Image source, Getty Images

Paul O'Connell tore his hamstring during Ireland's World Cup victory over France in October.

The 36-year-old moved to French side Toulon after the tournament having being released early from his dual Munster and Ireland contract, though he didn't regain fitness and hasn't played a for the French club.

After his World Cup ending injury, an Irish Rugby statement said: "Paul O'Connell suffered a significant hamstring injury and will undergo surgery this week.

"Paul will not play again at Rugby World Cup 2015 and his time out of the game will depend on the outcome of the surgery."

O'Connell, who led Ireland to successive Six Nations titles, has now retired from all forms of rugby.

Paul O'Connell added: "Since sustaining the injury at the World Cup I have been fully focused on returning to fitness and starting an exciting new chapter for both myself and my family in Toulon. Unfortunately this will no longer be possible.

"I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for more than 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success.

"I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.

"I would like to thank everyone who has supported the teams I have been a part of.  The support you have shown me is humbling and an immense source of pride for both myself and my family."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Ireland captain Paul O'Connell has announced his retirement from rugby.

"It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice," O'Connell said in a statement.

Image source, Getty Images

Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will play at Queen's in June.

The 14-time Grand Slam title winner lifted the Aegon Championships as part of a treble in 2008, when he also won the French Open and Wimbledon titles.

"I love playing at The Queen’s Club and I am very happy that I will be back this year,” said Nadal.     

He joins defending champion Andy Murray in the line-up. 

Would you support a walkout over ticket prices at your club? Don't answer... just vote. Top-right on desktop, via the voting tab on your mobile device.

Image source, Getty Images

Two men who know their football have been on Radio 5 live breakfast talking about the ticket price dispute at Liverpool.

All-round footballing legend and West Ham great Trevor Brooking says: "I think a lot of fans are looking at next year’s broadcast revenue and saying 'are ticket prices needing to go up?' Not just at Liverpool but at a majority of the home grounds. The atmospheres makes the Premier League. It won’t just be a debate about Liverpool”.

Meanwhile former Reds boss Roy Evans said he hoped it doesn't become "a massive saga".

"I hope Liverpool are big enough to work it out. It seems ridiculous that prices do go up," he said. "Somewhere along the line it’s got to stop being all about money and go back to being a sport. They can’t keep taking the supporters for granted.”

Image source, Getty Images

Birmingham manager Gary Rowett will be donning running shoes on 24 April when he competes in the London Marathon.

The 41-year-old will be taking part in the event to raise money for Liam's Smiles, a charity set up by Blues goalkeeper Colin Doyle's wife Becky to raise funds for meningitis research.

Their son, now five, was only weeks old when he contracted the life-threatening condition.

Sports reporter Richard Gibson on the situation at Rotherham, who sacked manager Neil Redfearn yesterday.

The Times' chief football writer Henry Winter raises an interesting point.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have been told to forget about appointing Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri as their new manager in the summer, reports the London Evening Standard., external

But the Daily Express, external claim Juventus are ready to give Manuel Pellegrini a route out of Manchester City this summer - which would pave the way for Allegri to go to Chelsea.

Hillary: Football dynasties are being established by the likes of Atletico Madrid, Leicester..

Needle & Thread: Both. If the price tags on big players are an accurate reflection of talent, Leicester doesn't happen

Martin Cooper: Football lost its head years ago! The Rotten Game!!

Image source, AP

Following the dismissal of Derby County head coach Paul Clement, first-team coach John Peacock and head of tactical analysis David Burke have also left the club.

Former Rams academy director Peacock, 59, returned to the club to join Clement's new-look coaching set-up last June after working for the Football Association.

Image source, AP

Middlesex have re-signed Adam Voges for the 2016 season, with the Australia Test batsman committed to spending two periods with the club around his anticipated Australian commitments and the availability of Brendon McCullum.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are moving closer to a £200m takeover after talks with an American consortium.

The group, led by former San Diego Padres owner John Jay Moores and fellow entrepreneur Charles Noell, have been in talks with Toffees owner Bill Kenwright in recent months.

Moores and Noell were previously interested in investing in Swansea.

The pair have spent six weeks taking a close look at Everton's accounts.

Papua New Guinea beat Ireland by 11 runs in the third and final Twenty20 international at Townsville.

Ireland had already wrapped up the series after winning their previous two encounters.

Image source, Getty Images

On the back of Liverpool ticket prices and Derby sacking Paul Clement after what seems like five minutes in charge, today's debate is this...

Is your club broken or beautiful?

Whereas Liverpool fans might think the former, Leicester fans are probably very much be in the latter camp.

Whoever you support, let us know your view about your club.

Use the hashtag #brokenorbeautiful, external and get busy sending in your views now. We'll publish the best.

It's not taken long for this, has it? Here's a comment to the Premier League's official tweet about their new logo...

BBC Radio 5 Live

It's West Ham versus Liverpool tonight, and if the Reds win it will be the last ever cup game to be played at the historic Upton Park.

The Hammers are moving to the Olympic Stadium and club legend Sir Trevor Brooking is aware of the significance of the occasion.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live this morning, he said: “The fans would love a good cup run. It’s important for Liverpool too as they’re probably not going to catch up to the top four.  

"Whoever comes through this has Blackburn away which will be tough but they’ve avoided one or two of the other big guns in the Premier League.

"West Ham, at home, under lights, with the great atmosphere… I’m hoping West Ham can edge it. The fans are desperate to get to the semi-final or the final at Wembley, that’d be awesome."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea must reach the final of the Champions League or the FA Cup to save their season, says goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

"We play in the Champions League and FA Cup against two great sides and we have to try to win those games because the only way to save our season is to reach the final in one or both of them," said the Blues number one.

"Obviously every time we don't win in the league and there is one game less, there is less chance to get into the top four.

"We will see where we are with five-six games in a row and see whether we can get there or not."