Pints and sporting occassions. They go hand in hand and even more so these days with the multitude of alcohol company sponsors around teams and competitions. So why then, are rules around drinking pints different when it comes to different sports and different countries? Why, for instance, can you drink a pint in your seat at a rugby match in the Aviva Stadium but, if you try the same thing at a football match in the same ground you will be stopped? And is drinking pints in your seat at a match all its cracked up to be? Over the course of the first two Six Nations matches in Dublin some fans have thought that it certainly isn't with complaints about their view being blocked by a constant stream of people in and out of the bar. In this week's consumer column, Ruaidhrí Croke explores the topic. Meanwhile, in the travel section of this week's pages we look at how to get to the Irish Open in May, how to get tickets and where to stay.
Moving on to matters on the rugby pitch and Gerry Thornley writes in his column this morning that England are primed to show their very best when Ireland come to London on Sunday. "A good team has to find different ways of winning, and while there could be plenty of rain about this weekend, it's likely we'll see more of England's potent running game," he writes. That running game is a particular danger posed by this England team and no more so than in the form of the lightning quick winger Jonny May who John O'Sullivan has had a look at this morning. May scored two tries in England's loss to France on the opening weekend and if Ireland afford him any space at all they could be in for a long afternoon at Twickenham. Sunday's match will be the first time Andy Farrell goes up against his native country – and his son – as a head coach and yesterday Leinster scrum coach Robin McBryde said Farrell will be judged only on results and not the style of play.
On to soccer and Manchester United catapulted themselves back into the race for Champions League football last night with an impressive 2-0 victory away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge thanks to headed goals from Anthony Martial and captain Harry Maguire. It was a crucial win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side and it spelled the third time this season that the Norweigan has beaten Frank Lampard. However, the Chelsea manager was not happy afterwards with some of the decisions made both by the referee and VAR after his side had two goals ruled out while Maguire was lucky not to be sent off. This evening the Champions League last 16 gets underway with defending champions Liverpool taking on Atlético Madrid in Spain. Jürgen Klopp's side continue to look unstoppable and a seventh European crown looks well within their capabilities but the German manager says that this evening he wants his team to prove that they are contenders.
Moving on to GAA and Seán Moran writes this morning that the recent bad weather has wreaked havoc with the hurling league schedule and raised questions of what is the competition's best way forward? Meanwhile, the issues of clarity and equality in GAA funding has been called into question by the chairman of Fermanagh's supporters' fundraising club. Ger Treacy has raised questions about the level of funding granted to counties, gate receipts, and coaching and games development at a time when preparation of intercounty teams is closing in on €30 million.
