Sound advice on how to avoid an altercation with a 100kg rugby player in our Comments of the Week

Tom Brady might adhere to a strict diet, but Nigel still has some changes to make before joining him on the NFL’s list of all-time great quarter-backs:With Katy Perry providing the half-time entertainment at this weekend’s Super Bowl, Mike Cullinane wonders if the New England Patriots need a new Equipment Manager:

Katy Perry was accused of having deflated balls. Source: David J. Phillip

If you’ve been wondering why Owen Farrell has been ruled out of England’s Six Nations campaign, Rob O’H reckons he might have the answer:As McGregor-mania grips the country, Ciaran has been diagnosed with MMA Fever:Declan Snow asks a pertinent question in relation to Steffon Armitage:

Steffon Armitage. Approach with caution. Source: Tim Ireland

Hey Real Madrid, any chance of giving us your teenage wonderkid for the next 19 years? Craving some new Norwegian talent, Mick Stafford never got over Oyvind Leonhardsen’s departure from Anfield:Ulster’s 6’6″ forward Iain Henderson says he owns a Mini, but Christiaan Theron has his doubts:

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Iain Henderson drives a mini. Nothing is impossible. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Dan Smith doesn’t seem to be a fan of former ITV football host Adrian Chiles… or maybe he just rates his anatomy’s ability to host a TV show quite highly:Amid speculation that Sunday’s Super Bowl could be Marshawn Lynch’s last game for the Seattle Seahawks, Jason Lyons says he’d be welcome on Leeside:QUIZ: Are you a Super Bowl champ or chump?McGregor is ‘the most entertaining man in combat sport’ according to Prince Naseem

England give strong statement of intent after powerfully dispatching Wales in Cardiff

Wales 16 England 21

ENGLAND FOUGHT BACK from a ten point deficit to get their Six Nations campaign off to the perfect start in Cardiff tonight. Stuart Lancaster’s side have finished second the last three seasons but he will hope his side can go one better this year after their 21-16 win.

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It looked like Wales were going to run away with it early on after Rhys Webb followed a Leigh Halfpenny penalty with this nice try, which was created by some strong running by Taulupe Faletau who was able to take out three defenders.

Source: RBS 6 Nations/YouTube

It looked like Wales might pull away then but Mike Brown engineered a nice try for Anthony Watson to give England a lifeline before half time but a Dan Biggar drop goal on the whistle gave his side a healthy 16-8 lead at the break.

Source: RBS 6 Nations/YouTube

But England started the second half powerfully and their attack was sharp and able to pierce holes in the Welsh defence at will. It was only a matter of time before the scoreboard reflected their dominance and midway through the half Jonathan Joseph was able to wriggle away from George North to reduce the gap to one.

Source: RBS 6 Nations/YouTube

The fightback from the home side never materialised and England moved ahead after a Geroge Ford penalty and another kick at the death sealed the visitors five-point win.

LIVE: Wales vs England, Six NationsChe Guevera and more big names than you could possibly imagine in RTÉ’s Six Nations promo

We’ll Leave It There So: Harrington ends his drought, Isa’s possible return and all today’s sport

Source: AP/Press Association Images

HomePádraig Harrington won his first PGA Tour event since 2008 after a dramatic playoff at the Honda Classic.Is Isa Nacewa returning to Leinster? Forwards coach Leo Cullen didn’t rule it out.Leinster fullback Zane Kirchner says he will decide his future later this season.The Hurling Goalkeeper of the Millennium passed away at the age of 95.The IRFU issued a health update on Johnny Sexton, Sean O’Brien and Jared Payne.Robbie Brady could be out for the season after a freak training ground injury.The IRFU has announced a bid to host the 2017 Women’s World Cup.Away

Source: Nigel French

A Barcelona director has claimed that Angel Di Maria was sold by Real Madrid because he was ‘too ugly’.Sunderland midfielder Adam Johnson has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a teenager.France’s Six Nations campaign was hit with another setback with the news that Clermont duo Morgan Parra and Wesley Fofana will likely miss the final two matches.Former Arsenal and Spurs defender Sol Campbell is thinking about running for the Conservative Party in the next British election.

