The week in review: Sport

THE news that Paul Gascoigne was to return to the England team for a World Cup qualifying match against Norway resulted in a flurry of extra ticket sales. But reports of his new- found maturity were eclipsed by a four-letter indiscretion when a Norwegian television company asked if he had a message for Norway.

However, Gascoigne let his skills speak for themselves on the pitch playing for the full 90 minutes and earning a man-of- the-match award as England, showing an improvement on recent performances, drew 1-1.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all drew in their World Cup qualifiers leaving Wales to set a winning example courtesy of a Mark Hughes goal against Cyprus.

Britain's squad for the rugby league World Cup had the chance to size up their opponents' current form as Australia continued their series of matches against club teams. Allan Langer demonstrated the threat he poses, orchestrating a 52-22 defeat of Sheffield Eagles.

Nick Faldo continued to underline his special talent, cruising to his fifth victory of the year in the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth.

The curiously named World Series took a step, albeit a small one, towards living up to its name when Canada's Toronto Blue Jays became the first team based outside the United States to qualify for the series by beating the Oakland Athletics in the play-offs.