After a few weeks off in the wake of the Lions tour to South Africa, the rugby season is back in the northern hemisphere - with the four provinces returning to action this weekend.
The Pro14 has been rebranded as the United Rugby Championship, with four South African franchises joining the usual suspects for the upcoming campaign.
And as Gerry Thornley writes in his column this morning, the jury is out on the impact the new format will have: "This rebranded competition has had more than its share of makeovers and not only is there no title sponsor to replace Guinness after they walked away, the format is not especially supporter friendly. It remains to be seen whether the advent of the South African teams will galvanise the tournament in quite the manner anticipated."
Meanwhile a daunting itinerary awaits Ireland: “In between Japan and Argentina, the All Blacks are due to come calling next November for the first time since their 2018 defeat in the Aviva stadium, and a first meeting since their 46-14 win over Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals.” Trips to Twickenham, the Stade de France and New Zealand await in 2022.
The Republic of Ireland women are looking to end a run of seven-consecutive defeats tonight, as they take on Australia in a friendly in Tallaght (kick-off 7pm, RTÉ 2).
All eyes will be on Chelsea striker Sam Kerr as she earns her 100th cap - something which will give the visitors extra motivation, according to manager Tony Gustavsson: "She is not just a phenomenal and world class footballer she is a phenomenal and world class person as well. Her influence to this team on and off the pitch can't be described in words. After training I did say this will be her 100th game and a game she will remember for the rest of her life and we as a team want to give her the best memory possible. We want to play for our captain, extra much, tomorrow."
Former Mayo footballer John Casey has slammed the online abuse faced by the county’s players in the wake of their All-Ireland final defeat to Tyrone on September 11th. The Mayo county board released a statement on Sunday night condemning “a number of personal attacks,” with captain Aidan O’Shea coming in for particular criticism.
Speaking to Keith Duggan, Casey said: "Are you telling me those players aren't hurt enough without having to read that bullshit? That is the part that galls me. Those players will be in a desperate place. I have been there and I know what it feels like. It took me months and months to get over that final in 1996. You are laying blame on yourself; I have never watched the video but you get flashbacks of mistakes you made that could have altered the result."
With the new United Rugby Championship approaching Gerry Thornley is assessing the hopes of each of the provinces - starting today with Ulster, who are looking to earn their first silverware since they won the Celtic League in 2006.
Ending that long wait might be difficult, however: “A tough Champions Cup draw has also pitted Ulster away to Clermont in their opening game, when a defeat would leave them no margin for error in their ensuing games against Northampton at home and away, and the return fixture with Clermont. They may also have drawn the short straw in being handed their trek to South Africa immediately after the Six Nations, thus meaning internationals such as Iain Henderson will not be taking part in that safari.”
As the Ryder Cup creeps ever closer, Rory McIlroy is expecting a hostile challenge on US soil: "It's becoming tougher to win on the road as it becomes more partisan. You are not just playing the other team, you are playing the fans and especially this year where European fans cannot travel. That keeps it interesting in the sense that a road win feels much more meaningful."
And there are 10 League Cup fixtures tonight, including Manchester City at home to Wycombe Wanderers and Liverpool away to Norwich (both 7.45pm).
