The Morning Sports Briefing

Rugby

As the Six Nations approaches Liam Toland writes that Ireland need to adopt a more expansive style if they are to make history and win a third consecutive title.

Toland says that Les Kiss’ Ulster side are pointing the way to how Ireland must play in order to exploit the precious few opportunities that will come their way in the championship.

“Ulster’s opening tries against Oyonnax were most instructive. An off the top lineout to monster number eight Nick Williams in midfield created the line break gaining quick yards. Post punch many teams follow a formulaic system; David Kilcoyne’s forced pass to CJ Stander. But where was/is the space? Too often the next receiver, especially in Irish rugby is a large, slow forward taking deep or static,” he writes.

In other rugby news Joe Schmidt is prepared to be patient with Garry Ringrose and says that the young centre needs time to develop before being thrown into international rugby.

Schmidt was asked about Brian O’Driscoll’s comments that he would like to see Ringrose feature in the Six Nations.

But the Ireland manager was coy in his reply, saying: “Is putting him in against 110 kilos of hurtling Jamie Roberts or 104 kilos of footwork and fend that Jonathan Davies can deliver [the right thing to do] or is it sitting in the squad and not playing, or is it him building that confidence that he’s started to demonstrate through the Pro12 and one European start. This is a great window for him to get game time.”

Ringrose will play this evening in Leinster's Pro12 clash with Dragons as Leo Cullen's side travel to Wales missing a total of 30 players due to international commitments.

Soccer

Tonight could be a defining moment in the reign of Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager after he admitted that a loss to Derby in the FA Cup could see him sacked.

The Dutch manager also hit out at the media, saying that their treatment of him has been “awful and horrible”.

“This is the third time I am sacked, and I am still sitting here. You write all these stories, and then I have to answer questions about them. I am not doing that, it is awful and horrible,” he said.

Across the city Kevin De Bruyne is set to miss at least 10 weeks after scans revealed torn ligaments in his knee and ankle after a clash with Everton keeper Joel Robles during Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final.

The injury looks to be quite severe and could possibly impact on the Belgian’s Euro 2016 campaign. De Bruyne’s side take on Ireland in Bordeaux on June 18th.

Golf

It was an impressive start to his professional PGA Tour debut for Greystones' Paul Dunne as he fired a 69 to sit three shots off the lead at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

Dunne dropped just one shot to sit in a tie for 15th after the opening round, three shots behind leader Scott Brown. Despite struggling at times and slipping to two over at one stage, Shane Lowry grinded out a strong birdie-birdie finish to card a one under 71.

GAA

A Congress vote next month could see the end of Sky Sports' pay-per-view deal with the GAA. The motion set to go to Congress calls for all televised big championship games to be free to air. The motion will require a two-thirds majority to pass.

Among the 65 motions headed for Congress in Carlow next month is motion 42 – passed at last month’s Dublin Convention – which calls for a new rule (1.18) with regard to broadcast rights, whereby “all televised inter-county championship games shall be available on free to air TV”.

Tennis

Kevin Mitchell writes from Melbourne that Novak Djokovic looks to be hitting even higher heights as he faces into his sixth Australian Open final.

The Serb will face either Andy Murray or Milos Raonic after they battle it out on Centre Court this morning.

What to watch out for

Tennis: Andy Murray takes on Miles Raonic in the Australian Open semi-finals. Eurosport 1 from 8am.

Golf: Paul Lawrie leads the Qatar Masters going into day three in Doha. Sky Sports 4 from 9.30am.

Paul Dunne will hope to add to his good opening round at Torrey Pines. Sky Sports 4 from 8pm.

Soccer: Manchester United travel to take on Derby County in the FA Cup. BBC 1 from 7.30pm.

Rugby: Pro12 action sees Dragons take on Leinster at Rodney Parade. TG4 from 6.40pm.