Ireland are looking somewhat like damaged goods going into tomorrow's Rugby World Cup game against Russia, but head coach Joe Schmidt's faith in his squad has not been dented by the defeat in Shizuoka. He explains; "we have to maintain our focus on what's immediately in front of us with these next two games, and then attempt to really reach that level in the quarter-final." Russia's captain, Vasily Artemyev, could so easily have lined out in a green jersey after his time in Ireland. The winger is a folk hero in two separate parishes. The Russian teenager was on course to play international rugby for Ireland until rules and regulations over residency were enforced. He sat down with Gavin Cummiskey to talk about his years in Ireland and everything since.
Despite 10 prosperous Schmidt years we find ourselves back in the same familiar place. That's the opinion of Gordon D'Arcy in his column this morning (Subscriber Only): "It's hard to see them getting beyond the quarter-final. It's hard to accept our last glimmer of hope is regressing to the one-off shock. Again." Former referee Owen Doyle believes that TMOs must play - but not overplay - their part: "As the sharp end of this tournament approaches the importance of accuracy is paramount, it cannot be overemphasised."
Speed is quickly becoming the most important facet of the modern game in both Gaelic football and hurling. From helping "Bonner" Maher to his first All Star to working with Dublin starlet Ciarán Archer - Martin Bennett is teaching GAA players and that speed is a skill: "I'm then dealing with people who've been told 'you're not fast'. I'm saying, you don't know that." Supermac's, the sponsors of Galway GAA, have issued a statement seeking clarification from the Galway County Board on where exactly their sponsorship money has been spent and how the players and management and county board has benefited. Over the past five years they've provided €1.25 million in direct payments plus over €340,000 in ancillary sponsorship.
Meanwhile former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry embarrassed Tottenham as he scored a stunning four goals in Bayern Munich's 7-2 Champions League victory. Spurs conceded seven goals at home for the first ever time in a major competition. Tonight reigning champions Liverpool host RB Salzburg - and Jurgen Klopp expects the Austrian club to discover why, as Barcelona and many others can testify, Liverpool represent "the most uncomfortable opponent you can face".
