Yesterday saw the draw for the pool stages of the 2019-20 Heineken Champions Cup take place, with the four provinces learning their fate ahead of next season's competition. And it was Johann van Graan's Munster - semi-finalists last term - who look to have been handed the shortest straw, as they were landed in Pool Four alongside defending champions Saracens, Top14 side Racing 92 and the competition's solitary Welsh representative, the Ospreys. On paper last year's beaten finalists Leinster have a much easier assignment in Pool One where they will meet Lyon, Northampton Saints and Italian side Benetton; while Ulster will face the mighty Clermont Auvergne along with English duo Harlequins and Bath. Last but not least, Connacht will play familiar foes Gloucester, Montpellier and Toulouse - a clash which will bring back romantic memories of their famous 16-14 victory at the Stade Ernest Wallon in December 2013. The first round of Champions Cup fixtures are scheduled for the weekend of November 15th - a quick turnaround from the Rugby World Cup final on November 2nd.
In this week's GAA Statistics column Eamon Donoghue has looked ahead to his weekend's Leinster SFC final between Dublin and a Meath side who will need to deliver the performance of a lifetime in order to upset the defending All-Ireland champions. And he has analysed the pacy, direct running style of the Royal County - which is a world away from some of their former sides: "Unlike the Meath teams of old, Andy McEntee's outfit are more likely to run a team into the ground than actually knock anybody into it." A number of players will be key to Meath's chances of toppling the Dubs, and none more so than their skipper Donal Keogan, who has made just one kick pass from play in his side's three Championship fixtures so far this summer. However, this doesn't suggest he has had a limited influence: "Against Offaly, Keogan played in the six position he's lined out in. He had 25 possessions which included being fouled for a converted free, he made five interceptions or turnovers, and on four occasions went by his man."
Elsewhere Aidan O'Brien had to wait until the last race of the day to avoid drawing a rare blank at Royal Ascot yesterday, with Southern Hills taking the closing Windsor Castle Stakes under Ryan Moore (7-1). However the day belonged to one man - Frankie Dettori - who delivered two stunning rides to land a 75-1 double. The First came on Raffle Prize in the Queen Mary Stakes (18-1) before he found plenty on Crystal Ocean (3-1) to hold off O'Brien's favourite Magical in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on a sodden afternoon. Today Dettori looks set for another big race win today, with Stradivarius a hot favourite to win back-to-back Ascot Gold Cups (4.20pm).
England are through to the last-16 of the World Cup after they beat Japan 2-0 last night to maintain their 100 per cent group stage record. Ellen White's brace saw Phil Neville's side top Group D in style where they will meet one of the best third-placed finishers - China (Group B), Cameroon or New Zealand (Group E), or Chile or Thailand (Group F) are among the possibilities. There was heartbreak for Scotland however, who are out of the tournament after they threw away a three goal lead to draw 3-3 with Argentina. Florencia Bonsegundo landed the killer blow, as she missed a penalty at the death only to be gifted a second chance, after VAR harshly ruled goalkeeper Lee Alexander had been off her lined when she saved the original effort. Bonsegundo made no mistake second time round. Tonight's action sees Group E and F reach their conclusions, including a clash for top spot between Sweden and the USA.
And New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson delivered a fine captain's knock to steer his side past South Africa in the final over of a thrilling World Cup clash at Edgbaston yesterday. Williamson made a nerveless 106 not out to guide the Black Caps to a nerve-jangling four wicket win in Birmingham, his side reaching their target of 245 with three balls to spare. The Kiwis now top the table, although Australia can move to the summit with victory over Bangladesh at Trent Bridge today.
