The Morning Sports Briefing

Chance for fringe players in Cardiff

Joe Schmidt has selected his side for tomorrow’s World Cup warm-up game against Wales in Cardiff and a number of fringe players have been given the opportunity to stake their claim for a place in Ireland’s final squad.

Among those selected in the starting line-up are Donnacha Ryan and Andrew Trimble, who both return after lengthy injury lay-offs.

With Schmidt confirming Ireland's final 31-man squad is likely to contain 17 forwards and 14 backs, this leaves a number of high profile names such as Simon Zebo vulnerable, while the likes of Ryan, Jordi Murphy and Tommy O'Donnell also face a battle to make the squad. Gerry Thornley assesses the side for the Millenium Stadium.

While for a number of players the warm-up games will be their route into the final 31-man squad, Schmidt has said Cian Healy won't be expected to take part in any in order to make the cut.

Tomorrow's game will be the first time Ryan has featured under Schmidt, and he spoke to Gavin Cummiskey about the lengths he nearly went to to regain fitness, and geology.

Ahead of the game Liam Toland reflects on how Schmidt has managed to blend players from the four provinces into a single unit for perhaps the first time in Ireland's history.

G-Mac in the hunt at Firestone

Graeme McDowell sits a shot off the lead of Australia's Danny Lee following his opening four under par round of 66 in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. Shane Lowry opened with a round of 70 while Padraig Harrington is two shots further back following his 72.

The Cats will have too much for Waterford

In his column John Allen suggests Kilkenny will prove too strong for Waterford in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park, however he feels the game will at least provide the Deise witha yardstick to see where they are as a side.

Ger Aylward has made a huge impact for the Cats this year and sits behind TJ Ryan as top scorer having made just two Championship starts, however this is far from surprising, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Macauley wants his place back

Having lost his starting place in midfield for Dublin's comprehensive All-Ireland quarter final win over Fermanagh, Darragh Macauley is determined to win it back.

Meanwhile Fermanagh's Sean Quigley feels Jim McGuinness is being a "wee bit patronising" when he questioned Fermanagh's celebrations after their eight point loss to Dublin.

Broad and England humiliate Australia

Englandare on course to reclaim the Ashes after they obliterated Australia in a sensational day's play at Trent Bridge yesterday. Having won the toss and opting to bowl England tore through the tourists in the morning, with Stuart broad picking up career best figures of 8-15 as Australia were bowled out for just 60, before reaching 274/4 at stumps.

Di Maria completes PSG switch

Angel Di Maria has completed his move to PSG from Manchester United after a disinterested one year spell at Old Trafford, while James McCarthy has signed a new five-year deal with Everton.

What to watch out for:

Football

Both Manchester United and Celtic will learn their fate in the draw for the Champions League play-offs this morning. Louis Van Gaal’s side can face CSKA Moscow, AS Monaco, Lazio, Club Brugge or Rapid Vienna. Celtic’s possible opponents are Maccabi Tel Aviv, Partizan, Malmo, KF Skenderbeu or FC Astana. The draw will be live on Uefa.com from 11am.

Shamrock Rovers face St Patrick's Athletic at the Tallaght Stadium tonight with boss Pat Fenlon admitting a win is vital if his side are to mount any sort of serious title challenge. Setanta Ireland, 8pm.

Elsewhere Galway welcome Derry and Longford travel to play champions Dundalk.

The Championship gets back underway tonight with Nottingham Forest travelling to Brighton. Sky Sports 5 from 7pm.

Cricket

Day two of the fourth Ashes Test match at Trent Bridge gets underway with England already on course for victory. Sky Sports 2 from 10am.

Golf

Graeme McDowell is a shot off the lead heading into the second round of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. Sky Sports 4, 7pm-11pm