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Solskjær wants returning fans to get behind his team; Lowry preparing for Major bid

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Thomas Tuchel insists that qualifying for the Champions League has always been his biggest priority ahead of tonight's Premier League clash between Chelsea and Leicester. The Champions League finalists are only a point ahead of fifth placed Liverpool and two behind third place Leicester with two games remaining in the battle for the top four. Also in action tonight and welcoming fans back to Old Trafford, Manchester United take on Fulham. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has blamed recent protests against the Glazers' ownership for the defeats to Leicester City and Liverpool in their past two home games and has called on supporters to get behind his team.

The latest eye-tracking technology using virtual reality for the detection and treatment of concussion made its debut in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 2021 last weekend. World Rugby's chief medical officer, Dr Éanna Falvey, believes it can further reduce the chances of a concussed player returning to the pitch. Gerry Thornley believes the full repercussions of the captain's challenge rule need to be considered. It's currently being trialled in the Rainbow Cup: "The captain's challenge will invariably lead to bad blood between rival coaches and players, seeing as the trial specifically states that foul play challenges can be made after any stoppage in play if the captain believes foul play has been missed by the match officials." In his column this morning, former referee Owen Doyle explains why Robbie Henshaw can count himself lucky his Lions dream is still a reality following his tackle on Robert Baloucoune.

Shane Lowry is enjoying the familiar feel of Kiawah Island's Ocean Course as he prepares to increase his Majors haul from one to two at this week's US PGA Championship. The Offaly man who brought coach Neil Manchip with him to South Carolina believes the challenge on the Pete Dye-designed seaside course is one made for him: "I always feel like he gets me in a good place to play golf and that's why he is quite influential on me. I feel like when Neil's out I automatically become more comfortable . . . "

Meanwhile Willie Barrett - who has just wrapped up his term as chair of the Referees Development Committee - calls for no rush to judgment over the application of the GAA's new playing rules: "Any time a new rule is announced in hurling or football there's a furore for a while at the start."