James Lowe could be in line to make his Ireland debut against Wales this weekend, with Andy Farrell set to announce his side for Friday night's Autumn Nations Cup opener this afternoon. Leinster's Kiwi winger - who has recently qualified for Ireland on residency - would bring a powerful new dimension to the Irish back three, with compatriot Jamison Gibson-Park also in line to make his full debut at the Aviva Stadium. Meanwhile in his column this morning Gerry Thornley has looked at the curious case of Rhys Ruddock, who turns 30-years-old on Friday but is yet to make a Six Nations start for Ireland. That Ruddock has never been given a proper look-in at Test level, despite consistent performances on summer tours or in the blue of Leinster, is a source of bemusement for many. "For the last year or so he's arguably been in the form of his life. He's never looked fitter or quicker, and under the training ground influence of Stuart Lancaster, has added a change of direction to his powerful running game. As one former Irish backrower puts it: 'I don't know why Rhys Ruddock is not in the Ireland squad. Madness in my opinion. A big, physical brute.'"
Kerry's defeat to Cork at the death on Sunday has blown this year's All-Ireland football championship wide open, with one of Mayo, Galway, Cork or Tipperary now guaranteed a place in the final. And in his column this morning Kevin McStay has suggested there will be one team who will have been particularly pleased to see the Rebels dump the Kingdom out in the driving rain at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. He writes: "Who are the obvious beneficiaries from this once-in-a-generation shock? The easy answer is the remaining teams from Munster and Connacht. But the real answer? Well, it is Dublin of course. The road has cleared big time."
Shelbourne have been condemned to a League of Ireland relegation playoff after they were beaten 2-0 at home by champions Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park last night. That result allowed Finn Harps to leapfrog Shels into the safety of eighth place in the top flight thanks to a 1-0 win over Waterford. Elsewhere in the final round of Premier Division fixtures, Bohemians won 2-1 at St Pat's, Dundalk lost 2-0 at home to Sligo Rovers and relegated Cork played out a 1-1 draw with Derry City.
The US Masters gets underway this week, in what is likely to be the strangest ever edition of the tournament, which will be played in winter and without any spectators present. Indeed, as Ewan Murray writes, a surreal few days are in store: "In many ways it feels as if this tournament is being played through diminished necessity rather than with a broader benefit in mind. A tradition like no other has morphed into a major played in November. The winner of the Green Jacket will not care but the winning putt will probably be met with little more than a cursory nod in Washington Road and Broad Street."
And Ulster continued their strong start to the Pro14 season last night as they routed Glasgow Warriors in Belfast, Dan McFarland's side running out 40-15 bonus point winners. John Cooney was particularly impressive as the hosts ran in six tries and moved within two points of Leinster at the top of Conference A.
