Penalties for reckless or accidental hits have increased since guideline was introduced

After just 20 years of service, some American venues are already considered obsolete

European Tour goes where PGA Tour perhaps surprisingly has not

The New tournament was supposed to rescue the European game. So where is everyone?

A quarter of MLB pitchers have had surgery to repair elbow ligaments

The decision by French authorities to lift a 15-week European ban demands attention

An analyst’s scientific skills are transferable across a variety of sporting disciplines

Despite recent ‘Moneyball’ reunion, analytics behemoth perhaps needs reshaping

Putting figures and young statistical turks together is a good thing

This recent officiating ‘fashion’ should evolve into a permanent style

Championship ruck data throws up interesting moves but the technology has a way to go

Sometimes being ‘committed to the tackle’ is a concept that covers a multitude of sins

Premier League title success could well bring problems as broadcast deal creeps in to view

Recovery is an aspect which is currently missing from return to play protocols

Toner ready to step up to the task of leading Ireland’s lineout strategy

Seasons are rarely defined by one event, but all those small moments will add up

The case of Viktor Kolelishvili shows the importance of upholding the rules

Open ballot and an evenly split electorate pool helps transparency

Leadership not single job and Schmidt will know players who can fulfill necessary roles

Hard data from tournament reveals Tier Two countries are closing gap on elite sides

Leinster should see what they really have in the young man already in blue

Fantasy sports firms in crosshairs of New York attorney general

Hosts France have an immediate advantage due to the tournament’s 24-team structure

Due to rule changes in soccer it can be difficult to compare player performances

Those who keep an eye on numbers are having increasing influence of strategy

Collecting data not enough – knowing how to present it to players is key step

Winding road to a home semi-final involves a number of rather confusing permutations

Closure of ESPN website leaves void in world of online sports writing

Rugby World Cup final: All Blacks might just have enough in tank to defeat Australia

South African referee should have faced up to irate Scots after his poor crucial call

Joe Schmidt game demands quick ruck ball but his key operatives have been ruled out

If Ireland were to win it all, each of the 31 squad members would get a €100k bonus

Kind of teams being punished for indiscipline much more likely to be down pecking order

Chance to level the playing field through fairer scheduling is being missed

More awareness about the impact of sport’s invisible injury is vital for player welfare

A look at the balls used from the Mitre Multiplex through to Gilbert’s Match XV

Confusing as they may be ignore rankings at your peril –they can have a major impact

Schmidt could bring extra forward if he trusts Madigan to fill in at scrumhalf

He may be only 37 but the ex-Leinster secondrow has always been a natural leader

Physically taking it to over-zealous fans is a risky business for professional athletes

It’s time to end the secrecy and pool players’ statistics for good of the game

Like top musicians, great sportsmen know the score when it comes to that key area

Various not-so-sporting methods have been employed to smooth a path to victory

Advances in training mean more athletes will extend peak years, like Gatlin has done

Playing of sport should be encouraged but so should an understanding of potential risks

Referee Gauzere’s error denies them their last tilt at glory after Stade’s late penalty

It is often the unconventional that can give a player or team that all-important edge

Dylan Hartley is an easy target and will miss the World Cup but Yoann Huget has got off lightly

More than 50,000 golfers have failed to renew memberships in Ireland and UK since 2014

Statistics provide great insight but can be dangerous in the wrong hands

Jamie Cudmore’s eye-catching boots are legal but the same cannot be said for some of those now being worn

A return to distrust and ill-feeling of past is something no one wants to see

But can European operators emulate the successful American model

The champions’ exertions in Marseilles won’t help them overcome the odds

Province could find themselves in Europe’s pool of death next season

ShotLink offers statistics fiends a chance to examine real-life datasets

Schmidt’s men boast a level of mutual understanding that is helping them outperform rivals

This is a low-risk efficient Irish team based on fantastic kicking and excellent rucking

Andy McGeady: The two factors with a significant impact on the probability of kick success are distance and angle

Ireland captain set to reach 100 cap milestone against Wales in Six Nations this weekend

European soccer conspicuous by its absence from Boston ‘revival meeting’

No-arm charges at rucks are just as dangerous as the highlighted tackles

Long runs of consecutive wins have historically been hard to earn

Rugby unions must balance the need to generate cash with serving public needs

Robbie Henshaw is heavier than the average forward from the 1985 Irish team

Arriving quickly to the breakdown is the unglamorous and unseen work that can decide the outcome of a match, writes Andy McGeady

To gain an edge on and off the pitch, in training, playing and even sleeping, all manner of equipment is being used

New Zealand by no means the biggest side in world rugby but that doesn’t stop them winning