The start of this year's behind-closed-doors Six Nations is creeping ever closer and Ireland have sights firmly set on Wales at the Principality Stadium on Sunday. In his column this morning Gerry Thornley writes that this young French side look primed to end their Six Nations drought but they will face stiff competition from Ireland and England. "If any of the celts is best equipped to take it to France and England it is Ireland. Paul O'Connell could be an inspired appointment, especially if it sharpens up Ireland's lineout," he writes. Speaking of Paul O'Connell, much has been made of his appointment ahead of the tournament and this morning Johnny Watterson and Gavin Cummiskey look at why he is tailor-made for the forwards job. "When O'Connell swept into his Irish forwards coaching job just weeks ago it was wearing his player-warrior super hero suit; a leader, a captain, figuratively and physically substantial." The O'Connell move is one which has certainly excited Mike Catt with the Ireland attack coach saying yesterday that he's already learned a lot from the former Munster player.
Moving to soccer and the last-minute transfer deals were still being worked through late into last night and the early hours of this morning with Shane Long one of those to make a last-minute switch. In a move announced two hours after the window closed the Irish forward joined Bournemouth on loan while Southampton landed Takumi Minamino and Liverpool bolstered their defence with the signings of Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak. Earlier it has been confirmed that Troy Parrott's loan spell at Millwall had been cut short with the young Dubliner instead switching to Ipswich Town in a move which Emmet Malone writes is best for all parties.
In GAA, it was announced late last night that the intercounty season will likely be pushed back further after the GAA decided to postpone their decision on when training can resume in light of the current Covid-19 situation. "The mood of the group meeting is believed to have been cautious, understandably in light of the terrible figures reported in January with record cases and more than 1,000 deaths as well as unprecedented pressure on the hospitals and their ICUs," writes Seán Moran.
In golf, Rory McIlroy is determined to play his way into form as the four-time Major winner tees it up at the Phoenix Open this week - his third start in what will be seven tournaments in eight weeks. Meanwhile, Shane Lowry, along with a number of other top players including world number one Dustin Johnson, headed for Saudi Arabia and the riches on offer in this week's European Tour event.
Finally to our Iconic Sports Books Revisited series and this morning Keith Duggan speaks to Rick Telander about his book Heaven Is A Playground and how it was a snapshot of a time and culture within a sport.
