyone, without exception, to ensure we have any information about possible threats to the integrity of tennis ATP spokesman

"It will become a sanctionable offence for a player not to provide information that helps the police and the authorities.

"If a player is approached they need to pass on that information within 48 hours.

"Our anti-corruption programme has stringent procedures in place to deal with any suspected corruption.

"It is the responsibility of everyone, without exception, to ensure we have any information about possible threats to the integrity of tennis."

In an investigation for 5live Sport, leading betting companies have expressed concern about the results of several games.

And Murray believes the chance to make extra money is too much for some players to turn down.

He added: "There are some guys who have to come to tournaments every single week and out of their first-round-loser's cheque - about 2,500 euros - they have to pay for their air fares.

"A career lasts probably only 10 or 12 years and you have to make all your money while you're still playing. But it's not really acceptable."

"I personally have never experienced it but, listening to the players talking, it seems it goes on," said the former British number one.

In August, online betting exchange Betfair voided the market on Nikolay Davydenko's match with Martin Vassallo at the Poland Open because of concerns over unusual betting activity.

The ATP Tour launched its own probe as a result.

England fans get Cup ticket alert

England fans have been warned against buying tickets for Saturday's World Cup semi-final with France off disgruntled Australia and New Zealand supporters.

The International Rugby Board says not all tickets are transferable, which means some fans may not get in.

"There is the risk they won't get entry," said IRB spokesman Greg Thomas.

After their win over Australia, around 40,000 English fans could go to Paris for the game with France, who upset the All Blacks in their quarter-final.

The IRB has already put an extra 2,000 tickets on sale for the match but had more than three million hits on its website from fans trying to buy them.

Many more fans are likely to travel to the French capital hoping to buy tickets sold on by people who do not want to go to the game or cannot resist making a profit.

Others will come to savour the atmosphere and watch the game in bars or on big screens being erected in the city.

The early indications are that fans of both Australia and New Zealand will be there, too, despite their country's surprise exits.

The Wallabies were beaten 12-10 in Marseille while the All Blacks, the tournament favourites, slipped to a 20-18 defeat in Cardiff.

"People have reserved and paid for their accommodation in advance, some through official tour organisations, and will also have paid for their tickets," added Thomas.

"They will not be able to get refunds so we would encourage them to hold on to their tickets, stay around and watch the games.

"There can't be many better places to watch rugby than Paris."

France face England at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France on Saturday (2000 BST).

The second semi-final between South Africa and Argentina takes place at the same stadium the following day.

Laporte wary of Wilkinson threat

France coach Bernard Laporte has singled out Jonny Wilkinson as the England dangerman ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash on Saturday.

The fly-half missed England's first two group games through injury but has been instrumental in his side's resurgence, including the upset win over Australia.

Laporte said: "He has come back well. He is the motor of the team.

"England do not perform as well when he is not there. He gives them confidence and plays flat out."

Although England's results - wins against Tonga, Samoa and Australia with Wilkinson in the team, a lacklustre win over USA and a hammering by South Africa without him - seem to back that up, the number 10 has struggled with his kicking.

With the usually metronomic Wilkinson's current success rate running at about 60%, there has been concern in some quarters that England may struggle to turn pressure into points.

England forward Martin Corry dismissed any fears over Wilkinson's form, saying: "He's a class act - there is no doubting that.

"What epitomises him for me is when he had taken a heavy bang against Australia and needed a bit of treatment, he got up to take a penalty on the halfway line.

"He's not bothered about his stats, we're not bothered about his stats - he's still going for the difficult kicks."

Certainly Laporte, who saw his side start the World Cup with defeat to Argentina in the opening game, is not one to underestimate England.

He said: "We have had the same run-up to the game as them. They have gained in confidence.

"They made a recovery when they played Australia, and we did the same when we played the All Blacks.

"And we mustn't forget that this is the team that prevented us from winning the Grand Slam during the Six Nations."

However, Laporte made it clear he will not be looking back at that defeat - or even further back to 2003, when France met England in the World Cup semi-finals and lost 24-7.

"Who can we speak about revenge to?" said Laporte.

"Half of our players now weren't there. What was Lionel Beauxis doing in 2003? He didn't lose against them that day.

"In 2003, we didn't win the match because the English were better than us. In 1999, it is the same, the Australians were better than us in the final.

"We must stop looking for excuses."

Argentina v Scotland

Kick-off: 2000 BST

2149: "The Pumas fans are going crazy. The Argentine players have a huddle in the middle of the pitch before joining their countrymen in the stands. The party is about to begin. What a story this is."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Stade de France

2146: "Congratulations Pumas! Scotland have given a good account of themselves. Obviously disappointed to lose, but at least we got to the quarters and didn't disgrace ourselves.

