Gordon D’Arcy’s column
Ireland legend Gordon D'Arcy didn't make Joe Schmidt's final 31-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, and in the first instalment of his Irish Times column today he jokes it might not be such a bad thing given the freakish size of many of the three-quarters plying their trade in modern rugby.
D’Arcy reflects on the ways the tournament has changed from his first experience back in 1999 through to 2015 and how the game has become increasingly physical with mean defences and physical specimens of line breakers now the order of the day.
He also looks at the danger to Ireland posed by France, a side who have always been competitive at the World Cup, D’Arcy writes: “Philippe Saint André might help us out by starting Michalak at outhalf. Not bringing Francois Trinh-Duc seems like a mistake. Still, France remain the ultimate World Cup team and they grow into every tournament.
“If we get everything going for us against them and win our pool, we can make the final. If not, then it’s a quarter-final exit.”
One of the men who has replaced D'Arcy in the Irish midfield is Jared Payne, and Paddy Jackson has praised his Ulster team mate for the sacrifices he makes from outside centre which give an outhalf quick ball.
Martin O’Neill tempted to settle for third
The recent international break can be considered a good one for Ireland after they picked up six points and watched Scotland lose twice in their Euro 2016 qualifiers, and boss Martin O'Neill would be tempted to settle for third place in the group with tricky games against Germany and Poland to come.
If Ireland did come third in Group D then their chances of making it to the European Championships would be boosted by the factthey would be one of the seeded sides in the play-offs, meaning potential opponents would include Albania or Israel.
Elsewhere Wayne Rooney overtook Bobby Charlton as England's leading all-time goal scorer last night, his 50th international goal coming from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Switzerland at Wembley.
Darragh Ó Sé - no sympathy for Mayo
Many people have shown their sympathy for Mayo after their defeat to Dublin in last Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final replay meant another year of heartache, however Darragh Ó Sé is not among them. In his column he questions Mayo's game management and asks when will they learn how to win an All-Ireland?
Meanwhile Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly might have been facing suspension for the All-Ireland final this weekend had his late night hearing which cleared him to play in the replay followed establish precedent, writes Seán Moran.
In his column Seán Moran looks at the DRA's controversial judgement on Connolly, which is about to be published and promises to make an entertaining read.
The confusing world of world rankings
Rory McIlroy handed back his world number one status to Jordan Spieth after finishing outside the top 10 at the Deutsche Bank Open on Monday, despite Spieth not even making the cut. McIlroy can return to the top of the world next week without even playing. Andy McGeady explains the confusing world of rankings within sport.
Champions Stakes hots up
The QIPCO Irish Champions Stakes is set to be one of the races of the season, with Legatissimo set to join Golden Horn and Gleneagles at Leopardstown.
Serena beats Venus
The Serena Slam is still on after the world number one saw off sister Venus Williams 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
What to watch out for
Tennis
Roger Federer takes on Richard Gasquet and Stan Wawrinka plays Kevin Anderson in the last wight of the US Open at Flushing Meadows. (Sky Sports 4, 4am-4pm)
