With the 2022 Six Nations now behind us, it's time to reflect on the tournament both on and off the pitch. In his column this morning, Gerry Thornley writes that the action lived up to expectations on the grass but, in the stands in Dublin, it was a different story. Indeed the IRFU were reduced at times to pumping sound in through the PA speakers during the match at Lansdowne Road, such was the lack of atmosphere. "One French visitor last Saturday observed it was more like an outdoor pub, such was the constant traffic with trays in the aisles," he writes. Elsewhere, Owen Doyle writes that the loud nature of Wayne Barnes' constant chatter is a little over the top. "From the number of texts which pinged into my phone I am certainly not alone in thinking that loud continuous communication is over the top, past the point of annoyance and he does himself a disservice," he writes. Meanwhile, reflecting on the last eight weeks, Gerry Thornley lays out his team of the tournament as well as a few other standout moments.
Moving to soccer and it looks likely that Uefa will award the hosting of Euro 2028 to the UK and Ireland after other bids fell by the wayside. This morning Jack Horgan-Jones reports that ministers will be told that rival bids have faded away, with Italy indicating it would seek only to host the 2032 tournament, while Uefa has ended the Russian bid and Turkey has dropped out. Meanwhile, Ireland face in to two friendlies in the coming days with Belgium visiting Dublin on Saturday and Lithuania on Tuesday. After the recent departure of coach Anthony Barry, Stephen Kenny has recruited QPR assistant John Eustace to join his team – a role that comes with huge expectations thanks to Barry's high profile. Finally, Ireland under-21 international Festy Ebosele will move to Udinese this summer after signing a five-year deal which will see him depart Derby.
On to GAA and Seán Cavanagh has backed the current media blackout being implemented by players and says they deserve full expenses. "Tyrone wouldn't have won the All-Ireland last year if they hadn't trained six times a week. If they hadn't been doing things in the morning before they go to work or doing lunchtime sessions, they wouldn't have won the All-Ireland," he says. This weekend sees the culmination of the National Football League with plenty still to play for and five teams battling to avoid the drop from Division One. You can get your head around all of the potential outcomes with our permutations piece.
Finally to golf and Phil Mickelson will miss the Masters this year for the first time since 1995. Mickelson has not played since February and is currently on a break from the game after his explosive comments admitting to using a potential Saudi-backed breakaway league as leverage against the PGA Tour.
