The Welsh Rugby Union insists the four regions cannot demand extra compensation for releasing players to the World Cup . . .because they have already been paid it. The professional regions . . . Cardiff, Ospreys, Llanelli Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons . . . want a pay-off of around �1m because their best players will be missing until November.

But the WRU maintain the substantial increase in central funding received by the four regions . . . from a combined �1.8 million to �3.4m for three years until 2009 . . . covers the release of players for international tournaments.

ST HELENS TRIUMPH IN CHALLENGE CUP

The St Helens winning machine ended Catalans Dragons' hopes of a Carnegie Challenge Cup fairytale as they marked the maiden "nal at the new Wembley Stadium with their 11th success in the competition, winning 30-8.

Daniel Anderson's men, who add the retention of this title to the Super League and World Club Challenge crowns that already adorn their trophy cabinet, had been held for 32 minutes by the Perpignan-based side who were making their first final appearance.

Ultimately though, the experience of the Saints side shone through and they notched up five tries, although it was Ade Gardner's touchdown just before the interval that proved to be decisive.

COMMUNITY GAMES ENDORSED

The value of the HSE Community Games to Irish sport has been given a ringing endorsement from a star of the future, and a star of the past.

Dublin teenager Kirsty Keogh (14), from Mulhuddart, who has already won three international caps with the Irish under-15 soccer team, and Tony Griffin, a member of the Clare hurling panel and an All Star winner in 2006, are firm believers in the value of an introduction to sport at an early ago.

Earlier this month, Kirsty, from Drumheath, played for Ireland in Germany against Russia, Denmark and the home team, winning the game against Russia.

"It was the best experience of my life to represent my country and I owe a lot to the experience I got during years competing in the Community Games."

Kirsty got great support from her mother, Louise, and played with Ladyswell soccer club before competing with the girls Mulhuddart soccer team.

Tony Griffin, the Clare hurler, says he found confidence and a sense of self through sport and remembers fondly competing in the long puck with his good friend Shane O'Neill.

US OPENS HIRES SECURITY FIRM

The US Open has hired a security firm run by a former New York City police commissioner, set up a whistle-blower hotline and is taking other steps to make sure it doesn't wind up with a gambling scandal.

The move comes in the wake of a recent betting investigation. The men's tennis tour is looking into suspicious betting on a match involving Nikolay Davydenko, a US Open semi-finalist last year and seeded fourth this year. A British online gambling company voided all bets on a match in Poland between Davydenko and No. 87-ranked Martin Vassallo Arguello after receiving about $7m ( 5.2m) in wagers, 10 times the usual amount.

Meanwhile, Serbian hotshot Novak Djokovic has been earmarked as the man to end Roger Federer's dominance at the US Open this year and stop the world number one from landing a fourth straight title in New York. The 20year-old sensation has been brilliant on North American hard courts this year, winning the ATP Masters at Miami and reaching the "nal at Indian Wells in March.

Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has shrugged aside a tough draw and backed herself to win a third US Open title in New York in two weeks' time. The number 12 seed has, along with her sister Serena, been drawn in the same half of the draw as top seed and French Open champion Justine Henin . . .and rising Serbian stars Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. "If I can match my form at Wimbledon I'll be unbeatable, " said Williams.

VANDENBERG LEADS TOUR DE IRELAND

Stijn Vandenberg is still the one they all have to catch in the Tour of Ireland.He retained his lead at the top of the leader board, despite being put to the test on a number of occasions on the penultimate stage yesterday, which started and finished in Galway after a hectic 232.5kms of racing in Counties Galway and Mayo.

Yesterday's stage victory in Galway went to one of the brightest and youngest competitors in the event, Edvald Boasson Hagen, who has made a commitment to T-Mobile for the next two seasons.

CHOI LEADS WAY IN BARCLAYS

CLASSIC KJ Choi leads the way at the halfway stage in the Barclays Classic in Harrison, New York after shooting a five-under-par 66. Building off an opening-round 64, the Korean stands at 12-under 130, two strokes ahead of American Rich Beem, who shot a 68.

Choi started on the back nine at the Westchester County Club' s West Course, notching one of his four birdies at the 10th. He also eagled the par-four eighth before giving a shot back on his "nal hole.

HURLEY TO MAKE MUNSTER BOW

Garryowen's Gerry Hurley will make his senior debut for Munster against the US Eagles on Sunday in Chicago's Toyota Park (2.10pm). The 23-year-old will partner another debutant, Paul Warwick, who joined Munster this season from Connacht.

Munster coach Declan Kidney also gives first starts to Niall Ronan and Kieran Lewis while Mossy Lawlor is named at full back. The game will see Mick O'Driscoll win his 100th competitive Munster cap.

IRELAND WOMEN BEAT ROMANIA AWAY

The Republic of Ireland Women's squad are firmly back in contention for European Championship qualification after beating Romania 2-0 in Mogosoaia yesterday morning. A brace from Stephanie Curtis over three first-half minutes gave Ireland side three points.

HOCKEY TEAM LOSE OUT TO AZERBAIJAN
Ireland's women lost their final match for a fifth place finish in the European Nations Championship hockey tournament in Manchester yesterday, going down 2-1 to Azerbaijan.