Padraig Harrington believes Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell should declare for Great Britain at the Olympics, in order to make room for other Irish players. In an interview with Setanta Ireland, to air tomorrow, Harrington said “if somebody wants Rory to be as Irish as he can be, he better declare for GB”.
Wales coach Warren Gatland could field a team containing just eight survivors from the World Cup quarter-final win against Ireland in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations opener. Gatland has seen preparations for the Dublin clash badly affected by injuries.
Keith Earls will step in for an injured Brian O’Driscoll when Ireland face Wales in the first game of this year’s Six Nations campaign, on Monday morning. Andrew Trimble will fill the left wing spot left vacant by Earls. Jonathan Sexton is preferred at outhalf over a benched Ronan O’Gara.
Jim Stynes has stepped down as president of Melbourne Demons. “As Melbourne enters what promises to be an exciting new season, and hopefully exciting new era, I see this an opportune time to step down as Melbourne president,” said Stynes, in a statement posted on the club’s website.
ESPN has announced it will televise all 15 games of the RBS Six Nations live from February 5 to March 18. The station will air Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Wales from 1.30am next Monday morning. Ireland’s game against France will air at 6.30am on February 12, a Sunday.
Ireland have included five uncapped players among a 32-man squad named ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations opener against Wales. Wings David Kearney and Simon Zebo are present after scoring a try apiece in the Irish Wolfhounds’ 23-17 defeat by England Saxons on Friday.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy insists striker Kevin Doyle “is going nowhere” before the current transfer window closes tonight. Doyle has been linked with a move to Everton and the Republic of Ireland striker is currently out of the starting XI at Molineux.
Cork and Laois claimed well deserved victories on Sunday. Cork proved they were fully prepared for the Allianz Football League after they claimed the McGrath Cup with a 0-13 to 0-06 win over Tipperary in Clonmel.
Ireland outscored the Saxons by three tries to two, creating touchdowns for Dave Kearney, Tomas O’Leary and Simon Zebo, but they could not compete with England’s dominance up front.
Lock Paul O’Connell insists Ireland will feed off their provinces’ success in Europe throughout the RBS 6 Nations. For the first time Leinster, Munster and Ulster have all reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup with Irish representation in the last four guaranteed.
