Joe Schmidt named his Irish XV yesterday for this weekend's Six Nations opener against England at the Aviva. The Irish head coach went with the same team that beat New Zealand in Dublin last year, with Robbie Henshaw coming in at fullback and a fit again Conor Murray returning to scrumhalf. There's no place among the replacements for either Jack McGrath or Rob Kearney. In Gerry Thornley's team news article this morning he explains: "in all bar three of the last 25 years though, the ultimate champions won on the opening weekend." England have named Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi together in the centre for the first time - Tuilagi starting in his first Six Nations game in more than four years. The powerful centre presents a clear and present danger to Ireland's hopes. Liam Toland's column is looking at the small margins that could decide things on Saturday: "it's Eddie Jones's 80 per cent versus Schmidt's 74 per cent win ratio but regardless of any other statistic; keep England's recycle above five seconds and Ireland will win."
Clare's Tony Kelly has had his one-match suspension confirmed by the GAA's Central Hearings Committee - it's not yet clear whether Clare will take the matter to the Central Appeals Committe. Kelly was dismissed for a head-high challenge on Tipperary's Pádraic Maher last weekend - seen by many viewers and pundits as just a clumsy coming together - but enough for referee Colm Lyons to flash the red card following new directives in 2019 for officials to clamp down on contact around the head.
The January transfer window ended last night, with some Premier League clubs managing to squeeze in some final day business. Barcelona's Denis Suarez completed his loan move to Arsenal for the remainder of the season, Miguel Almirón has become the most expensive signing of the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle United, with his €24 million move from Atlanta United, while Emmet Malone has a round up of all the Irish moves including loan deals for Graham Burke and Scott Hogan.
Meanwhile former Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters took advantage of benign morning conditions to lead the field after the opening round of the inaugural Saudi International. Ireland's Paul Dunne carded a two-under 68 for a share of 31st position after the earlier day, his round including four birdies and two bogeys.
