Mack Hansen in line to start against Wales; Celtic back on top

Andy Farrell will name his Irish team for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium around lunchtime today. Gerry Thornley believes Connacht's Australian-born back Mack Hansen is in line for his Test debut. Otherwise the team is likely to closely resemble the starting XV and matchday 23 which featured in the win over New Zealand last November. Check out Patrick Madden's profile of the England team here ahead of the weekend's tournament kick off.

Celtic are top of the Scottish Premiership following a first victory over Rangers for over two years last night. Reo Hatate scored twice and made the other in a dominant 3-0 win at Celtic Park. Sadio Mane's late goal helped Senegal through to their third Africa Cup of Nations final after overcoming Burkino Faso 3-1.

In his column this morning, Ciarán Murphy asks what was the point of spending €96m on Páirc Uí Chaoimh? Cork's Munster championship games - against Kerry in football and Clare in hurling - have been moved to Páirc Uí Rinn due to the Ed Sheeran concert taking place at the stadium. "People will say that Cork/Kerry might only get 20,000 people in any case – but that's a reason not to build the stadium," he writes. "It hardly qualifies as a reason not to use it when it's already been built."

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood has signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding his possible participation in the proposed Super Golf League (SGL). Players joining the SGL have been warned they face a lifetime ban from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, a sanction which would rule them out of playing in the Ryder Cup or being captain.