The Morning Sports Briefing

Rugby: Six Nations

It's expected that the Leinster duo of Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy will replace Simon Zebo and Jack McGrath in the Irish team which takes on Scotland this weekend.

The 27-year-old Fitzgerald won the last of his 27 caps as a replacement in the heartbreaking defeat to New Zealand in November of 2013, his only cap under Schmidt to date. He made his last start for Ireland in the 19-12 World Cup warm-up defeat against France at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in August 2011, whereupon he missed out on the World Cup squad, as was the case in 2007, despite being a Lions Test starter in South Africa in 2009.

The officiating of Ireland's dominant scrum was a contentious post-match topic of debate following the defeat to Wales last weekend, yet tight head prop Mike Ross says that each referee will have his own strengths and weaknesses and you have to identify those and get on the right side of him. All he's looking for is consistency.

Soccer: Champions League

There was a quiet expectation surrounding Manchester City ahead of last night’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona. Their only remaining chance of silverware it would seem, and for the squad and manager in particular a blatant chance for redemption.

Yet a Lionel Messi masterclass meant that form was reflected and only for goalkeeper Joe Hart it could have been far worse for the Premier League champions than the 1-0 final score suggested.

Wonder goal scorer and Ireland international Stephanie Roche had a dream-come-true moment as she got to shake hands with President Obama at St Patrick's Day party in Washington yesterday.

Golf: Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational this week will be Rory McIlroy's final event pre-Augusta and in a notable change of plan, McIlroy flew out his coach, Michael Bannon to Florida after a frustrating WGC-Cadillac Championship.

GAA: Statement but no answers

Clare GAA have released a statement in response to claims by two former senior hurlers who said they were humiliated by double standard disciplinary punishments. They had penned these complaints to one of their team captains to read out to the dressing room explaining their departure. Instead the letter was handed to the team manager who ripped it up, according to one pf the players.

The statement released yesterday is signed by the team’s management and selectors, and the two team captains, on behalf of the entire panel they say. They allude to inaccuracies in the claims made, these remain unknown.

There was Under 21 football action last night throughout the provinces, as last year's All-Ireland finalists Dublin and Roscommon were among the winners, as Cork edged Kerry in Munster. They remain on course for five-in-a-row.

What to watch out for

The Irish rugby team for the final Six Nations game against Scotland is expected to be named before 2pm today. We'll have that with you straight away.

Elsewhere Everton take on Dynamo Kiev tonight in the second leg of their last 16 Europa League encounter. Everton lead 2-1 going into it, now carrying the hopes of the English League as the remaining team in European competition.

TV3 from 5.50pm

Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell are all in action this afternoon in Florida for the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Sky Sports 4 from 6pm to 10pm