The Morning Sports Briefing

Rugby: World Cup

New Zealand go into Saturday's Rugby World Cup final aiming to be the first ever team to retain the trophy - a 54th win from 57 matches would be the final step in forging an unforgettable legacy.

While making history will focus the mind from now till then, Saturday is also likely to be a final appearance in the black jersey for stalwarts such as Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Ma'a Nonu. The latter was asked to sum up what it is to have been an All Black for so long; "When you become an All Black it is more than just playing rugby, it is representing your country, your family. Kids now aspire to that."

As for the Wallabies, their manager is insistent that they are not just turning up tomorrow to make the numbers - getting to the final was an achievement but head coach Michael Cheika says the final frontier is the only one that really matters. "We don't want to be proud just to make the final. That's too comfortable, it's too easy."

GAA

Meanwhile Dublin footballer Jonny Cooper reflects on a whirlwind 12 months - he bounced back from a vicious knife attack in September 2014 to this year help Dublin to an All-Ireland title. He speaks to the media for the first time about the incident: "the message, really, is just to stick together on nights out...

“I still consider myself more lucky than unlucky. I know people go through a lot more torturous things, illnesses and whatever. The positives always outweigh the negatives for me. People go through a lot more than I have. I am always conscious of that. I was fine, that’s the main thing.”

Soccer: Premier League

Looking ahead to the big Premier League game this weekend between Liverpool and Chelsea, José Mourinho will resume his role in the dugout despite being sent to the stands in last weekend's defeat to West Ham. The English FA will convene next week at the earliest to decide upon the Chelsea boss' fate.

In the domestic league, Martin Russell's Limerick side must beat Sligo away to have a chance of staying in the Premier Division - one last chance to complete their great escape.

Golf

Rory McIlroy is six shots off the leader after round one of the Turkish Open. While a round of 72 in the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur this morning sees Pádraig Harrington fall back to 45th on the leaderboard.

What to watch out for:

Follow the progress of McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Darren Clarke in Turkey this morning.

Sky Sports 4, 9am-2pm

In Pro12 action tonight, it's Munster versus Ulster.

TG4 from 5.30pm

Then we have the Rugby World Cup third place play-off between Argentina and South Africa.

TV3 from 7pm