The best thing we shared

You will enjoy watching Pádraig Harrington sink a clutch birdie putt on the 18th like it’s 2008 all over again.

Source: PGA TOUR/YouTube

Click Here: new arrivals backpacksOn the record

England coach Stuart Lancaster gave a frank appraisal of his side’s performance at the Aviva Stadium yesterday.

Where we were today

Will Slattery was at Leinster HQ to talk to Leo Cullen, Rhys Ruddock and Zane Kirchner.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

The fixture listThere are three Premier League fixtures tomorrow night as Tim Sherwood looks to get his first win as Aston Villa boss at home to West Brom.The first Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-final takes place as Clongowes face Belvedere at Donnybrook.There is also a Munster Schools Cup semi-final as Pres Cork play Ardscoil Rís.Ireland take on South Africa in the Cricket World Cup and that starts at 3am tomorrow morning/tonight.Showbiz, baby!

Salford’s Rangi Chase is a magician. That is all.

Source: Super League TV/YouTube

 

Are Leinster going to bring back Isa Nacewa? Leo Cullen didn’t rule it outWatch Pádraig Harrington sink a clutch birdie putt on 18 like it’s 2008 all over again

We’ll Leave It There So: Ruby and Mullins big winners on Day 1 and all today’s sport

Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins lift the Champion Hurdle Challenge trophy. Source: David Davies

CheltenhamRuby Walsh and Willie Mullins dominated Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival as they combined to claim three races, including the feature, this afternoon.Walsh rode Faugheen (4-5f) to the Champion Hurdle with Arctic Fire (20-1) runner-up and Hurrican Fly (8-1) finishing third in a 1-2-3 for Mullins. AP McCoy was fourth on Jezki on his final appearance in the Champion Hurdle.Walsh and Mullins also earned victory in the Novice’s Hurdle with Douvan (2-1f) and the Arkle Chase with Un De Sceauz (4-6f).However, a fall at the last on Annie Power (1-2f) saw Glens Melody (6-1) and Paul Townsend take the Mares’ Hurdle.Home

Seddon Park, where Ireland played India. Source: John Cowpland/www.photosport.co.nz

Click Here: Toni Kroos Jersey Sale Ireland’s cricketers suffered their second defeat of the World Cup, losing by eight wickets to India in Hamilton, New Zealand. Jonathan Sexton participated fully in training at Carton House today and Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt believes he will be ready for his weekend’s trip to Cardiff.Dublin could have a big name back for Saturday’s Allianz Football League meeting with Mayo as St Vincent’s forward Diarmuid Connolly is in contention to feature.We spoke to Ireland’s Shane Lowry ahead of his Masters debut in Augusta next month.AwayThere are two Champions League round of 16 second legs being played tonight with Real Madrid hosting Schalke and Basel away to Porto.Warren Gatland has named an unchanged team for this weekend’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.Police are investigating an alleged racist messaged sent to Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck after he scored in last night’s FA Cup win over Manchester United.The best thing we shared today

Jennifer Malone, from Clane in Kildare, had a day to remember meeting the Ireland players at Carton House.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

On the record

Where we were today

Steve O’Rourke was out meeting Offaly golfer Shane Lowry at the launch of the new Simply Golf app.

Source: Mac Innes Photography

The fixture listThere are two more Champions League knockout games as Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge and Bayern Munich are at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. Fitzgibbon Cup final replay – UL v WIT, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30pm.
EirGrid U21FC Munster quarter-finals – Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm, Clare v Waterford, Milltown Malbay, 7.30pm.Connacht quarter-final – Mayo v Leitrim, Elverys MacHale Park, 7.30pm.Ulster preliminary round – Derry v Down, Celtic Park, 8pm.Showbiz, baby!

