Spain coach Vicente del Bosque believes that his side and England are among the favorites to win this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

A virus has swept through the England ranks this week and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is determined to leave Twickenham after Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash without the sickening feeling of defeat.

Ireland’s 33-10 defeat to France not only ended the defending champions’ Grand Slam bid but it also halted an impressive 13-match unbeaten run put together by Declan Kidney’s side.

But the Irish still hold an Indian sign over England in recent years with five wins in their last six meetings and O’Driscoll, who will be facing Lions teammate Riki Flutey in the midfield, believes Saturday’s encounter will be balanced on a knife edge.

He said: “England are never a bad side. Any time I’ve played against them and beaten them it’s usually been by one score or less, whether it be one or two points or five on a couple of occasions.

“That just shows you really have to be on your game if you’re to beat them. They showed two years ago over there what they can do.

“Now they’re starting to build some confidence. They’ve got two wins from two now, so it’ll be a tough game

“There’s nothing ever in the game. The only time there was ever anything in the game was that one time when they did beat us two years ago.

“Looking back on all the games we’ve had and we’ve won, we realise that we’ve played pretty well in them and tried to cancel out any attacking options England may have had.”

Full-back Geordan Murphy returns to international action for Ireland in the absence of the injured Rob Kearney while Declan Kidney has selected Jonathan Sexton over the experienced Ronan O’Gara at fly-half.

In the pack, the suspended Jerry Flannery is replaced by Rory Best and lock Donncha O’Callaghan comes in for Leo Cullen, who drops to the bench.

While Ireland were disappointing in defeat against France, England seemed to attract more criticism for their 17-12 victory over Italy.

Statistics made grim reading for the England hierarchy with 35m gained with the ball in hand while only 126 passes were completed compared to Italy’s 138.

But Steve Borthwick, who captains an unchanged starting XV, says the only statistic that counts is in the win column with one more victory equalling England’s best run in the Six Nations in six years.

He said: “Our job is to win rugby matches and develop as a team

“Pressure and criticism comes on this team, but we are a tight group, we go out on the training field and we work very hard.

“Ireland have had success, they have a level of cohesion, they have traits we want but we, as an England team, are developing our own way.”

With less than four months to the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup, FIFA has been alerted to a growing number of e-mails and scams fraudulently claiming to be associated or linked with the World Cup in South Africa and/or FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.

These scams generally inform recipients that they have been selected as lottery prize winners and have won substantial sums of money, or invite recipients to submit a tender. Recipients are then persuaded to:

• Submit personal information or to part with money as an up front payment, or
• Forward money to enable them to enter the tender process.

FIFA strongly advises the public to treat any correspondence concerning lottery draws, tenders or competitions with suspicion and extreme caution and urges people not to provide any personal or financial details if requested to do so.

So watch your emails and make sure that you are betting with a legitimate bookmaker. Take advantage and get your free bets.

Wayne Bridge has made himself unavailable for selection for the England national team, claiming his presence was potentially divisive to the squad. The Manchester City defender released a short statement this morning, which effectively leaves Fabio Capello without both his first-choice left-backs for Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt.

The move comes after details about a relationship between Bridge’s former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel and Chelsea defender John Terry came to light. Terry was ultimately stripped of the England captaincy by Capello, who earlier this week spoke of his optimism that Bridge would continue to play for his country. However, after a lot of soul searching, the 29-year-old feels it is an impossible situation for him to contemplate.

“It has always been an honour to play for England,” said Bridge. “However, after careful thought, I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.”

It was the delicate balancing act Capello knew he was carrying out when he retained Terry in his squad whilst removing the coveted armband. The Italian hoped Bridge would remain involved and was scheduled to see both men in action at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, when Chelsea entertain Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini spoke about the certainty of Bridge’s return to the England fold but there was always a feeling the full-back held a different opinion. Speculation that he would not even shake Terry’s hand prior to this weekend’s game hardly gave credence to the belief any clear differences could be patched up.

“Sadly, for the sake of the team and what would be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection,” said Bridge. “I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks and have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the best in South Africa.”

