Ireland need a statement victory in this morning's no-win game against Russia. In his preview from Kobe, Gerry Thornley writes that a psychological pick-me-up and vital bonus point are there for the taking in the team's third pool match. "Russia have lost their six World Cup matches by an average margin of 31 points. Something along those lines, with that bonus point, would suffice." Patrick Madden has prepared an all you need to know guide, including kick-off time, TV channels, team news and more, and you can read that here.
Ireland must endure the purgatory of intense humidity during their showdown with the Russians . Gavin Cummiskey, writing from Kobe, explains: "everything curious is indoors and soaring upwards in Japan. Each return to the hotel room demands a cold shower. To destickify. Press rooms at stadiums are glacial but it is inhumanely hot under the Misaki dome." Keith Duggan was at the Japan press conference yesterday, where the Brave Blossoms continue their fruitful pursuit of happiness: "The sun has never shone so brightly on Japanese rugby as this week."
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool got the wild night he predicted against RB Salzburg last night, as the reigning six-time champions won an entertaining encounter 4-3. Mohammed Salah put the Premier League leaders 3-0 up after 36 minutes, but the teams were level by the hour mark, forcing the Egyptian to double his tally for the three points. Chelsea also secured their first win of the tournament, courtesy of a late Willian goal in Lille, to give them a 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile Joanne O'Riordan believes the sad spectacle of the World Athletics Championships in Doha proves sport and politics are a deadly cocktail: "Sports and politics do mix, and it is a deadly cocktail that can only lead to more corruption and more human rights atrocities." Ireland's Ciara Mageean finished fifth to qualify for the semi-final in the 1500m yesterday, and Ian O'Riordan explains she may need to improve her lifetime best of 4:01.21 this evening, as only the top five in the two races, plus the two fastest non-qualifiers, go through to Saturday's 12-woman final.
