Connacht’s chance to kick on
Following on from their heroics against Munster Connacht welcome Edinburgh to the Sportsground tonight for a fixture which could well define their season, writes Gerry Thornley.
Pat Lam’s men currently lie in sixth spot in the Pro12 table which, as it stands, would give them the final Champions Cup qualification place, but Scarlets and Edinburgh are snapping away at their heels in seventh and eighth position, meaning tonight’s game could be the most important sixth versus eighth clash ever.
Lam has named just one change from the side who saw off Munster in Galway, with Miah Nikora selected at outhalf instead of the concussed Craig Ronaldson.
The Sexton brother
Jonathan Sexton is the hottest property in Irish rugby and the nation’s collective breath is being held in hope he will have recovered from concussion in time to lead Ireland’s defence of their Six Nations crown.
But while Johnny has been swanning around in Paris his younger brother Jerry has made his senior rugby breakthrough with Exeter Chiefs following a tough education in the physical French ProD2.
John O’Sullivan spoke to the 21-year-old secondrow.
Tuohy deal
Ulster have been given a boost as Ireland international secondrow Dan Tuohy has signed a three year contract extension, which will keep him at Ravenhill until the summer of 2018.
Dublin progress
Dublin manager Jim Gavin is pleased with how his younger players have performed after being given a run out in the opening stages of the O'Byrne Cup, with The Dubs securing qualification to the next round with a game to spare following Wednesday night's win over Offaly.
Galvin calls time
Meanwhile, veteran Limerick midfielder John Galvin has called time on a playing career which began back in 1999, and has admitted he has no interest in continuing his career in order to become the longest serving player in championship football.
Gerrard gap
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said the departure of captain Steven Gerrard will leave a void in his side, and the club need to have a strategy for replacing their talisman.
Hamstring hell
In the blue half of Merseyside, James McCarthy's persistent hamstrings injuries have led Roberto Martinez to instigate a revamp of Everton's medical department.
Fifa rankings
Ireland have been leapfrogged by the mighty Gabon in the latest Fifa world rankings, with Martin O'Neill's side now lying in 65th position, sandwiched between Burkina Faso and Bulgaria.
Evans deal falls through
Ched Evans proposed move to Oldham Athletic has finally fallen through following a sponsors backlash and death threats, with Evans releasing a statement blaming 'mob rule' for the collapse of the transfer.
Bennett Tour bound
In cycling Sam Bennett and his Bora-Argon 18 team look almost certain to get a Tour De France wildcard slot thanks to a new deal which will see the race return to free-to-air TV in Germany.
Big Easy
Big Ernie Els dreams of a fairytale Masters win in 2015 may seem a little farfetched, but he’s definitely started as he hopes to go on in the South African Open.
Els is hosting the tournament, and he made six birdies in his opening round at Glendower Golf Club, Johannesburg, to finish five under par and one shot off the lead of Jbe Kruger and Andy Sullivan.
O’Brien needs a partner
Katie O'Brien, an 18-year-old from Galway with spina bifida and one of Ireland's rowing hopes targeting Rio 2016, is on the lookout for a new doubles partner in time for the first qualification regatta in France in August.
