The Morning Sports Briefing

IRFU to reveal true damage of Paris loss

The IRFU are expected to release a medical statement today as the overall body count of Saturday's agonising 10-9 defeat to France in Paris becomes clearer.

It was a brutal loss for Ireland, with the likes of Sean O’Brien, Johnny Sexton and Dave Kearney all forced off as hopes of a third Six Nations title in a row slipped away.

Reflecting on the result, Joe Schmidt said: “There’s no hiding our disappointment. Mathematically there’s an outside chance but realistically we know it’s a very, very outside chance. For us, it will be build towards Twickenham and put together the best performance we can over there.

“The first thing is to get the medical assessment and put together the players who are ready to go.”

Toland: negativity cost Ireland

Liam Toland believes Ireland's conservative gameplan cost them at the Stade de France, he writes: "In other words, we had 44 minutes to make hay before Slimani et al arrived. In scoring nine points in that time, we failed. And in so doing, we displayed a lack of creativity that's concerning for two international second halves in a row."

Ireland have a two-week turnaround before travelling to play England, and Eddie Jones’s side made it two wins from two yesterday with a 40-9 win over Italy in Rome, Jonathan Joseph scoring a hattrick.

Spurs show title credentials

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge statement yesterday as they beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad to move within two points of Premier League leaders Leicester City, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen the scorers.

And in his column today Ken Early suggests Tottenham’s win emphasises a huge shift in mentality at the club, something largely brought about by manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Welbeck is back

Meanwhile North London rivals Arsenal also moved themselves back into title contention, a fit again Danny Welbeck sinking Claudio Ranieri's Foxes with a last gasp header. Elsewhere, a dismal Aston Villa side were beaten 6-0 by Liverpool at home.

Donogue’s Galway sink Cork

Michael Donoghue's Galway tenure began with victory in Salthill yesterday, his side beating Cork 1-27 to 1-21 in their Allianz League clash, and elsewhere Waterford claimed the prize scalp of Kilkenny, winning 0-14 to 0-10 at Walsh Park - despite registering 18 wides.

Ruby Walsh falls again

Willie Mullins enjoyed another good day at Navan yesterday despite seeing Ruby Walsh falter at the last with an odds-on favourite yet again, the 4-11 Black Hercules falling to allow stable companion Measureofmydreams to complete a Grade Two double for the Carlow trainer.