Heaslip back for Leinster
Leinster have been given a boost ahead of their vital Champions Cup clash against Castres Olympique tomorrow with Jamie Heaslip being declared fit to play after recovering from a shoulder injury which forced him off in the win over Ulster earlier this month.
The man mountain number eight is a physical freak, managing to stay relatively injury free despite being a main battering ram for province and country, and he spoke about getting to grips with the unfamiliar territory of the Leinster physio rooms.
Gopperth starts at 10
Jimmy Gopperth will start the RDS fixture at outhalf with Ian Madigan starting at inside centre, while Marty Moore returns at tighthead, alleviating Matt O'Connor's front row problems.
Munster missing Murray
It's bad news for Munster however as Conor Murray has been ruled out of their final must win European fixtures against Saracens and Sale Sharks due to a neck injury, meaning Duncan Williams will wear the number nine shirt for tomorrow's trip to the Allianz.
Muldowney enjoying Galway
Connacht face Exeter at the Sportsground on Sunday as they look to secure a Challenge Cup quarter final spot, and secondrow Aly Muldowney, who is settled and enjoying his new life in Galway, is looking forward to facing his old side.
Aki’s ankle
Pat Lam has been dealt a blow though with centre Bundee Aki being ruled out for between eight and 10 weeks after a scan showed the ankle injury he picked up in the Pro 12 defeat to Edinburgh requires surgery.
Dawson moves on after nightmare
Rochdale midfielder Stephen Dawson, who was incorrectly accused of being involved in a spot-fixing scam while playing for Barnsley, spoke to Emmet Malone about his nightmare nine months and how despite having his name cleared he is still looking for answers over why he was implicated.
Central Council meeting
With the agreement the club football and hurling competitions need to be condensed into one calendar year now pretty much unanimous alls that needs to happen is to work out how this can be done, which could prove to be problematic.
A Central Council meeting held tomorrow will consider a proposal to do that, starting in 2016, with Paraic Duffy, Liam o'Neill and Donal Og Cusack all ready to make their recommendations.
Director needs to call truce
Paudie Butler, the GAA's national hurling co-ordinator until 2011, believes one of the most pressing matters facing a national Director of Hurling would be to ensure a truce is called in the civil war between football and hurling.
Don’t ban college representation
Meanwhile UCD development officer Dave Billings, who also served as a Dublin selector for most of the last decade, has said progress can be made on easing the burden on young players without necessarily banning them form representing their colleges.
Pairc Ui Chaoimh grant
Munster council has announced a grant package of €3.75million for the redevelopment of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, with work due to begin on the Cork stadium later this year.
Rory off to a flyer
Rory McIlroy got off to a strong start in the Abu Chabi Golf Championship as he shot a five under 67 in his first competitive round of the year, putting him alongside playing partner Rickie Fowler and three shots off the lead of Martin Kaymer. He tees off at 8.05am our time today.
Tour for Brammeier
After the news the MTN Qhubeka team will be making its Tour de France debut this July, the squad confirmed Irish champion Matt Brammeier will sign a contract with the outfit.
Don Cossack headed for Cheltenham
Cheltenham awaits Don Cossack after he continued his fantastic season by winning the Ladbrokes Ireland Kinloch Brae Chase as Thurles after Champagne Fever fell at the final fence.
