It looks set to be the Joey Carbery/Conor Murray show at halfback then thanks to injuries to Johnny Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park as Ireland name their team to take on Argentina today. Beyond that, Gerry Thornley predicts that, in a sign of respect for the strength of Los Pumas, Andy Farrell will not ring the changes to the starting XV. Robert Baloucoune coming in on the wing is one of the few expected changes. You can see the full predicted squad here. Keith Earls has rightly received mountains of praise since recently opening up about his mental health struggles in a series of TV and radio interviews. The reaction has come from all quarters, but perhaps one source that surprised even Earls himself has been opposition players coming up to him in the middle of games to say "fair play". The Munster wing has already heard of people who have sought professional help after building the confidence to do so since he spoke publicly. In his column this morning, Johnny Watterson deals with the death of Davy Tweed, the Ulster and Ireland player who became a controversial figure later in life after being accused paedophilia. Tweed's death was followed by glowing tributes from unionist politicians after his own political career, ones that are nauseating after revelations of his behaviour from family members.
It was a strong day for the Irish golfers yesterday across three different tours. At the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Rory McIlroy made a flying start at the tournament which he has already won twice, carding an opening 65 to open up a two-shot lead at the top of the standings. Leona Maguire is only three shots back of the lead at the Tour Championship in Florida. The Cavan golfer had to battle hard at times, but she is well in touch with the leaders at the $5 million season-ending event. Séamus Power is also in a strong position over on the PGA Tour after carding a seven under 63 to sit three shots back of the lead in Georgia.
In her soccer column, Lisa Fallon builds up to Ireland's two World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia later this month. The Finland victory in Helsinki has built up the sense of anticipation, qualification is a realistic goal for this group and the two home games in Tallaght are crucial in terms of the need to secure six points. Fallon also notices how the dramatic finale to the Women's National League caught the attention of many, thanks largely to the exposure offered by TG4's broadcast of the downfall of Peamount, something which allowed Shelbourne to swoop in and steal the title. As Fallon points out, when it comes to women's sport "it further proves that by providing coverage and visibility before responding to the demand, an appetite can be created." Elsewhere over in the UK, the British sports minister Nigel Huddleston has claimed that the recent Euro 2020 (+1) fan trouble in England does not necessarily need to be a death rattle for the combined British and Irish bid for the 2030 World Cup.
Jason Quigley is looking for the fight of his life as he tries to return the WBO middleweight belt to Ireland in his bout with Demetrius Andrade tonight. Quigley knows he is the underdog, but still portrays a steely confidence without engaging in the now customary yet needless trash talking that has dominated boxing of late. In cricket, Curtis Campher is one of five Irish involved in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition which gets underway today. The South African-born all-rounder discusses his journey to Ireland, including the game where he was noticed after telling his Irish opponents of his grandmother from Derry.