Capello must now find himself alternatives at left-back given Ashley Cole is presently ruled out for three months with a broken ankle. Attention will immediately fall on Everton’s Leighton Baines, who has yet to win a senior cap but has been in outstanding form for his club and Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock.

World Cup Record: Semi-final 1950

Manager: Vicente Del Bosque
Key Player: Fernando Torres
Qualified: 1st Uefa Group 5
Odds: 4/1

As far as World Cup appearances go Spain has so often flattered to deceive but now the perennial under-achievers have an opportunity to put the record straight in South Africa. Since winning the European Championship in 2008 they have continued their fluid one-touch brand of football and qualified from a group including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey and Belgium by winning every game. Their host of star players includes Fernando Torres, David Villa and Iker Casillas and they have only lost once under current manager, Vicente Del Bosque. If they continue to play as they have over the last two years Spain may finally fulfil their potential at a World Cup.

Fernando Torres

Age: 25
Position: Centre Forward
Club: Liverpool (England – Premier League)
Caps: 71 (23 goals)
Top Goal Scorer Odds: 12/1

Fernando Torres scored the winning goal in Spain’s European 2008 final against Germany and clinched their first major trophy since 1964. Since joining Liverpool he has netted 48 goals in 67 Premier league games. He is a prolific goal scorer who is skilful and can hold up the ball and always makes it difficult for opposition defenders. Born in Madrid in 1984, Torres joined his first team Parque 84 at the age of 5 years old. He went on to represent Spain at all youth levels and came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid (214 apps, 82 goals) before moving to Anfield in 2007. Spain has many star names Villa, Xabi, Alonso to name a few but in Torres they have a natural born goalscorer.

World Cup Record: Quarter-Final 1934, 1938, 1954

Manager: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Key Player: Alexander Frei
Qualified: 1st Group 2 Asia
Odds: 150/1

South Africa 2010 will be Switzerland’s ninth appearance at the tournament with three quarter-finals their best performance to date. A sluggish start to this campaign included a hugely embarrassing defeat at home to Luxembourg, but German coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, turned things around and the Swiss topped a group which included the likes of Greece, Latvia and Israel. In 2006 Switerland created two unwanted records on their way to a last 16 exit: they became the only team to be eliminated from the tournament without conceding a goal and the only team to fail to score a single goal during a penalty shoot-out (against Ukraine).

Alexander Frei

Age: 30
Position: Centre Forward
Club: Basel (Switzerland – Swiss Super League)
Caps: 71 (40 goals)

Switzerland’s all-time record goal scorer with a record of 40 goals in 71 games, Frei is the captain and focal point of the team. Now back at his home town club in Basel, he had spells in France with Rennes and latterly with German club Borussia Dortmund. Frei created a stir in 2004 after cameras caught him spitting at Steven Gerrard during the Euro 2004 tournament. He later showed his contrition by adopting a llama at Basel zoo.

Arsene Wenger claims winger Theo Walcott is being put under “terrible pressure” to be fully fit in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. However, the Frenchman remains confident the 20-year-old will make England’s squad after he made only his fifth Premier League start of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Sunderland.

A series of injuries to his back, knee, hamstring and ribs have hampered Walcott’s progress this season. Wenger has already warned it will take time for Walcott to find his rhythm, but firmly believes the player will be heading to the world finals as part of Fabio Capello’s squad.

“The World Cup is not today,” said Wenger. “It is in June. I think he will make the squad. The problem is that everyone has the England national team in their mind and, because you want to bring the World Cup back to London, you want everybody to be on top today.

“They will be in the long run but when players have been out for a while it takes a while to get back to your best with confidence, sharpness and zip. That will come back with Theo.”

Capello was at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with the media spotlight on Walcott throughout, and Wenger believes the scrutiny puts intense strain on the youngster. “It’s terrible pressure,” said the Arsenal manager. “But that’s the modern media.”

Wenger also believes club success could pave the way for England to have a good FIFA World Cup, with players who approach the competition in confident mood more likely to star for their country in South Africa. “They will be stronger at the World Cup if they come with a trophy and it has been a good a season,” he opined.

