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Hanrahan set for switch to France; all eyes on Luxembourg

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Munster’s JJ Hanrahan looks set to move to Clermont Auvergne in France. Photo: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Munster's JJ Hanrahan is set to make the move to France, according to reports in the local media. This morning John O'Sullivan reports that the 28-year-old outhalf is likely to agree a two-year deal with Clermont Auvergne as he opts for more game time given the wealth of options Munster possess. Indeed Munster will call on those options tomorrow when they meet Leinster in the Pro14 final at 5pm (you can follow all of the action on our liveblog from 4.30pm). Just a week after leaving the Ireland camp after the Six Nations win against England, teammates will become opponents again tomorrow with Tadhg Beirne yesterday detailing some of the challenges of switching from one system back into another. Tonight Scotland will look to end their 22-year Paris hoodoo and deny their hosts the Six Nations title. France must win by 21 points and earn a four-try bonus point in the rearranged clash if they are to pip Wales to the Championship.

On to soccer and tomorrow is a big day for Stephen Kenny and Ireland as they go in search of their first win 10 games into the manager's regime. Ireland will be expected to beat Luxembourg at home (7.45pm, follow on our liveblog from 7pm) but the opponents may not be quite the pushovers some would expect after they enjoyed some impressive results over the last couple of years. One man likely to start in Dublin after impressing in Belgrade is Josh Cullen. The Anderlecht midfielder says tomorrow's clash is a must-win and he believes there are plenty of positives to take from the 3-2 defeat to Serbia. Luxembourg have traditionally been one of the minnows of European football and have achieved little but they continue to roll the boulder up the hill, as James McDermott writes. Last night Northern Ireland were left frustrated in Parma as their first qualifier ended in defeat by Italy while John McGinn salvaged a late point for Scotland against Austria.

In GAA, Seán Moran reports that the Association believe their turf farm may create an opportunity in the face of Brexit. Purchased in 2018, the GAA's site of around 60 acres in north county Dublin has provided grass surfaces for Croke Park, which are needed for pitch maintenance, especially in the aftermath of concerts. With big costs associated with importing turf and fertilisers from the UK, the possibility of commercially exploiting the facility will become a focus in the future and stadium director Peter McKenna sees the changed trading regime proving positive.

On to golf and Rory McIlroy's slim hopes of advancing to the last-16 of the World Matchplay in Texas are still alive after his 4 and 3 win over Lanto Griffin yesterday. However, Ian Poulter - who thumped McIlroy on the opening day - also won yesterday, beating Cameron Smith comfortably. For McIlroy to advance, he would need to beat Smith in the final group match today while also requiring Poulter to lose to Griffin. One man who won't be around for the weekend is Shane Lowry after he followed his opening day loss to Ryan Palmer with a 2 up defeat to Jon Rahm yesterday.

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Finally, in our film series this morning Keith Duggan is looking back at All the Right Moves, when Tom Cruise graduated from Brat Pack to star turn.

Ruaidhrí Croke

Ruaidhrí Croke

Ruaidhrí Croke is a sports journalist with The Irish Times