Gerry Thornley on Champions Cup format; Benitez gets a reprieve as Everton stun Arsenal

As Storm Barra surges across the country, the Irish provinces remain focused on the start of the European season this weekend with Leinster first into action at home to Bath at 3.15pm on Saturday. This is the stage of the season where thing really begin to heat up as Europe takes centre stage before the provincial derbies over the festive season. Leo Cullen's men have been in good form so far this season and hope to move it up a gear this weekend against a struggling Bath team. This year the format of the competition has remained the same as last season's pandemic-hit tournament but this morning Gerry Thornley writes that the set-up now isn't as spectator friendly as it used to be while the French and English clubs look better primed for this opening weekend.

Moving to soccer and Demarai Gray's late screamer gave Everton a much-needed win over Arsenal last night as the pressure continued to mount on Rafael Benitez. After going behind to a Martin Odegaard goal in the first half, Richarlison's equaliser gave way to Gray's winner in a victory that Benitez hopes can turn the tide after fans once again voiced their displeasure in the first half at Goodison. Elsewhere, the Premier League is to trial a saliva test to diagnose concussion where players will provide baseline swabs, then at three further time points following a concussive injury, the plan said. Comparative swabs will be taken from an uninjured player and another player who has suffered a musculoskeletal injury in the same match or training session.

Moving to golf and the question of when we might see Tiger Woods back in action on a golf course took a positive turn over the weekend when he was seen hitting balls on the range at Albany during the Hero World Challenge. Woods last year competed in the PNC Father-Son Championship in Orlando alongside his son Charlie and speculation is mounting that he may well do so again in 11 days' time given that golf carts are allowed in the event.

Meanwhile, the White House last night confirmed a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, in the latest move that will further widen the rift in an already strained bilateral relationship. Elsewhere, Michelle Finn speaks to Ian O'Riordan about her hopes for European Cross Country glory on home soil this Sunday.