It was raining goals in Tallaght last night, as Ireland women walloped Georgia a record 11-0 in their World Cup qualifier in front of a crowd of 3,552. On the scoresheet for Vera Pauw's side were - *deep breath* - Denise O'Sullivan (hat-trick), Katie McCabe (two), Kyra Carusa, Lucy Quinn, Saoirse Noonan, Amber Barrett, Megan Connolly and an opening own goal by Maiko Bebia. The Republic are now up to second place in Group A - albeit eight points behind Sweden - and have a healthy goal difference of +11. Gavin Cummiskey witnessed a famous night in Tallaght. Elsewhere England showed even less mercy than Ireland as they beat Latvia 20-0 at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium. Ellen White was one of four hat-trick scorers as she surpassed Kelly Smith as the Lionesses' highest ever goalscorer.
The majority of the Munster squad are finally on their way home from South Africa. Further PCR tests yesterday returned four more positive cases of Covid-19, meaning 14 members of the touring party must remain in isolation in Cape Town while the other 34 can fly back to Dublin. On return to Ireland they will face a home quarantine, putting the Champions Cup trip to Wasps on December 12th in further jeopardy. A Munster statement read: "Team management worked tirelessly on securing scheduled flights at short notice and the group are expected to land in Dublin on Wednesday evening. This is a difficult time for all players and staff involved and we are very mindful of their wellbeing and the understandable concern from family and friends at home. The group will be well looked after with team liaisons Warren Morris and Kubaan Lorens remaining on site with medical support provided daily."
In his column this morning Gordon D'Arcy has suggested the lengthy break in the United Rugby Championship during the international window has hit Leinster the hardest out of the four provinces - something highlighted by their 20-10 defeat to Ulster at the RDS last weekend. And this is because Leinster were the bulk suppliers to Ireland during their three Test matches, while the other provinces have seen their headline names return straight to the fold. He writes: "In seasons past they were able to mix and match during the international windows without compromising the ability to get a result because generally speaking their opponents were also missing personnel. That won't be the case under the new format. Ulster, Munster and Connacht are less constrained and currently have the capacity to play a more settled team, rotating when required; injuries notwithstanding. It's akin to what they do in the English Premiership, retaining a frontline core where possible."
Newcastle and Norwich remain firmly encamped in the Premier League relegation zone after they played out a 1-1 draw at a sodden St James' Park last night. Eddie Howe's side got off to a nightmare start as Ireland international Ciaran Clark was shown a straight red card after nine minutes, but they held on to take a 61st minute lead courtesy of a Callum Wilson penalty. Teemu Pukki produced a sharp equaliser with 10 minutes to go but the Canaries couldn't find a later winner against the 10-man Toon. Elsewhere last night lowly Leeds secured a sorely needed three points at home against Crystal Palace, Raphina holding his nerve to score from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute. There are six more top flight fixtures tonight, including Man City's trip to Aston Villa (kick-off 8.15pm) and beleaguered Everton host Liverpool in the Merseyside derby (8.15pm).
Raphinha holds nerve and grabs vital win for Leeds against Crystal Palace
Munster party fly home from South Africa but 14 members remain in Cape Town
Bryony Frost subjected to ‘foul, sexually abusive and misogynistic language’
From glamour to controversies, new book shines light on history of the All Stars
And West Indies great Michael Holding has spoken to Nathan Johns about his book 'Why We Kneel, How We Rise', which is shortlisted for the William Hill sportsbook of the year award. Holding said: "My book is trying to educate the world, black, white, brown, everyone, as to the true history of mankind."
