Rugby: World Cup
Gordon D’Arcy knows more than most about the intricacies of centre play - so who better to add weight to the ongoing Sam Burgess debate.
In his column this morning D'Arcy explains why England's Rugby League convert is severely damaging the host nation's chances at this World Cup. The added variables within the rugby union game have shown up the English centre's lack of timing and naivety. The 82 time capped former Irish centre says it simply wasn't possible for Burgess to be ready having only arrived at Bath last October, and any chance he may of had last weekend of impressing against Wales was diminished with the dropping of his club colleague George Ford.
“When Burgess played in the NRL he was so effective because everything was pre-ordained. There is no ruck so he timed the run off the scrumhalf and could get up a 10-metre head of steam and thunder into a player of his choosing. In rugby union there are more variables – rucks, pick-and-goes, the advantage rule – so he only gets three or four metres, and one wrong step forces a break in stride that makes him easier to stop.”
Last night Tonga and Namibia provided a breathless try-fest - in search of a milestone first ever RWC win Namibia had to settle though for a record third try as Tonga ran out 35-21 winners.
Soccer: Champions League
In the Champions League last night Chelsea's poor form continued with José Mourinho's return to Porto proving far from special, well for his team anyway. The man who famously led Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 opted to drop both Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic for the tie, although the reshuffle failed to fire his team as Porto goals either side of a Willian free kick secured a 2-1 win for the home team.
There was similar disappointment for Arsenal as they lost 3-2 to Olympiakos - with the decision to start second choice goalkeeper David Ospina truly backfiring. Elsewhere and Luis Suarez sealed a late comeback win for Barcelona against Bayern Leverkusen.
Tonight the two Manchester clubs are in action, City travel to Germany to take on Borussia Mönchengladbach as United host last year's Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg - neither of the German clubs have had great starts to the season but such has been the form of the Premier League clubs in Europe so far that a result certainly won't be taken for granted.
GAA
Malachy Clerkin has an excellent dissection of the player revolt in Mayo this week. The decision to take a vote of no confidence against managers Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes may not sit well with the traditionalists - but whether the players are right or wrong if they "felt they were not being adequately led they owed it to themselves to do what they could to change their circumstances."
Racing
Four people were arrested in connection with an alleged assault on jockey Aidan Coleman at Southwell racecourse.
The incident occurred after the last race on the card at 5.10pm, the Book Christmas At Southwell Racecourse Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, in which Coleman finished last aboard Sawwala.
Nottinghamshire Police said in a statement two men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, with another woman arrested on suspicion of obstructing police.
What to watch out for:
B'Monchengladbach v Manchester City kicks off in Germany at 7.45pm.
Setanta from 7.30pm
Manchester Utd v VfL Wolfsburg is live on RTE, and BT Sport Europe (as is the City game).
RTE 2 from 7.30pm