"Good luck to Argentina for the rest of the tournament."
RR on 606

2143: "Scotland may have lost, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. Another close, entertaining game!

"I'm not entirely sure that the Boks will have seen much there to worry them though..."
OFR on 606

80 mins: Agustin Pichot gets his timing a bit wrong, hoping for the final whistle as he dilly-dallies in his own 22. Scotland get a scrum with their final attack of the match but a knock-on brings the match to a close and Argentina are through to the last four.

Scotland will be left rueing their failure to make their chances stick - this was a game they could have won, but the opportunity is gone.

78 mins: Scotland's forwards go through drive after drive before giving out to the backs, and the pack may well wish they hadn't.

Dan Parks puts a chip kick up for Sena Lamont to chase but there are two covering defenders and the kick was out beyond the touchline. Will they get another chance?

76 mins: Scotland win another kickable penalty when Patricio Albacete dives on top of Sean Lamont on the floor.

With time running out, Dan Parks is told to kick to the corner and he obliges with a brilliant kick to within 5m of the line. We're in for a grandstand finish.

73 mins: Scotland win a penalty as Argentina go in at the side. Dan Parks kicks it to within 7m of the Argentina try-line.

But the line-out goes all wrong as the ball goes over Scott MacLeod's head and Argentina gobble it up.

71 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez is a lucky fella as he sends out a suicidal flick out of the back of his hand to a slipping Felipe Contepomi. Fortunately for the Pumas, Contepomi gets fingertips to it and controls it with his neck (it's difficult to describe) before regaining full control and setting the ball up.

In an alternative universe, that crazy pass went a few inches higher and behind Contepomi and Scotland went through to score under the posts.

70 mins: Another knock-on from Agustin Pichot at the base of the ruck gives Scotland another reprieve.

67 mins: Scotland bring on Hugo Southwell and Scott Lawson, so they have no more substitutions left to make. It's all or nothing.

Meanwhile, Argentina knock on at the base of a ruck as they try to improve the angle for a drop-goal attempt with a series of drives. Scotland need to make the most of that let-off.

65 mins: A horrible error from Scotland full-back Rory Lamont as he lets a kick close to the touchline slide through his fingers and out into touch. Neither of the Lamont brothers has had much to laugh about so far, but there's still time for all that to change.

63 mins: Almost straight from the kick-off, Juan Martin Henandez gets the chance to have a pot at a drop-goal but the kick goes just wide.

62 mins: TRY Argentina 19-13 Scotland
Scotland show that they can play a bit of rugby when the mood takes them.

Craig Smith makes the initial dent but knocks-on. Argentina's Ignacio Corleto chips ahead with the loose ball but Chris Paterson cleans up and launches another wave of attack.

The ball is passed in and out of contact with Fijian-like abandon before Kelly Brown gives the scoring pass to replacement Chris Cusiter in the corner.

Paterson curls in a crucial conversion from the touchline, with the ball coming off the post.

59 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez is doing pretty much whatever he wants with his kicks at the moment, with his latest effort leaving Sean Lamont helpless to do anything other than watch the ball sail just out of his reach.

58 mins: "I feel the Scots are static, not a lot of running with the ball, same as the All Blacks. There's not much initiative and the Pumas dictate the game they want to play. 19-6 and it looks easy going, doesn't it?" Walgert on 606

56 mins: Scotland coach Frank Hadden makes four changes at once, with Chris Cusiter, Craig Smith, Scott MacLeod and Kelly Brown all joining the fray.

They need to make an impact quickly if Scotland are to get back into this game.

53 mins: DROP-GOAL Argentina 19-6 Scotland
This is starting to turn into the Juan Martin Hernandez Show as he follows up an absolutely exquisite touch finder with a drop-goal.

It's a slightly scruffy effort, but it just about makes it through the posts.

The touch finder is worth a par of its own though. The fly-half goes back in the pocket and fires a perfect spiral kick over the head of Sean Lamont which rolls into touch two feet from the corner flag. Brilliant.

51 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez shows there is more to his game than just kicking the ball up in the air.

He sends out an extravagent looping pass to put Felipe Contepomi into space and the centre takes it up before giving the pass to Ignacio Corleto. The pass is just a little too hard though and the ball goes forward, but it's a definite warning sign for Scotland.

49 mins: Excellent quick hands down the blind-side sees Rory Lamont power down the flank but the opportunity goes in a second after Patricio Albacete bursts through the middle of the ruck to snaffle possession.

47 mins: Andrew Henderson takes the ball at pace and gets over the gainline, winning a penalty after Argentina's tacklers refuse to roll away.

