The Morning Sports Briefing

Rugby: Concussion debate

The son of Ireland’s former backs coach, the product of kicking masterclasses with Ronan O’Gara and Ian Humphreys from the age of eight; George Ford will lead the line for England at the Aviva next weekend.

His father Mike recalls bringing his sons to Ireland training camps with him 13 years ago, where he'd be brought off for ice cream by the Irish kickers. He also gives an insight into the mental preparation which allows the youngster to belie his years - working on "his language and self-talk".

Ireland’s very own outhalf sensation Johnny Sexton made it through Saturday’s Racing Metro draw against Clermont Auvergne. Only his second outing since his latest concussion ruled him out of club duty and Ireland’s Six Nations opener.

Larry Fenelon of Leman solicitors, who are active in sports arbitration, told The Irish Times that an individual who sustains a brain injury arising from playing rugby in Ireland has a case.

Legal action, Fenelon believes, will occur when current or recently retired professional players are out of the game for a sustained period of time.

It’s been 21 years since the NFL first acknowledged concussion might be a problem in the sport. Dave Hannigan looks at the frightening links between concussion and brain damage and subsequent depression. There are currently negotiations over there so that every former player will have access to compensation if needed.

GAA: No debate

There's an excellent opinion piece by Paul Rouse on the GAA's decision to disallow the debate of a motion relating to the broadcast of GAA matches by Sky Sports at its Annual Congress next weekend.

Páraic Duffy insisted that the GAA would not sell TV rights to Sky in late 2013 because “the GAA belongs to everybody in Ireland”.

Six months later the deal was made so what’s changed? This is a question the GAA has yet to answer persuasively; the logic of the deal remains elusive and as the accounts show it clearly hasn’t been about money. And as for viewership figures, certainly no rationale there.

Meanwhile in Sunday's Allianz League Dublin became the only team to nail two wins from two in Division1A, having defeated All-Ireland finalists Tipperary last week they did a job on champions Kilkenny this time around. A first win for the Dubs in Nowlan Park since 1964 against their 13-man opponents.

Soccer: Van Gaal feeling twitchy

Ken Early asks this morning if Louis van Gaal is the diplomat that Manchester United need. They've spent £220 million over the past four transfer windows so surely they should be doing better?

Meanwhile there was another win for Liverpool on Sunday away to Southampton which moves them to three points of third, albeit only a point ahead of Tottenham in seventh. Such is the race for the Champions League spots this season.

Golf: Lawrie and Harrington stutter

Padraig Harrington's interest in the Northern Trust Open is over after he carded a four over par 75 in his third round at the Riviera Country club, meanwhile Peter Lawrie also struggled as he slumped to tied 31st place in the Hero Indian Open at Delhi Golf Club.

Athletics: English prepares for Prague

Having won the 800m at National indoor championships the aim now for Mark English is to "recruit as many fast twitch muscle fibres as possible" over the next two weeks in search of a podium finish at the European Indoor Championships.

Meanwhile England have kickstarted their Cricket World Cup campaign by comprehensively defeating Scotland following back-to-back defeats, albeit against Australia and New Zealand. .

What to watch out for:

We'll have the latest injury news from the Irish camp at Carton Houseas they re-assemble ahead of the weekend.

You can catch the previews for all of the upcoming Six Nations fixtures on Against the Head this evening.

RTE 2 from 7pm.

Meanwhile all the Allianz Hurling League highlights is on TG4 from 8.30pm.