Next stop, Paris
With the dust barely settled on Ireland’s 16-16 draw with Wales last Sunday attentions now turn to Saturday’s trip to Paris to take on Guy Noves’s new-look France side.
It is a very tight turnaround for Ireland, particularly after such a gruelling Six Nations opener, and boss Joe Schmidt is more than wary of the threat posed by Les Bleus, who showed small glimpses of the Gallic flair of old in their narrow opening win against Italy.
Schmidt said: You’re just going to have to be careful whatever you do, because they’re audacious in what they’re looking to deliver at the moment and if they make it work, gee, they could run up a big score in a hurry.”
Gerry Thornley column
While neither side was particularly pleased with Sunday's draw, it keeps both sides in the hunt for the Championship, and in his column today Gerry Thornley suggests this is now the main target for each side.
He writes: “Where before a Grand Slam was the primary goal, followed by the Triple Crown, now the main aim is the Six Nations title, with the Slam the ultimate bonus and, to be truthful, the Triple Crown strictly third in the pecking order.”
And it will be a tall order for Schmidt’s side to take even the title: “For their part, Ireland must now go to Paris and London, cities where they last achieved a double in 1972, and the first of those games is six days away. Changes are inevitable.”
Ross and Healy return to training
Both Mike Ross and Cian Healy took part in trainingwith Leinster yesterday as they look to complete their recovery from injury, and Schmidt could bring Ross back into the starting line-up for the fixture at the Stade de France if he proves his fitness.
McGrath raring to go
Elsewhere Ian O'Riordan has spoken to Tipperary hurling star Noel McGrath, who is looking forward to the 2016 season after winning his battle with cancer last year.
He said: “I’m just looking forward to getting this year going, getting back to normality. I got some great support and people have been really good to me, and I really appreciate that.
“But I suppose I’m 25 years of age now and you don’t realise how quick your career goes. So now it’s all about being back playing, hoping Tipp can be successful in 2016.”
Zouma out for six months
Chelsea's Kurt Zouma has been ruled out for six months after damaging knee ligaments during his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester United, and this could prolong the Stamford Bridge career of John Terry, whose contract at the club expires in June.
Can Vautour stay Cheltenham trip?
The top four in the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup - Vautour, Don Poli, Djakadam and Don Cossack - are all trained in Ireland, and Naitonal Hunt handicapper Noel O'Brien believes it is the strongest Gold Cup team he can remember being sent across the water.
However he also feels current favourite Vautour will have to deliver an all-time great performance to take the prize, with serious doubts over his ability to stay the trip at Prestbury Park.
What to watch out for:
Football
West Ham take on Liverpool at Upton Park in their FA Cup fourth round replay. (BT Sport 2, 7.45pm ko)
Cricket
England take on South Africa in the third ODI with the chance to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead. (SS2, 11am onwards)
