The 2020-21 Champions League group stages got underway last night, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United deserved 2-1 winners away to last year's finalists Paris Saint-Germain. The visitors took the lead in the first-half through a Bruno Fernandes penalty - scored at the second time of asking - before an Anthony Martial own goal levelled things up in the 55th minute. However United rallied and Marcus Rashford was once again the match winner in the Parisian rain, securing all three points with a fine, low, late strike. Elsewhere Chelsea and Europa League winners Sevilla played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, while there were wins for Juventus and Barcelona against Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros respectively. Tonight Manchester City welcome Porto to the Etihad (kick-off 8pm) while Liverpool, without Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk, travel to Amsterdam to take on Ajax (8pm).
In his column this morning Gordon D'Arcy has given a damning assessment of the mercurial talents of Scottish outhalf Finn Russell, following Racing 92's agonising Champions Cup final defeat to Exeter last weekend. Russell had inspired Racing into the final but then played a part in their downfall at Ashton Gate, and D'Arcy believes he should be left out of the travelling party for next summer's Lions tour. He writes: "A European final magnifies the flaws in any individual or team. The Lions series is another level again. Russell might still play his way onto the plane as the third choice outhalf but even that would be an unnecessary risk by Warren Gatland. At the very highest standard of rugby Russell is a liability. That's harsh to say about such a gifted footballer but he literally threw the trophy into Exeter's arms."
Ireland's Six Nations campaign finally resumes this weekend as they take on Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon - a fixture originally scheduled for March 7th. More than seven months on and Andy Farrell's starting XV is likely to have a different look to it, with Leinster back Hugo Keenan potentially in line to make his Test match debut on the wing. Gerry Thornley has given his verdict on the possible matchday 23. Another decision for Farrell to make comes in midfield, with Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw all fit and firing at the same time. And Brian O'Driscoll has suggested while a Henshaw-Ringrose axis might provide more solidity, Aki is the man to offer more cutting edge going forward against the Azzurri.
Elsewhere this morning Seán Moran has reflected on the confusion and misinformation surrounding the effect Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions could have on the intercounty season. Originally the GAA believed they wouldn't be able to stage the All-Ireland championships under Level 5, now elite sport has been given the green light to continue. And, he suggests, the science shows it should be safe for the games to begin: "There has been plenty of misinformation about the risks involved in the actual playing of the fixtures. Had the science concerning on-field transmission not evolved during the summer, there would have been no matches, club or county, played this year."
Golfers around the country are still waiting to see if they need to put their clubs away until December, or if they will still be allowed to play under Level 5. A statement was expected yesterday from the GUI and ILGU, as they seek clarification from Sport Ireland over whether or not courses can remain open. If courses are allowed to remain open, the 5km travel restrictions would likely still apply, writes Philip Reid.
And Dan Martin finished third in the opening stage of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday, the Irish rider making the podium behind winner Primoz Roglic following a hectic summit finish.
