Six Nations begins
So, here we are. The 2015 Six Nations championship begins tonight. Just one more day of work to get through before the fun begins.
The Ireland team which will begin the tournament defence against Italy in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico tomorrow was named yesterday and is as expected, with Ian Keatley taking the number 10 jersey in the absence of Johnny Sexton, while Jordi Murphy starts in the backrow at number eight alongside Sean O’Brien.
Ahead of his side's first match, Joe Schmidt spoke to Gerry Thornley about the 15 men he has picked to do battle tomorrow, and the best - and worst - case scenarios.
Millenium curtain raiser
While Ireland don't get going until tomorrow, the tournament starts in earnest in Cardiff's Millenium Stadium cauldron at 8.05pm tonight, with Stuart Lancaster likely to look to his pack to get England a result.
New-look women
Ireland's women also begin their Six Nations campaign tonight, as they take on Italy in Florence at 6pm. Gavin Cummiskey will be at the game with Tom Tierney's side looking for a positive start to life without Fiona Coghlan and Lynne Cantwell.
U20s in the snow
Also kicking off at 6pm this evening is the Under-20s side, who will be led by scrumhalf Nick McCarthy in the snow of Biella in Northern Italy.
Tiger forced to retire in Calfornia
Tiger Woods' miserable return to golf has continued as he was forced to retire from the Farmers Insurance Open in California just 11 holes into his opening round and two over par after his troublesome back flared up again.
Padraig Harrington is five shots off the lead of Nicholas Thompson after he carded an opening three under par round of 69, while Shane Lowry struggled to three over through 15 before he was forced off due to bad light.
In the Malaysian Open Peter Lawrie carded a second round 66 which helped him soar up the leaderboard and into a tie for third place, while Graeme McDowell is currently level par for the day through 11 holes.
Queen’s to contest expulsion
After both Queen's and Sligo IT were expelled from the Sigerson Cup for issues over player eligibility, it looks like the Belfast University are set to challenge the decision, writes Sean Moran.
Walsh returns
Meanwhile, Tommy Walsh, who recently returned to the Kerry panel after an injury-plagued stint in the AFL, will make his first start for his county since the 2009 All-Ireland final when his side take on Derry on Sunday.
Gort want revenge
Tomorrow Gort take on Ballyhale Shamrocks in the All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals, with the Galway club looking for revenge after their defeat in the 1984 All-Ireland final.
Ghana through amidst crowd toruble
Ghana are through to the African Cup of Nations final but their last four win over hosts Equatorial Guinea descended into chaos as home supporters launched missiles with eight minutes to go after their side went 3-0 down, causing play to be suspended for more than half an hour.
What to watch out for:
Rugby:
Wales v England, Millenium Stadium, RTE 2 & BBC 1, 7.30pm onwards (KO 8.05pm)
Golf:
Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines, Sky Sports 4, 8pm-Midnight.
Not a bad night in.
