Result comes first against Scotland
Ireland will find themselves in a difficult position at 2.30pm on Saturday as they try to retain their Six Nations title, with one eye on Wales’ earlier result against Italy and another looking ahead to England’s game against France at Twickenham as they try to determine how many points would give them a sniff of the championship.
However Joe Schmidt is reluctant to allow either game to dictate how his side go about their business against Scotland at Murrayfield, and beating compatriot Vern Cotter's Scots remains the number one priority.
While the party line is the result is all that matters, Ireland are inevitably going to need to rack the points up and a man they'll be looking towards to cross the line is Luke Fitzgerald, who is back on the left wing for his first international start since August 2011.
After last weekend's emotionally draining defeat, Liam Toland feels Ireland must utilise the maul to batter Scotland and control field position, while capitalising the quick ball they are likely to get by making yards after contact - something they were unable to do against Wales.
Spence ready for title decider
Ireland women face a Six Nations title decider against Scotland on Sunday, and secondrow Sophie Spence, the Irish Times sportswoman of the month for February, has been key to the side's smooth transition since last year's mass exodus of players and coaching staff.
Kilkenny facing the drop
2014 All-Ireland hurling winners Kilkenny are facing a relegation play-off after a miserable Allianz League campaign which has seen them lose three games on the spin after an opening victory and they will face either Clare or Dublin as they bid to stay in the top flight.
Meanwhile Darragh Ó Sé has stepped down as manager of Kerry under-21s following Wednesday night's Munster semi-final defeat to Cork with Seamus Moynihan set to take over.
Everton feel the blues in Kiev
Everton's standing as the only English team left in Europe lasted all of 24 hours after they were thumped 5-2 by Dynamo Kiev at a hostile Olympic Stadium last night, losing the tie 6-4 on aggregate.
In the least surprising news of all time, it has been announced the 2022 Qatar World Cup final will take place on December 18th, allowing the traditional St Stephen's Day fixtures to go ahead.
In the League of Ireland tonight St Patrick's travel to Oriel Park looking to topple unbeaten champions Dundalk and kick start their season.
Harrington returns to Honda form
Padraig Harrington's wobble after winning the Honda Classic could perhaps be put down to the celebrations which ensued after his first US Tour victory in seven years, and he's returned to form in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Harrington sits at four under par after an opening round of 68, two shots off the lead of Morgan Hoffman, while world number one Rory McIlroy is firmly in the hunt at two under despite a tricky day with the putter.
What to watch out for:
Cricket
World Cup quarter-final, Australia v Pakistan, Sky Sports 2 from 3am
Football
English Championship, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Derby County, Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm
Scottish Premiership, Motherwell v Hamilton, BT Sport 1 from 7.30pm
Rugby
Under-20s, England v France, Sky Sports 5 from 7.30pm
Golf
Arnold Palmer Invitational, Sky Sports 4, 6-10pm
