The Morning Sports Briefing

Chelsea travel to Paris as Champions League returns

The Champions League returns tonight, with Chelsea travelling to face runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

The two sides met at the same stage of last year’s competition, Chelsea emerging from Paris with a 1-1 draw before being turned over at Stamford Bridge. And this trip to the French capital appears a lot more daunting, with Laurent Blanc’s side nearing the peak of their powers while Guus Hiddink patches Chelsea up during the season from hell.

FAI avoid Euro ticket farce

Republic of Ireland fans discovered yesterday whether they were successful in their applications for Euro 2016 tickets, and the FAI were relieved after the majority of match going fans were allocated tickets for at least one of the three Group E fixtures.

Unsuccessful fans can email euro2016@fai.ie with details of their application to try and secure some of the 2,000 tickets held in reserve by the association.

France injury count becomes clearer

Ireland have two weeks to patch themselves up before their next Six Nations tie against England, but Mike McCarthy, Sean O'Brien and Dave Kearney have all already been ruled out of the trip to Twickenham.

There is better news on Johnny Sexton however, who is “comfortable” in the wake of last weekend’s brutal defeat to France.

Gerry Thornley

In his column today Gerry Thornley reflects on that loss and how Joe Schmidt was left to rue a number of things, from the fixture list to the injury count, conspiring against him, he writes: "But for Joe Schmidt, last Saturday appeared to be acutely frustrating because so much of the imponderables were beyond even his control."

McIlroy’s Masters preparations begin

Rory McIlroy's preparation for the Masters will be busier than ever this year, with the four-time Major winner playing six of the next eight weeks in the build-up to Augusta. His itinerary starts this week with him making his debut at Riviera in the Northern Trust Open.

Ballyboden to appeal red card

Ballyboden St Enda's are to appeal the red card picked up by Declan O'Mahony in their All-Ireland club semi-final win over Clonmel Commercials. O'Mahony was sent off for a high tackle and the Dublin club hope to have the decision overturned in time for the St Patrick's Day final.

Identity Thief has Champion Hurdle claims

Willie Mullins is just 9-2 to repeat last year's 1-2-3 in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, however Henry Den Bromhead is confident Identity Thief, currently an antepost price of 14-1, has good claims for the race.

What to watch out for:

Football

Chelsea travel to play Paris St Germain (TV3, BT Sport Europe, 7.45pm ko) and Benfica welcome Zenit St Petersburg to Lisbon (BT Sport 2, Setanta, 7.45pm ko) in the Champions League last-16.