“If they have something in their pocket they are in a strong position. We are still in two competitions and the most important thing is we try to do as well as we can.

“Sport is not what happens in six months. What happens now is important to us. I believe what is most important is the players focus on the club and achieve what they can for us.”

Bendtner vow
Meanwhile, Nicklas Bendtner is ready to repay Wenger’s faith in him by firing Arsenal to the title. The 22-year-old scored his fourth goal of the season in the win over Sunderland as the Gunners moved to within two points of second-placed Manchester United.

Wenger opted not to sign a forward last month because of Bendtner’s impending return and the Dane said: “That faith is very important and all I have to do now is show him he made the right choice.

“I am sure he has and I have to show that on the pitch. I have been ready to carry the fans’ hopes for some time – it is nothing new to me. It has been very frustrating because I set myself a target at the start of the season.

“Obviously, because of my injury it has been really difficult to make that target. It is nice to be back scoring again and I need to score two goals in all the remaining games to reach that.”

World Cup Record: Semi-Finals 1930

Manager: Bob Bradley
Key Player: Landon Donovan
Qualified: 1st CONCACAF
Odds: 66/1

This will be the ninth time the United States has reached the World Cup finals, although their best performance remains the third place spot they secured in the first World Cup in Uruguay 1930. A fairly straight-forward qualifying campaign saw the Stars and Stripes finish top of the CONCACAF section ahead of Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica. A number of the US squad will be familiar to Premier League fans with the likes of Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Jonathan Spector, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey all playing in England’s top division. The USA will have good memories of South Africa when they return in 2010, having reached the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup there.They lost the final 3-2 to Brazil but on the way shocked European Champions Spain with a 2-0 win.

Landon Donovan

Age: 28
Position: Centre Forward/ Attacking Midfielder
Club: LA Galaxy (USA – MLS)
Caps: 120 (42 goals)

Hit the headlines in the summer of 2009 after criticising LA Galaxy team-mate, David Beckham for his commitment (or lack of) to the MLS team. However, Donovan’s career deserves more than a mere mention as a sidenote in a Beckham escapade. At 28 he has already notched up 120 caps and more than 40 international goals and his consistency helped Galaxy to the MLS Final in 2009 – although they lost on penalties to Real Salt Lake. Donovan also spent 4 seasons with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen from 2001-2005 and a short spell on loan at Bayern Munich in 2009. Playing either as an outright striker or a link between the front men and midfield, Donovan’s drive and leadership will form the backbone of the USA’s World Cup assault.

World Cup Record: Won 1930 & 1950

Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Key Player: Diego Forlan
Qualified: 5th, South America (beat Costa Rica in play-off)
Odds: 100/1

Uruguay made it to South Africa via their now customary appearance in the play-offs having finished fifth in the South American qualifying zone. Only missing out on automatic qualification after losing at home to Argentina in their final match, so it was that they went to the play-offs again for the third consecutive time, defeating Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate. Winning six, drawing six and losing six, they scored 28 goals – a tally bettered only by the top two, Brazil & Chile. Diego Forlan led the way with seven while Ajax winger Luis Suarez & veteran Sebastian Abreu both hit five. Mainly due to their often brutal displays back in Mexico ‘86, ‘La Celeste’ have always had a reputation among European observers for a somewhat uncompromising approach to the game. This label is probably now a little unfair toward the country which produced such sublime talents as Enzo Francescoli & Alvaro Recoba, and with the emphasis now placed firmly on attack, the class of 2010 now have the opportunity to make their mark.

Diego Forlan

Age: 30
Position: Striker
Club: Atletico Madrid
Caps: 60 (22 goals)

Still remembered in England chiefly for his less than successful stint at Manchester Utd, Forlan’s subsequent move to Spain saw him twice crowned La Liga’s top scorer. 105 goals in 185 games for Villarreal & Atletico Madrid is a much more accurate reflection of his abilities. Often playing against highly competitive sides from South America, his international record of 22 in 60 stands comparison with anything else in the game. A stunning volley against Senegal in 2002 was one of the highlights of the tournament, and his team-mates will be looking for more of the same in South Africa.