Schmidt to name Ireland squad
Today Joe Schmidt names his squad for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina and the 23 men charged with the task of guiding Ireland into the tournament’s last four for the first time.
And despite having to take on Los Pumas at the Millennium Stadium without three pivotal forwards in Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien, the news Keith Earls and perhaps more importantly Johnny Sexton may be fit to start the game will be a huge boon to Ireland's management and supporters alike.
Earls and Sexton are expected to train today, and if both are fit enough to make the starting line-up it will mean Schmidt is able to select a relatively unsettled side, with Iain Henderson, Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry - who have all played a part so far in the tournament - the men likely to step into the fold, writes Gerry Thornley.
Both Schmidt and the Argentinian coach Daniel Hourcade will name their sides at lunchtime today.
Liam Toland: Argentina the team France should be
But even if Sexton does recover in time for Cardiff, Ireland are going to have their work cut out against an Argentina side who are currently at the level France should be, writes Liam Toland.
Hansen wary of Les Bleus
Meanwhile New Zealand take on France in Cardiff tomorrow night looking to avoid another famous World Cup defeat at the hands of Les Bleus.
Gavin Cummiskey reports back from the All Blacks base in Swansea where coach Steve Hansen suggested he remains wary of the French even though they lack some of the Gallic flair of old.
In tomorrow's other quarter-final Wales take on South Africa, with the Springboks having recovered brilliantly from their shock opening defeat to Japan.
GAA Championship draw
Elsewhere the draw for the 2016 GAA Championship was made last night, with Cork and Tipperary set to open the hurling championship in Munster after being drawn together in the preliminary round.
In the football Mayo and Galway are likely to meet in the Connacht semi-finals, while Donegal and Monaghan are likely to meet in the Ulster last four.
All-Ireland champions Dublin will play the winners of Laois and Wicklow in the Leinster quarter-final, and there could be pressure to move the game out of Croke Park and to Nowlan Park in Kilkenny.
Ward settles for silver
Following on from the heroics of Michael Conlan on Wednesday night light-heavyweight Joe Ward couldn’t quite make it a double-golden boxing World Championships for Ireland.
Westmeath fighter Ward was comfortably beaten in the end by Cuba's Julio La Cruz in Doha, but has achieved his goal of qualification for the Rio Olympics.
Ings injured
Jurgen Klopp has been handed another blow at the start of his Liverpool tenure after it was announced striker Danny Ings has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Shane Long is a doubt for Ireland's Euro 2016 play-off after Southampton manager Ronald Koeman said yesterday the forward is facing a spell of two to four weeks on the sidelines.
Dunne slows after quicksilver start
Damien McGrane was the pick of the irish golfers at the Portugal Masters yesterday, shooting a four under par 67 in Vilamoura, while Paul Dunne failed to capitalise on a lightning fast start which saw himsix under par through eight holes, eventually signing for a 68.
Rory McIlroy began his PGA Tour season with an opening round 68 at the Frys.com Open but he sits five shots off the lead of Brendan Steele.
What to watch out for:
Rugby
The Pro 12 returns tonightwith Leinster travelling to play the Scarlets (7.35 pm ko, TG4, BBC 2 Wales), Edinburgh welcoming Ulster to Murrayfield (7.35pm, SS3) and Connacht facing Zebre at the Sportsground (7.30pm).
Golf
Day two of the Portugal Masters (SS4, 11.30am-1.30pm, 3pm-5.55pm).
Day two of the Frys.com Open in California (SS4 10pm-1am)
Football
There's League of Ireland action tonight, as Cork City take on Longford, champions Dundalk welcome Galway to Oriel Park and St Patrick's Athletic take on Drogheda (RTE 2, 7.45pm ko)