It's a long-range kick from just inside the Argentina half, so Dan Parks is given the kicking duties. But his kick is short and wide, and his 100% kicking record goes out the window.

45 mins: A bad misjudgement from Sean Lamont gives Argentina a promising attacking position. Agustin Pichot kicks up the touchline and Lamont sticks out a flailing hand and succeeds only in knocking it into touch and giving Argentina the throw.

43 mins: PEN Argentina 16-6 Scotland
Argentina put the penalty out for a line-out and from the resulting maul, Scotland's pack drags down the rolling maul.

Felipe Contepomi slots the kick and Argentina, without having needed to do anything special, are comfortably in front.

41 mins: Dan Parks kicks off for Scotland, who have Andrew Henderson on in the centre in place of Rob Dewey.

A terrible kick up in the air from Mike Blair goes slightly backwards and leads to a penalty for offside against his team.

2049: "I reckon Scotland have got away with it on the scoreboard. Obviously it's a shame about the needless try, but they have been at least seven points better than us.

"One charge-down went their way, the one at the other end bounced for them too. Third time lucky?!"
Hawick on 606

40 mins: The half-time whistle is sounded with Argentina prop Rodrigo Roncero rather agitated about something or other. The referee gets himself in between Roncero and the Scottish pack and Pumas captain Agustin Pichot quickly calms the situation down.

If truth be told, it's been a fairly tedious 40 minutes so far, although perhaps we've been spoiled by the dramatic matches we've been treated to already this weekend.

38 mins: A great scrum from Scotland inside their 22 as they take one against the head and then win a penalty as Argentina's back row disengages before the ball is out.

36 mins: PEN Argentina 13-6 Scotland
Argentina are penalised at the breakdown and it gives Chris Paterson the chance to kick his first points of the game and maintain his 100% record in the tournament.

34 mins: Sean Lamont takes the ball into contact and just has it ripped from his grasp by opposite man Horacio Agulla. Scotland need to keep hold of the ball better than that.

32 mins: TRY & CONVERSION Argentina 13-3 Scotland
Disaster for Scotland as they hand Argentina seven points on a plate.

Dan Parks takes too long as he tries to clear inside his own 22 and has his kick charged down by Argentina number eight Gonzalo Longo who then regathers the loose ball from under the nose of Sean Lamont and scores.

Felipe Contepomi nails the conversion and Argentina stretch the lead.

29 mins: "It's percentage rugby from both teams, and Argentina are just that bit better at it than Scotland. They are getting the physical nudge on all the time.

"We need to break up the game, tap penalties and the like."
hawick on 606

26 mins: PEN Argentina 6-3 Scotland
Juan Martin Hernandez misses badly with a drop-goal attempt which is fielded 15m to the right of the posts by Rory Lamont.

There should be no danger, but he seems to hesitate and is quickly caught in possession and then penalised for a "squeeze-ball" where he tries to feed the possession back to his team-mates.

Felipe Contepomi slots the resulting penalty to put Argentina ahead, but Lamont clearly feels aggrieved. Did he call a mark which went unheard by the referee?

24 mins: Argentina have a kick charged down inside their own 22 but are relieved to see the loose ball bounce into the hands of their full-back Ignacio Corleto.

21 mins: PEN Argentina 3-3 Scotland
Juan Martin Hernandez, who seems to be at the centre of everything so far, takes the ball into contact and is caught by a clumsy high tackle from Nathan Hines.

The resulting penalty is struck with assurance by Felipe Contepomi and sails between the posts to level the score.

19 mins: Argentina drive 15m with a rolling maul off a line-out on halfway but Scotland reorganise well to stop the Pumas' progress.

16 mins: PEN Argentina 0-3 Scotland
Scotland take the lead as they get points on the board with their first chance of the match.

Mike Blair claims a brave take under the high ball and Argentina's hands in the ruck give Dan Parks the chance to strike from just inside the halfway line.

14 mins: Scotland infringe at the line-out, to give Felipe Contepomi his first shot at goal but his effort from the 15m line goes wide of the posts.

12 mins: Another scrum goes down and this time it's a penalty against Scotland, with Euan Murray singled out bythe referee for a talking to.

Juan Martin Hernandez fires a penalty to within a couple of inches of the corner flag for a superb touch, giving Argentina a line-out 5m out.

10 mins: Sean Lamont busts a couple of tackles and releases the ball to Simon Webster who runs crossfield before a fairly aimless kick upfield. Scotland will need to do a bit more with decent attacking ball than that.

8 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez puts up yet another up-and-under - that's at least four so far, and it looks as though Scotland's back three will be seeing plenty of the ball... coming down from 500 feet in the air accompanied by several Argentine tacklers.

