Rugby: Schmidt answers questions
The ongoing rugby doping debate continues this morning as Gavin Cummiskey asks Irish head coach Joe Schmidt whether or not, from his own experiences, a problematic doping culture exists in Irish rugby.
“Due to the recent Laurent Bénézech book suggesting supplement abuse in France, and the fact you coached at ASM Clermont Auvergne for three years, do you think there is a problem in France and what is your opinion on the furore around this alleged abuse in rugby, be it at underage or the elite level?”
Schmidt's former team, Leinster, have been buoyed by the news that Harlequins will be without English captain Chris Robshaw and first-choice outhalf Nick Evans when the English club travel to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
As the Irish province look to reverse last weekend's disappointing European Champions Cup result when they travelled to face the same team and lost out 24-18, flanker Rhys Ruddock admits his team are hurting and subsequently targeting a quick rebate.
One man who struggled at times in that encounter, nonetheless typically turning things around to a degree as the game progressed, is prop Mike Ross.
The tighthead has compromised to extend his contract for another season, despite initially insisting upon two. Not to worry though, as with a clear successor yet to emerge for the much-experienced Ross it's likely similar negotiations will be transpiring again next winter.
Munster scramble
After Gerry Thornley broke the news yesterday that Munster's JJ Hanrahan is likely to depart the province at the season's end for a new start at Northampton, head coach Anthony Foley has been quick to stress that the province are still keen on securing the youngster with a new contract to extend his stay at Thomond Park.
This weekend they face the ominous task of travelling to Clermont Auvergne, a week after the French side sacked them on home turf. For captain Peter O'Mahony though, "We can pull the jersey back on and try to make it right. We have to be a lot better physicality-wise, that's certainly one area we have to improve on, and the breakdown..."
Soccer: Manchester heroics
Last night Premier League champions Manchester City completed a remarkable Champions League turnaround to qualify out of their group following back-to-back wins over Bayern Munich and then Roma last night.
Samir Nasri's thrilling strike from distance, followed up by a second goal through defender Pablo Zabaleta, sent the very small City crowd who had made the trip into wild celebrations. They started the game without stalwarts such as Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero.
Fellow English club Chelsea also completed their group qualification last night, albeit in far simpler fashion. A somewhat second string eleven still managed to ease past Sporting Lisbon in Stamford Bridge.
We have compiled a round-up of all last night's Champions League action, in which the pick of the other six games was Barcelona's crucial win over PSG where Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez were all on the scoresheet.
Awards-a-plenty
Mary Hannigan has revealed the updated nominees for this year's Sportswoman of Year award, with Stephanie Roche and Aileen Reid the latest to join the likes of Katie Taylor amongst the contenders.
Whist taking up more pages this morning is none other than Joe Schmidt, he’s been named as Irish Sports Manager of the Year, and deservedly so.
The Kiwi becomes the only foreign rugby coach to claim the award, fending off the likes of Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and Katie Taylor's coach Peter Taylor.
GAA: Offaly challenge
Offaly senior football champions Rhode have the unenviable challenge of taking on reigning club champions St Vincent's in this weekend's provincial decider. Manager Pat Daly insists his team will go into the encounter full of confidence - and why not, they can call upon the services of Niall McNamee.
“I think Niall is one of the top 10 forwards in Ireland,” says Daly. “He’s a serious player. If we’re training say at eight, Niall would be there half an hour before, popping balls over the bar. And he’d be the last man popping the ball over the bar that evening...”
The Irish Examiner have reported that Dublin's young dual player Cormac Costello will again opt for the big ball this summer. Costello made a big push for Jim Gavin's team last summer, but has a significant hurling pedigree too.
The 2015 Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup draws were made yesterday, with DCU and Jordanstown being paired for a mouth-watering first-round duel in the Sigerson competition.
Cillian O’Connor, Paddy McBrearty, Colm Begley, Marty Clarke and Ronan O’Neil are amongst the big names from those two teams - it won’t be for the faint-hearted.
There’s good news for Ulster football today as The Irish News reveal that former Fermanagh All Star Barry Owens is set to return to the intercounty fold ending his short-lived retirement plans.
Racing: Split Ruby
Ruby Walsh will leave it as late as possible before making a decision on his St Stephen's Day destination.
Two of Willie Mullins’ stable stars, Champagne Fever and Faugheen, are due to be in action at Kempton while Vautour is on target to run at Leopardstown on the same afternoon.
“I can’t be in two places at once so we’re going to have to make a call closer the time.”
To Formula 1 and the Daily Telegraph have revealed the surprising news that former world champion Jenson Button, who was expected to lose his drive with British team after disappointing season, will still be driving for McLaren next season.
Athletics: Investigative reports
Meanwhile in the Guardian have exposed the son of Lamine Diack, the president of the world governing body of athletics, after he's appeared to have requested a payment of $5m in the course of Doha's failed bid to win the right to host the 2017 world championships, "according to leaked emails seen by the Guardian."
While the Telegraph claim to have been shown copies of the full documents exposed this week by German broadcaster WDR, which accused the International Association of Athletics Federations of failing to act on its own findings in around 150 cases of abnormal readings.
The list, independently sourced by Telegraph Sport, was revealed on Tuesday to include the name of one of Britain’s biggest athletics stars.
“Further analysis of the documents shows that many more of the best-known names in the sport provided suspicious blood samples which may not have been acted upon, with the list including: 225 athletes from 39 countries; three Britons, as well as a staggering 58 Russians and 25 Kenyans; three London 2012 champions and scores of gold medallists from other Olympics and major championships....”
Over in the States the controversy continues as Dave Hannigan explains how a concussion law suit could endanger the future of high school football.
A suit filed has authorities admitting the case could result in schools opting to drop gridiron altogether.
