Sexton back for France
Joe Schmidt has been handed a boost after Racing Metro sources confirmed Ireland's talisman Jonathan Sexton is on course to return in time for his side's second Six Nations game at home to France on February 14.
Sexton hasn’t played since picking up a head injury during Ireland’s autumn international win over Australia in November but is now more than halfway through his advised 12-week lay-off and should receive the all clear to return to full contact from Parisian neurologist, Dr Jean-Francois Cherman, in time for the visit of Les Bleus.
Blues boost
Leinster have also received good injury news as Rob Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings and Marty Moore all came through a training session on the artificial pitch at Donnybrook yesterday.
Robbie’s alright
Connacht are on the up and at the heart of the Galway revolution is Robbie Henshaw. Gerry Thornley spoke to a young man who has the rugby world at his feet but is constantly dogged by rumours of a move away from the Sportsground.
O’Leary back from Irish
With Conor Murray set to be absent from Provincial duty during large swathes of a World Cup year, Munster are set to re-sign former scrum-half Tomas O'Leary from London Irish.
Earls fit for Zebre
Meanwhile Keith Earls is set to make his first start of the season against Zebre this weekend after recovering from a knee injury picked up in the Ireland camp in August.
Cunningham questions proposals
Galway boss Anthony Cunningham has questioned new hurling proposals which would see a player who traditionally would be sent off for picking up a second yellow card substituted instead.
The proposal is one of 15 made by a review committee headed by former Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy, and was put forward because "we don't have cynical fouling in hurling."
O’Byrne Cup
The second round of the O'Byrne Cup takes place tonight just three days after the opening fixture for 14 of the 16 sides involved, with the pick of the ties seeing Offaly travel to face what is likely to be an experimental Dublin team.
Lukaku eases pressure
A late Romelu Lukaku goal helped ease the pressure on Everton boss Roberto Martinez last night as the Toffees managed to force an FA Cup third round replay after a 1-1 draw with West Ham at Goodison Park
Gerrard would have signed
Meanwhile America-bound Steven Gerrard has said he would have signed a new Liverpool deal if it had been offered to him the summer but the club didn't open contract discussions with him until November.
Bony for blues
Manchester City are closing in on Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony in a deal worth €32 million as they look to bolster a severely depleted forward line.
Roche leaves France
Fifa Puskas award contender Stephanie Roche is to leave French club ASPTT Albi six months from joining after she struggled to settle in her adopted home town.
Gilgamboa for Arkle
Gilgamboa is on course to put his Cheltenham festival credentials to the test in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown at the end of the month, while Willie Mullins is using this weekend's Punchestown Grade Two feature to give exciting novice Douvan a stepping stone for Cheltenham glory.
Third world nation
Professor Niall Moyna, from Dublin City University's centre for preventative medicine, says despite the great strides made by the Sports Council in the last 20 years Ireland remains a third world sporting nation.
Slattery’s log
Justin Slattery gives you his race log from leg three of the Volvo Ocean Race from Abu Dhabi to China, including his run in with the Iranian Naval Patrol.
