Ireland head to Paris this Saturday knowing a bonus-point victory would see them crowned Six Nations title winners, but both history and form suggest Andy Farrell's side will have their work cut out if they are to secure the title at the Stade de France. Ireland have beaten France away from home just three times in their last 24 attempts and have never scored four tries when playing Les Bleus on the road. And as Gerry Thornley writes in his column this morning, their chances of doing so this weekend look slim against a vibrant French side inspired by the excellent scrumhalf Antoine Dupont. He writes: "It's as if, at times, Dupont seems to be thinking a second or two ahead of everyone else on the pitch. He also seems to be made of rubber, the way he bounces off both opponents and the ground, and his footwork is outrageous." Meanwhile, England coach Eddie Jones has said he can't guarantee his players will follow Covid-19 protocols ahead of Saturday's trip to Rome: "I can't sit here and tell you 100 per cent we're going to be perfect. But our intention is to be."
Farrell will name his side for Saturday's match on Wednesday, with the fitness of Jamison Gibson-Park, Keith Earls and Rónan Kelleher currently in the balance. One player who is likely to return to the starting XV is Robbie Henshaw, and the Leinster centre is looking forward to lining up alongside his former Connacht teammate Bundee Aki in midfield. Elsewhere, Munster earned a bonus point with a 38-27 win over Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park last night.
Tottenham Hotspur are up to fifth in the Premier League after they eked out a 1-0 win away to Burnley last night, with Son Heung-min's 76th minute header - provided by Harry Kane - proving the difference at Turf Moor. In the day's earlier kick-off Karlan Grant opened his West Brom account to earn the Baggies a deserved point at Brighton, with Aaron Connolly not making it off the bench for the Seagulls. Tonight the Champions League resumes with Liverpool taking on Denmark's FC Midtjylland at Anfield, while Manchester City are away to Marseille. There is also set to be a thrilling denouement to the League of Ireland First Division tonight - seven of the 10 sides are still in the promotion hunt heading into the final round of fixtures.
The rearranged 2020 US Masters is now just two over weeks away, with Rory McIlroy now heading straight for Augusta as he looks to complete a career Grand Slam of Majors. And McIlroy, who finishes tied for 17th after a strong finish at the Zozo Championship, knows what he needs to work on between now and November 12th: "I think it's easier to eradicate bogeys than it is to find birdies . . . the bad stuff, I think that's easier to get rid of."
Defending All-Ireland hurling champions Tipperary get their Munster campaign underway against Limerick this weekend, with their opponents already having one victory under their belt. And Tipp captain Séamus Callanan has made it clear what his side's goal is for the rest of 2020: "It seems so long ago that we won the All-Ireland final. It seems like a lifetime ago now, through the current circumstances. That's the end goal for everyone [retaining the All-Ireland]."
And the Vuelta a España resumes today after yesterday's rest day. Ahead of Stage 7 Dan Martin has reflected on Sunday's arduous sixth stage, which saw him slip to third overall in the wind, rain and cold of Formigal, in the central Pyrenees.
