Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

England confirm Eddie Jones as head coach, Paul Dunne’s dream year continues and what to watch out for

England Rugby has appointed Eddie Jones as Head Coach on a four-year contract, starting in December. Jones will take charge of England ahead of their opening Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield in February. Photograph: EPA
England Rugby has appointed Eddie Jones as Head Coach on a four-year contract, starting in December. Jones will take charge of England ahead of their opening Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield in February. Photograph: EPA
Fri Nov 20 2015 - 08:33

Rugby

England have looked to move on from the disappointment of this autumn's early World Cup exit by acquiring the services of former Australia and Japan head coach Eddie Jones.

The man who masterminded Japan’s remarkable World Cup win over South Africa, and led his home nation Australia to the final of the same competition in 2003 will become England’s first ever overseas coach - after his appointment was confirmed on Friday morning.

Jones takes over an England team who were knocked out of Rugby’s biggest competition in the pool stages after defeats to both Wales and Australia, the expectation which came with their role as tournament hosts making matters all the more embarrassing. Results which brought outgoing manager Stuart Lancaster’s four year reign to an end.

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Meanwhile Ulster go in to their first European Champions Cup fixture of the season tonight, buoyed by the return of Iain Henderson to their line-up. One of the major positives to emerge from Ireland's World Cup campaign, Henderson has been named to start in the back row - despite operating in the lock during those games.

Golf

Ireland's Paul Dunne has secured his European Tour playing privileges for next season after shooting a closing round 72 at the Q-School in Catalunya - leaving him tied for 13th on 10 under par overall, three strokes inside the crucial top 25. It's been a remarkable year for the Greystones native, leading the British Open going into the final day as an amateur, Walker Cup success and now securing his first ever tour card being the lofty highlights.

Soccer: Premier League

Saturday's big Premier League game between Liverpool and Manchester City could see the return to action of both team's main goal scorers, Daniel Sturridge has this week returned to full training while City's Sergio Aguero has said that he hopes to end his six week injury lay-off this weekend.

While Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has called for routine blood tests in soccer to improve anti-doping measures which he says are currently "superficial".

GAA

Ahead of Saturday's International rules game in Croke Park, Australia defender Harry Taylor says he presumes Ireland will start as they finished last year's Test - attacking.

“The second half the Irish changed the way they played, and we probably caught us a little flat footed. That gave them a chance to come back, but fortunately for us we held on in what turned out to be a close game.”

Elsewhere it's understood that prospective new Galway hurling boss Michael Donoghue, if he is successful in his bid for the post vacated by Anthony Cunningham, will call upon the services of former Tipperary manager Eamon O'Shea.

What to watch out for:

The race to Dubai is really hotting up, follow the Dubai World Tour Championship second round this morning.

Sky Sports 4, 8am-1pm

Ulster versus Saracens kicks off at 7.45pm at Kingspan Park.

BT Sport Europe from 7pm