5 mins: Simon Webster comes in on the angle to take the ball off Dan Parks, but the move is all wrong with the pass behind the centre and he knocks on.

4 mins: The first scrum of the game goes down twice, and referee Joel Jutge gives Argentina the free-kick. A quick tap and Juan Martin Hernandez fires up an up-and-under which Rory Lamont cannot quite claim.

There is a Argentina knock-on though, and Scotland clear their lines through Dan Parks.

3 mins: Another mistake from Juan Martin Hernandez as he overcooks his penalty to touch by 5m or so. The ball dribbles out of play beyond the corner flag and Scotland get a scrum in midfield back in Argentina's half.

1 min: Juan Martin Hernandez kicks off for Argentina and Scotland are unable to collect the ball. Agustin Pichot fires a loose pass out to hs fly-half and with 17 seconds on the clock, Hernandez has a shot at a drop-goal but it goes just right of the posts.

El Mago is human after all.

1959: Right then, the anthems are out of the way and we're just about to get under way.

1953: The Stade de France is a sight to behold, lighting up the Parisian night sky.

Add to that the noise of the crowd as the two teams march out onto the field before launching into a jog and you have the makings of another great occasion at this tournament.

Argentina go into a brief huddle before joining Scotland in linking arms and lining up for the pre-match anthems.

1948: The players have done all the warming-up they need to do and are back in the dressing room psyching up for this massive game. We're just 10 minutes away from finding out the final team to reach the last four.

1946: "I am watching ITV and Kenny Logan just won a dance-off. It must be an omen! Good luck Scotland!"
Eckstatic on 606

1944: Let's just remind ourselves about the players on show at the Stade de France:

Scotland: Rory Lamont; Sean Lamont, Simon Webster, Rob Dewey, Chris Paterson; Dan Parks Mike Blair; Gavin Kerr, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Nathan Hines, Jim Hamilton, Jason White (captain), Allister Hogg, Simon Taylor.
Replacements: Scott Lawson, Craig Smith, Scott MacLeod, Kelly Brown, Chris Cusiter, Andrew Henderson, Hugo Southwell.

Argentina: Ignacio Corleto, Lucas Borges, Manuel Contepomi, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla, Juan Martin Hernandez, Agustin Pichot (captain), Gonzalo Longo, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Lucas Ostiglia, Patricio Albacete, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Martin Scelzo, Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Omar Hasan, Rimas Alvarez, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Federico Todeschini, Hernan Senillosa.

1935: "Just had a walk outside the stadium and St Denis is jumping. Cheesy Euro-pop tunes are blasting outside. Not to everyone's taste I grant you, but it does add to the atmosphere.

"In the bowels of the Stade de France I have just bumped into a certain Jonah Lomu. He may have been a superstar in his prime but I reckon I could have taken him down. Actually thinking about it, maybe not.

"The fans that are slowly filling the ground are being treated to replays of yesterday's France v New Zealand epic on the big screens. Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Stade de France

1933: "Argentina are never gonna runaway with a game.

"They are grinders, so I suspect it will be a slow strangle. If Argentina lose their discipline though, they could get themselves into trouble because Chris Paterson is without peer as a kicker."
SP on 606

1923: All of a sudden, rugby union is a very big deal in Argentina.

The success of the Pumas in this tournament has seen the "Superclasico" - River Plate v Boca Juniors, one of the biggest matches in football anywhere - shift its kick-off time to make sure no-one has to miss Argentina's meeting with Scotland.

No pressure then, boys.

1915: "It's a glorious early autumn evening here in Paris. The sun is just setting and there is not a cloud in the sky - it will be a perfect night for rugby. Maybe Scotland will be able to throw off the shackles and give it a lash.

"The kilts are out in Paris. Both the Scots and the French are showing off their legs, and it is some sight I can tell you. The locals are definitely rooting for the Scottish underdogs.

"The bars around the Stade de France are rammed and the sound of drums and brass bands fills the air. The Argentine fans are in full voice, they know their side is just 80 minutes away from booking a place in their first ever World Cup semi-finals.

"The Scotland fans I have talked to are a wee bit concerned about the outcome but if we have learnt anything from this incredible weekend, it is that we cannot take any result for granted. I'm going for a Scotland win, who's with me?"
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Stade de France

1910: Evening all, we're building up to the final quarter-final of an incredible weekend of international rugby.

The match has got plenty to live up to, coming in the wake of epic victories for France and England, while South Africa were pushed all the way by a valiant Fiji side this afternoon.

But Scotland and Argentina will not care if it is 3-0 as long as it their side with the three points to their name.