England wins bid to host 2015 Rugby World Cup; Japan gets 2019 tournament

October 9th, 2009 Rugby officials tout game ahead of Olympic voteCOPENHAGEN — Rugby is making its case to join the Olympics, touting the sport as a modern game that can attract young fans. Rugby sevens and golf are on the ballot Friday for inclusion in the 2016 and 2020 Summer Games.

October 9th, 2009 Rugby and the OlympicsRULES — Rugby sevens uses the same rules as traditional 15-a-side rugby union, with two major differences: Each team has only seven players and each half lasts seven minutes (rather than 40), separated by a one-minute break. Also, the scrum involves three players from each team, instead of eight, and conversion attempts after a try must be drop-kicked — instead of them usually being place-kicked.

August 20th, 2009 US trims 13 more stadiums from World Cup listNEW YORK — Thirteen more stadiums have been dropped from consideration for the U.S. bid to host soccer's World Cup in 2018 and 2022, leaving 32 under consideration.

August 2nd, 2009 US defeats Japan 2-0 in Japan Cup softball finalSENDAI, Japan — Jennie Finch has thrown a one-hitter and driven in two runs to lead the United States to a 2-0 victory over Japan in the final of the Japan Cup softball tournament. Finch doubled in two runs in the bottom of the first inning on Sunday, and then struck out eight and walked just one batter in a 97-pitch effort.

July 31st, 2009 US downs Australia in Japan Cup softballSENDAI, Japan — Natasha Watley and Jenae Leles drove in three runs each to lead the United States to an 11-3 win over Australia on Friday in the Japan Cup softball tournament. The Americans took a 9-0 lead over the first three innings before the game was called after the fifth inning under the tournament's mercy rule.

July 27th, 2009 SRINAGAR - Rugby Association of Kashmir has hired a professional American rugby coach to develop the game in the Himalayan region. Gregory Bruce, a former Rugby player arrived in Srinagar on the special request of Jammu Kashmir Ruby Association (JKRA).

July 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Pune will host the men's under-21 World Volleyball tournament from July 31. Sixteen teams will be participating in the tournament, which will be played at the Balewadi Sports Complex and final the will be held Aug 9.

June 26th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester United fans want their new rugby league-style kit seriously touched up before it goes on sale next month. United fan Nick Cooper said: "It looks more like a rugby league strip.

June 25th, 2009 PGA, Turner extend broadcasting rights contractATLANTA — The PGA of America and Turner Sports have extended their broadcasting rights contract through 2019. The two sides announced the deal Thursday.

June 17th, 2009 Donna Shalala joins US World Cup bid groupNEW YORK — University of Miami president Donna Shalala has joined the directors of the bid committee trying to bring the World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022. Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1993-2001, joins a board that includes former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, California Gov.

June 15th, 2009 Churchill Cup: England handles US rugby teamGLENDALE, Colo. — For a moment, the U.S.

June 6th, 2009 Japan is 1st qualifier for 2010 World CupTASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Japan has become the first country to qualify for soccer's 2010 World Cup by beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in a qualifier. Japan advanced with two games to spare and will be appearing in its fourth straight World Cup.

June 6th, 2009 Japan, Australia, South Korea qualify for WCupJapan, Australia and South Korea became the first three nations to qualify for next year's World Cup, joining host South Africa in the 32-nation field. England, meanwhile, put itself in good position to qualify, winning 4-0 at Kazakhstan on goals by Wayne Rooney, Gareth Barry, Emile Heskey and Frank Lampard to improve to 6-0 in Europe Group Six.

June 1st, 2009 MELBOURNE - Former coach John Buchanan has denied suggestions that he had sold out Australian cricket by meeting with English officials last week. London's Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday that Buchanan had met with the English hierarchy and members of their coaching panel to help plot their strategy for next month's Ashes series.

May 29th, 2009 MUMBAI - Indian Rugby Union has announced its first ever women's rugby national squad to take part in the Asian Women's Rugby 7s Tournament to be played at Pattaya in Thailand. The Asian Women's Rugby 7s tourney will be played on May 30 and 31.