All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster has been appointed as the new head coach of the national side, succeeding his former boss Steve Hansen. Foster served eight years as Hansen's assistant and his appointment continues NZR's 'continuity planning' in the national side. In his column this morning (Subscriber Only), Gordon D'Arcy explains why a power struggle between coach and captain is an essential dynamic for a successful team, referring to the Ireland team he writes: "tension between the on field and off field leader should be inevitable. Harnessing such exchanges is how a team ultimately measures its success." The former Leinster centre is backing James Ryan to be named as the next Irish captain.
Reigning champions Liverpool secured their place as group winners and their passage to the last-16 of this year's Champions League, with a 2-0 win in Salzburg last night. Naby Keita opened the scoring before Mo Salah's wonder goal sealed the victory for the Premier League leaders. Chelsea also qualified from their group with a 2-1 win over Lille. Tonight José Mourinho's Tottenham take on Bayern Munich, with both teams already qualified Ryan Sessegnon is set to make his debut. Manchester City have qualified as group winners and Pep Guardiola will use their match against Dinamo Zagreb as an opportunity to give Phil Foden only his fourth start of the season.
Michael Duignan was last night elected as the new Offaly county board chairman - the two-time All-Ireland hurling winner, and more recently RTÉ pundit, replaces the incumbent Tommy Byrne who is in his second term in the role. In his weekly column Seán Moran explains how the pace of change within the GAA has never been quicker - and "a new decade dawns amidst accelerating change and diminishing conviction."
Meanwhile both Pat Smullen and Ruby Walsh received "Irish Racing Hero" honours at the 2019 Horse Racing Ireland awards on Tuesday night. The two champion jockeys retired within days of each other in May this year. As anticipated, Horse of the Year honours went to the dual-Aintree Grand National hero Tiger Roll.
