It’s all about the rugby this weekend as Ireland look to get their Six Nations campaign back on track when they take on the old enemy at Twickenham tomorrow at 4pm after being outclassed by a stylish French performance a fortnight ago.
England are still on course for a grand slam, and Martin Johnson has kept faith in his team by naming an unchanged side despite their laboured victory over Italy in Rome last time out.
Declan Kidney brings in Jonathan Sexton ahead of Ronan O'Gara while Geordan Murphy returns at fullback. Jerry Flannery’s six-week ban for kicking a French opponent means Rory Best gets his chance at hooker while Donncha O'Callaghan is selected ahead of Leo Cullen in the second row.
To get in the mood France take on Wales at the Millennium Stadium tonight at 8pm, while Scotland travel to Italy for tomorrow’s early kick off (1.30pm) at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome.
Elsewhere, the GAA club championships are now at the business end of the season, and Corofin from Galway take on St Galls from Antrim at 7.30pm in Parnell Park tomorrow night in the replay of the football semi-final.
The National Hurling League is also continuing apace with a host of games around the country. Ties of the round include Kilkenny against Offaly in Nowlan Park and Galway hosting Waterford at Pearse Stadium. Both games are on Sunday, and throw-in is at 2.30pm.
Weatherwise it’s forecast to be cold again this weekend with top temperatures reaching highs of just 8 degrees. Tomorrow will be a mix of sunny spells and heavy prolonged showers over most of the country. Met Éireann has forecast a few showers could turn into sleet or snow on high ground.
For Sunday wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow are likely, and these will be particularly heavy in the west. A raw northeasterly wind will produce significant wind chill during most of the day before easing by nightfall. Monday is expected to continue cold with a severe frost - but dry and bright.
