Munster were forced to cancel training at Thomond Park and at their High Performance Centre in the University of Limerick after an academy player tested positive for Covid-19. This is the first professional rugby player in Ireland to test positive for the coronavirus. Six contracted players – one of whom is part of the senior squad – have commenced a period of self-isolation. Things are in a worse state in France however, with up to 25 Stade Francais players and staff reported to have tested positive for Covid-19. Australia have received another boost in their bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with World Rugby set to announce the next two men's and women's tournament hosts at the same time. Russia also intends to bid to host the tournament.
Leipzig are into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their short history after a shock 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon last night. United States midfielder Tyler Adams grabbed the winner with a deflected shot in the 88th minute, to set up a semi-final clash with PSG. Europe's old guard meet tonight when Barcelona face Bayern Munich at the Estadio da Luz in the highly anticipated pick of the Champions League one-off quarter-finals. There are also two Airtricity Premier League matches tonight, Dundalk host Waterford at 5.45pm before Cork City v Sligo Rovers at 7.45pm.
Harold Varner III shot an eight-under 62 to share the first-round lead with Tom Hoge and Roger Sloan at the Wyndham Championship, as the prospect of the magic number 59 proved elusive. Shane Lowry, in 131st spot heading into the Wyndham, and needing to move up inside the top-125 to make the FedEx Cup playoffs, was two-under par after an opening round of 68. Séamus Power, like Lowry trying to break into the top-125 on the points list, was also two under par through 16 holes of his first round when play was suspended due to inclement weather. Jonathan Caldwell impressed with a three-under-par 68 in the Celtic Classic at Celtic Manor outside Newport in Wales. He's four shots off the first round lead of long-hitting Belgian Thomas Pieters. Leona Maguire made her return to the LPGA Tour, completing 14 holes after play was delayed due to fog, and before it was suspended due to fading light. At which stage she was in tied-48th on two-over-par.
Meanwhile He Knows No Fear created history at Leopardstown when winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at the phenomenal odds of 300-1. Mark Selby turned the tables on a frustrated Ronnie O'Sullivan as he fought back to take a 9-7 lead in their World Championship snooker semi-final. And Johnny Watterson spoke to the new face of Irish cricket, Curtis Campher, about his Derry roots and the bit of Jo'burg dog in him. Read that interview here.
