Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

IRFU to release statement on Sexton and Moore, Arsenal’s title hopes dented by Chelsea, Faugheen the machine and Chris Eubank interviewed

Faugheen and Ruby Walsh en-route to victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Photograph: Getty
Faugheen and Ruby Walsh en-route to victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Photograph: Getty
Mon Jan 25 2016 - 08:21

IRFU to release statement on Sexton and Moore

Leinster’s 51-10 thrashing at the hands of Wasps on Saturday came at a serious price with Johnny Sexton failing a head injury assessment and Marty Moore forced off with a hamstring injury.

TheIRFU are expected to release a statement today regarding the fitness of the two, with Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales taking place a week on Sunday.

Ulster out of Europe

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Ulster are out of the Champions Cup despite stuffing Oyonnax 56-3 in their final pool game after Stade Francais beat Leicester 33-17 yesterday to take the final best runner-up spot.

Arsenal’s title hopes rocked

Arsenal's title hopes took a dent yesterday as they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at the Emirates. Per Mertersacker was sent off early in the first half for bringing down Diego Costa before the forward scored the winner after 23 minutes. Elsewhere Swansea beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park.

Faugheen the machine

Faugheen showed why he is an odds-on favourite to retain his Cheltenham title after destroying stable mates Nichols Canyon and Arctic Fire in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Faugheen's career-best performance, which saw him win by 15 lengths, rounded off an ominously good weekend for Willie Mullins, with victory a procession for Douvan at Leopardardstown, while Un De Sceaux and Vroum Vroum Mag highlighted their Cheltenham credentials at Ascot on Saturday.

Meath win O’Byrne Cup

Meath have won the O'Byrne Cup for the first time in 10 yearsafter they beat Longford 1-17 to 1-11 in Pairc Tailteann. Meanwhile Galway secured the Connacht League with a 2-8 to 0-13 win over Roscommon, and on Saturday Tyrone beat Derry 1-22 to 1-17 to lift the McKenna Cup.

Chris Eubank interview

Johnny Watterson has spoken to the former middle and super middleweight champion of the world Chris Eubank, who remains one of the sport's great characters: "I came here twice. This is not about winning or losing. This is about balls. This is about defiance. Ireland. St Patrick's Day. This is about spirit."

What to watch out for:

Tennis

Round four of the Australian Open continues with Andy Murray taking on Bernard Tomic. Earlier Stan Wawrinka was beaten in five sets by Miles Raonic. (Eurosport 12am-1.45pm)

Cricket

The fourth day of the fourth Test between England and South Africa in Centurion is underway with the tourists looking to remove the Proteas cheaply in their second innings. (SS2 8am onwards)