In today's rugby statistics column John O'Sullivan has reflected on Ireland's 24-14 win over Wales, and the efficiency of their play at the breakdown in Dublin. And he suggests their improvement on the floor was down to a change in personnel, rather than an increase in the speed of their ruck ball. CJ Stander's switch from number eight to blindside flanker has also proven inspired, he writes: "Stander was brilliant at the breakdown in both games, his ability to survive the clearing out process underlining his strength and determination. Instead of using him as a primary carrier he's been redirected where possible to chasing poaching opportunities, an area in which he has excelled with two steals against Scotland and three in the Welsh match." Meanwhile Owen Doyle has lamented the performance of referee Pascal Gauzere during England's scrappy 13-6 win over England at Murrayfield, which was played out in brutal conditions. "The breakdown was a shambles, even making some allowance for the weather. It is often thus in France's domestic competition and Pascale Gauzere brought a similar laissez-faire approach to this match. Whenever these two teams meet the post-tackle contest has the potential to produce mayhem, and that's what happened."
Elsewhere University College Cork have retained the Fitzgibbon Cup after they came from behind to break IT Carlow hearts last night, with a 0-18 to 2-11 win at DCU. The defending champions were trailing by five points with 13 minutes to go, having been reduced to 14-men following Niall O'Leary's red card. However they reeled off seven points without reply - Shane Conway at the heart of their comeback - to secure a 40th title.
In her column today Sonia O'Sullivan has looked back on a weekend spent following Leona Maguire as she finished tied for fourth place in the ISPS Handa Victorian Open. And she was impressed by the mental and physical fortitude on show during the joint-LPGA and European Tour event. She writes: "I've never played a full round of 18 holes in my life, only ever made it to nine holes, so this was a bit like watching a marathon, and only knowing what a half marathon feels like. Playing over four straight days is clearly no easy test of endurance either. What I also learned is that golf is also a game of great patience. The concentration and intensity is immense, and after day three I spoke to Leona and she was very happy to have got through the day so well, improving her position to Tied-11th."
Celtic have increased their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 10 points, after they thrashed hearts 5-0 at Parkhead last night. Neil Lennon’s side remain on course for a ninth title on the bounce, after Steven Gerrard’s Rangers were beaten 2-1 away to Kilmarnock thanks to Eamonn Brophy’s 88th minute winner. Meanwhile in the Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion are now six points clear after they came from behind to beat Reading 2-1 away from home last night, Dubliner Dara O’Shea playing the full 90 minutes at fullback.
Phil Healy broke the Irish indoor 200m record at the AIT International meeting in Athlone last night, the 25-year-old running a time of 23.17 to break Ciara Sheehy's record which had stood since 2003. Ciara Mageean was also victorious in the 3,000m on a fine night for Irish athletics.
And Rory McIilroy is hoping to hold onto his newly reclaimed world number one crown as the first round of the Genesis Invitational gets underway at Riviera later today. McIlroy tees off alongside Dustin Johnson and Patrick Cantlay at 3.16pm Irish time, and he is determined to stay on top of the world: "Everyone keeps saying congratulations but the work's only started, it's staying there is the hard part."