The cover of this month’s Golf Digest features Rory McIlory… as Michelangelo’s David:

Source: Twitter/GolfDigest

 5 talking points ahead of this week’s Champions League action

‘We wanted that ruthless streak’: Niamh Briggs keeping firm grip on 6 Nations crown

WITH HER LEFT hand, Niamh Briggs has a solid hold on a banister as she hobbles down one step at a time. An offer comes to free her right hand of a considerable weight, but she declines.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

The Six Nations trophy is firmly in her grasp and she’s damned if anyone less deserving is going to carry it out into the fresh air.

About 22 hours previously, Ireland’s captain was in similarly defiant mood after a brief stint of treatment to her knee. Despite wincing throughout the remainder of the half and the game, Briggs wasn’t about to let herself be taken out of the game.

“No. Definitely not,” the fullback says categorically, “I think when you win matches and trophies and Championships like we did yesterday, any injury seems irrelevant until it all settles down.

Ireland went in to this weekend trailing the Championship leaders France – the only side to beat them this year – by a points difference of 20. even before Les Bleus took a 15 -21 win from Twickenham, Saturday provided ample opportunity for distractions.

Instead of getting side-tracked by the men’s game, Briggs and her squad took inspiration from the way deficits were hoovered up, though the captain herself was busy getting kicking practice in while the action was under way in Murrayfield.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

“It was kind of bizarre, because in the Wales-Italy match,Wales were all over the shop and they were very jittery, but they managed to come out second half and blow it out of the water. That’s what we were saying to the girls:’look, if the scores don’t come in the first 40-60 minutes, it’s okay.’”

The scores did come in the first 40 and everything was more than just okay. Ireland relentlessly kept a foot on Scotland’s throat and took away try after try to end with a record points haul for Ireland Women.

“It was incredibly clinical and professional and we really wanted to help turn the screw.

“They’re an incredibly proud rugby nation. They’ve put a lot of work in to their under age structures and I’m sure they’ll come good in a few years time.”

She added: “When you come in at half-time or look up at the clock on 60 minutes and there’s 50-odd points up, you’re kind of thinking ‘is this real’ — it was an unbelievable effort by the girls, they played absolutely fantastic yesterday.”

Medals and a Championship trophy make it terrific end to what could have been a difficult year under other circumstances with a raft of new faces and new coaches at the helm. However, Briggs has always been steadfast in where the standards lie for Ireland Women. Before the first kick-off in February she boldly set the target on winning the title.

Now, having celebrated the men’s success with tea and a chocolate bar, she has her hands on the trophy she has craved from the start and can toast vindication with something a little stronger.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

“A lot of people wrote us off, and I don’t particularly blame them, there was so much change. But for me, there was still a good core of the squad there together and I made my feelings known to everybody that I wasn’t going to use the changes as an excuse.

“It was just an unbelievable effort by the squad. not even the 23, but the 30-32 that have been training all year. It’s fantastic and we’re delighted we’ve been able to make people sit up and take notice again.”

– First published 15.45

Ireland women win big in ScotlandAnalysis: Ireland’s attacking belief flows to fire them to Six Nations title

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Notes on Chris Jericho, AJ Styles, and The Undertaker

Chris Jericho is Coming to !BANG! TV
Thank you for your help and support – Dory and Marti Funk
!BANG! TV January 12th Presents Chris Jericho – Actor, Musician and World Champion Wrestler. (Dory Funk Jr. !BANG! TV January 12th)
Tickets are Now on Sale – Call now 352-895-4658 or e-mail [email protected]
Chris Jericho comes to the !BANG! TV Sound Stage in Ocala, Florida Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Tickets are $45 for a full night of professional Wrestling and Entertainment – (Meet and Greet Chris Jericho and Dory Funk Jr.) – (Professional Wrestling Card (Two Matches) followed by Chris Jericho’s Podcast with Dory Funk Jr.)
Proceeds will be donated to four charities, Champions for Champions, (Special Needs Children) Marion County Humane Society, Superintendent’s Literacy Fund and Feed the Need. (Food Program for homeless children.)
!BANG! TV Sound Stage in Ocala, Florida (2501 SW 57th Ave unit 605) Saturday January 12, 2019
Doors will open at 5:00pm – For more information, Call now 352-895-4658
Call now for Professional Wrestling training programs 352-895-4658

