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Munster set to confirm new head coach; Ireland seek to defy the odds in Sweden

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

The Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg will host Ireland’s clash with Sweden tonight. Photograph: Jasmin Walter/Getty Images
The Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg will host Ireland’s clash with Sweden tonight. Photograph: Jasmin Walter/Getty Images
Tue Apr 12 2022 - 07:40

Munster are set to confirm Graham Rowntree as head coach within the next 24 hours. Gerry Thornley reports that the province's current forwards coach has been chosen to succeed the Bath-bound Johann van Graan next season. Ronan Kelleher and Andrew Porter have returned to Leinster training ahead of Friday's Champions Cup clash with Connacht. In his column this morning, Gerry Thornley explains why it's worth having an open mind about home-and-away legs in the Champions Cup. Former referee Owen Doyle (Subscriber Only) is looking back at the many brutal collisions that went far beyond legal limits over the weekend when the unacceptable face of rugby was on full show.

Vera Pauw's Republic of Ireland team are away to Sweden in this evening's 2023 Women's World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg. Ireland are currently ahead of Finland and Slovakia in the race for second spot and a play-off place, and Pauw and Arsenal star Katie McCabe are not buying the "how to stop Sweden" marketing gimmick, they have their own plan. Sweden are anticipating Irish skulduggery as Ireland seek to defy the odds.

Rory McIlroy leaves Augusta with plenty of positives "not only for this tournament in the years to come, but for the next few weeks and months because I am playing good golf and finally there is a result to show for it," as well as a payday of €1.62 million, a silver salver and a silver medal for being runner-up and also a crystal vase for the low finishing round. Next up he has the defence of his Wells Fargo title. For Shane Lowry, a tied-third place finish earned a payday of almost €800,000 for his best Masters result, but it also moved him from 49th up to 29th in the updated FedEx Cup standings. He's playing in the RBC Heritage Classic at Hilton Head, this week's PGA Tour stop.

Meanwhile, Fairyhouse officials believe the calendar could work out in their favour ahead of next week's 150th Boylesports Irish Grand National. The hope ahead of Wednesday's latest entry stage, and then Friday's final declaration, is that some horses who exited early at Aintree will try to bounce back at Fairyhouse.