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Triumphant return home for MotoGP champion Casey Stoner... Can Jonny and co. do it again... England in the brink of another Rugby World Cup final... But first crucial qualifiers against Estonia and Russia for England's footballers. SOCCER ENGLAND SOUNDBITE: (English) "Yeah you know, of course I think that if we can get three points on Saturday and then go to Russia and get a good result then we will be happy with the two games." SUPERCAPTION: Wayne Rooney, England striker. SOUNDBITE: (English) "All England games are big you know, the last two were the biggest two and now these two are the biggest two so the important thing is the performance in this one I think. If we play well we know we will win the game, we need to keep concentrated and keep going and keep performing well." SUPERCAPTION: Joe Cole, England midfielder. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Its understandable but also frustrating. You know there is a lot of rubbish that gets talked as well, there are a lot of facts that are wrong, I mean what the operation was and how long it is going to take to get back and the actual rehab after it as well. I mean there has been so much rubbish spouted about it since. The main thing is that I am fit, I am fine, I played for my club on Sunday and its an international week and I am available for selection for England as well." SUPERCAPTION: Michael Owen, England striker. SOCCER RUSSIA Russia were given a boost as they prepared to face England in a Euro 2008 qualifying match next Wednesday, when their coach, Guus Hiddink, confirmed he would continue to guide the team until 2010. Hiddink put an end to speculation linking him with a possible move to English Premier League club Chelsea. The Dutchman says he's fully focussed on Russia's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and next week's crucial match against England in Moscow. Last month, England beat the Russians 3-0 at Wembley to take over second place in Group E from Hiddink's men. They have a chance to avenge that defeat next Wednesday and Hiddink says only one result will satisfy him. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We know what we have to do - we have to win. With a draw we are depending on other results but step by step we like to be in command regarding the first national team. So, just one task for the team, for us - that's winning." SUPERCAPTION: Guus Hiddink, coach of the Russian national team Russia are third in Group E on 18 points, two behind England and five behind leaders Croatia. MOTOGP AUSTRALIA Newly-crowned MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner received a hero's welcome on his return home for the Australian race at Phillip Island this weekend. By finishing sixth in Japan three weeks ago, the Ducati rider clinched his first world crown with three races to spare. Stoner, who turns 21 next week, will be aiming for his ninth victory of the season at the Phillip Island circuit. He says he's delighted to be spearheading the sport's growth in Australia. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Yeah, I mean, I think just motorcycling in general. I think us three Aussies (Stoner, Chris Vermeulen, Anthony West) have really picked it up this year and we seem to have a lot more support, a lot more people taking notice, even people that have always watched, you know, the footy on the TV have really started to take notice of the bikes and I think it's really good. And for sure, the whole image is starting to pick up in Australia and we definitely noticed it when we got home." SUPERCAPTION: Casey Stoner, 2007 MotoGP World Champion. Meanwhile, some of the riders took time out to get acquainted with Australia's wildlife. Japanese 250cc rider Hiroshi Aoyama was among those who made a furry friend at a local koala park. RUGBY ENGLAND England coach Brian Ashton says his side will have to step up again in performance if they're to beat France in their Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris on Saturday. The defending world champions stunned Australia 12-10 in Marseille last weekend, with fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicking all of England's points. England were written off by many after being thrashed 36-nil by South Africa in the pool stages, but they're now one win away from reaching a second consecutive final. While Ashton was delighted with his team's improvement against the Wallabies, he's looking for an even better performance against France. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We need to improve in all areas, we know that. We've got to step up again this week from the game last week. I can't imagine we'll catch France off guard as we seemed to catch Australia off guard last Saturday. And they'll be fully prepared - host country, home stadium, crowd behind them. We're going to have to go up a gear or two and we know that. So, we'll be looking to improve in all areas." SUPERCAPTION: Brian Ashton, England coach Ashton has named an unchanged side to take on France, who not only knocked out tournament favourites New Zealand last weekend but also beat England twice in warm-up games before the World Cup.   <저작권자(c)연합뉴스.무단전재-재배포금지> England stars look to crucial qualifiers