Rugby
While it's a big weekend of Pro12 action – more on that in a moment – Liam Toland this morning uses his column to look ahead to Ireland's Test matches against the All-Blacks.
Toland says it is a huge opportunity for Ireland players, especially with the Lions tour coming next summer, but that Joe Schmidt’s side must reach a new level to compete with New Zealand.
On to Pro12 action and Leinster this evening take on in-form Ospreys with Johnny Sexton and Cian Healy among those returning to the fold. Leinster coach Leo Cullen said yesterday that – while the league campaign is a marathon and not a sprint – this is a crucial game against the high flying Welsh side.
Meanwhile Ulster face the tough challenge of taking on Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.
Golf
Rory McIlroy yesterday showed some of his best putting form as he opened with a round of 68 to sit two shots off the lead at the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
The world number three had a topsy-turvy round which included two double bogeys but rallied on the back nine to roll in four consecutive birdies and finish within touching distance of the leading group which includes Dustin Johnson.
Meanwhile, Bubba Watson has said that he can't influence whether or not Davis Love III will select him as his final Ryder Cup wildcard pick.
The world number seven seems to be caught in the middle of a popularity contest as opinion moves towards Justin Thomas.
Soccer
Wayne Rooney has hit out at his critics, saying that he's heard a lot of "rubbish". The Manchester United captain has come in for a lot of scrutiny after recent performances but he says that he is used to criticism throughout his career and that he is ignoring it.
In domestic action Dundalk take on Derry City tonight in a packed schedule of Airtricity League fixtures.
Candystripes manager Kenny Shiels has said that his team are more fatigued than their opponents despite Dundalk’s European heroics.
GAA
Sinead Farrell this morning looks back at how Dublin can learn from their All-Ireland final replay defeat at the hands of Cork in 2009.
“Mary Nevin set the tone for the second half, and she did it with one sentence,” Gerry McGill recalls. “It was very simple. she stood up and she said: ‘Just before Gerry speaks girls, I just want to say we’ve been here before, we’re here now again, but this time let’s turn the screw.’
Athletics
As the fallout from the Wada leaks continues, Irish Olympian Paul Pollock has defended the use of drug exemptions.
“In the public eye there is a view of all these TUEs, athletes are taking advantage of them . . . there’s doping. I think a lot more work needs to be done to convince the public that the performances they are viewing are genuine. At the minute that is obviously not the case,” Pollock says.
What to watch out for
Pádraig Harrington, Paul Dunne, Ruaidhrí McGee and Michael Hoey continue their second rounds at the European Open in Germany. Sky Sports 4 from 10am.
On the PGA Tour Rory McIlroy will hope his good form on the greens can continue in the second round of the Tour Championship. Sky Sports 4 from 6pm.
Ulster take on Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12. BBC 2 from 7.30pm.
Also in action are Leinster who meet Ospreys. TG4 and BBC Wales from 7.35pm.
In the Airtricity League Dundalk take on Derry City. RTE2 from 7.30pm.