AJ Styles became the new number one contender for the WWE title after he won a fatal 5-way match last night on the New Year’s Day episode of Smackdown.
Styles was joined in the match by Randy Orton, Mustafa Ali, Samoa Joe, and Rey Mysterio, with Styles pinning former WWE champion Randy Orton following a 450 springboard. AJ wrestled Bryan at the TLC pay-per-view last month but came up short after Bryan won clean with a roll-up.
Earlier in the night on Smackdown, Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy for the final spot in the fatal 5-way match.
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WWE NXT Live Event Results – January 4, 2019 – Atlanta, Georgia

1. Matt Riddle defeated Adam Cole
2. Kairi Sane and Xia Li defeated Aliyah and Lacey Evans
3. Keith Lee defeated Dominik Dijakovic
4. Brennan Williams defeated Kona Reeves
5. Six-Man Tag Team Match
EC3 and War Raiders defeated The Undisputed ERA (Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong)
6. NXT North American Championship Match
Ricochet (c) defeated Shane Thorne
7. Bianca Belair defeated Rhea Ripley
8. Aleister Black and The Velveteen Dream defeated Johnny Gargano and Tommaso CiampaClick Here: gold coast titans shirt

Relive the moments that made Paul O’Connell the Six Nations Player of the Championship

IT WAS A Six Nations to remember for Ireland and Paul O’Connell in particular, as Joe Schmidt’s side secured back-to-back titles last week.

O’Connell was subsequently named Six Nations player of the tournament and a video has since been released, capturing why the Munster star was so invaluable to Ireland’s triumph.

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So watch below and savour those moments again, as his dominant performances propel the Irish team to glory.

Source: RBS 6 Nations/YouTube

Mike Ross tells us about #proplife! It’s the sporting tweets of the week>One of England’s biggest World Cup weapons won’t play rugby again this season>

 

You haven’t seen fine margins until you’ve seen this sensational rugby league try

AUSTRALIA’S NRL HAS given us some of our all-time favourite tries over the years.

You might remember this doozy, for example, scored by teenager David Nofoaluma in the summer of 2013:

Source: tugga87/YouTube

Now we’ve been privileged to witness another piece of remarkable craftsmanship that has left our tongues hanging out of our mouths and our jaws on the floor.

Pat Richards — who played for Ireland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup — literally didn’t put a foot wrong in creating this try for the Wests Tigers on Monday.

Source: NZAUTV Rugby League/YouTube

James Tedesco gets the credit for the finish but look at Richards’s precise footwork to stay in play before keeping the move alive with an instinctive kick just as he is hauled into touch.

Take a bow. In fact, take a few.

Leinster signings ‘in the pipeline’ after Munster and Ulster set toneFoley on new signing Francis Saili: ‘He doesn’t have many weaknesses’

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Zebre might sneakily be plotting a Toulon-style world domination after adding another import

IRISH RUGBY FANS have been so focused on railing against the spending power of the French and English clubs that they are neglecting to monitor the robust transfer dealings of a club closer to home.

Well, not geographically closer to home but since they compete in the same league as the provinces, it is interesting to see Zebre add another former southern hemisphere international to their squad.

Former Toulouse and Waratahs scrum-half Luke Burgess was always behind Will Genia in the Wallaby queue but he is a sharp passer and a sneaky sniper who should bring a lot to the Italian side.

Add that to Mils Muliaina and that is two seasoned internationals added to Zebre in the last few weeks.

Source: EllliotJackRussel1/YouTube

It would actually be a great thing for the league if Zebre bought a raft of high-profile signings and became competitive. After London Welsh, they have been the worst team in the three main northern hemisphere leagues this season so anything that can change the dynamic of the Pro12 would probably be worth it.

The IRFU better lock down the rest of their big stars before Zebre start planning an audacious raid that takes 50% of the national team to Parma.

If you are an easily frightened Leinster fan, best not to look at Toulon’s team for SundayIt was Sonny Bill v Dan and Richie in New Zealand earlier and the result wasn’t even close

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