With Johann van Graan departing for Bath in the summer and Stephen Larkham heading back to his native Australia with the Brumbies, Munster were able to bring some much-needed stability their coaching set-up yesterday as it was confirmed Graham Rowntree has signed a two-year contract extension with the province until 2024. Rowntree joined Munster as forwards coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and he has been coy over any ambitions he might have to climb the ladder at Thomond Park. He said: "I'm not wanting to have conversations about this today, it's not right today. As I keep saying, the club and the IRFU both know my aspirations in my coaching career, put it that way. It's not something I want to talk about today." Meanwhile the Champions Cup, United Rugby Championship and next month's Six Nations all risk being thrown into disarray by Covid-19 again. From January 15th the French government has mandated that all sportspeople must be fully vaccinated in order to play, while South African players are also facing additional visa requirements to enter the country. As is stands, the EPCR still plans for the next round of European competition to go ahead.
Novak Djokovic is set to defend his Australian Open title later this month, after the 34-year-old yesterday confirmed he has received a medical exemption in order to compete Down Under. All players at the year's first Grand Slam must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to compete - or have the exemption. Djokovic is bidding to secure his fourth-consecutive Australian title - his 10th overall - and a record 21st Slam.
Chelsea welcome Tottenham to Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tonight (7.45pm), and Romelu Lukaku could feature after Thomas Tuchel confirmed the Belgian striker is back in the first team squad. Lukaku yesterday issued an apology to Chelsea fans for a controversial interview he gave to Sky Italia in which he expressed his desire to one day return to Milan with former club Internazionale. Blues boss Tuchel said: "There will be some discipline action and he will accept it. It's not a small thing, it's not the biggest thing and it doesn't make a comeback impossible - absolutely not. This is what we prove now. But something happened and he will be fined and he needs to accept it." Meanwhile Liverpool have requested for the first leg of their semi-final against Arsenal on Thursday to be postponed after they were forced to cancel training on Tuesday due to coronavirus cases within their squad.
And England have staged a mini-fightback on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney. Having won the toss and chose to bat the hosts reached 111-1 before James Anderson took the wicket of Marcus Harris for 38 and Mark Wood removed Marnus Labuschagne for 28, to leave Australia on 117-3 after 44 overs of a rain-affected day.
