John Carver, the latest in a long line of men to be handed the ticking time bomb that is the job of manager at Newcastle United, has been fielding questions about his players’ choice of footwear for some weeks now.

So, has it always been rugby with you?

Chances are that, like the vast majority of those who delve into the sports page for a daily dose of sustenance, your annual digression into the world of horse racing has come and gone in the past week.

It’s four years since Gavin Sheehan left Ireland to try his hand abroad and yesterday’s triumph in the World Hurdle on Cole Harden is proof that the grass can actually be greener on the other side, writes Brendan O’Brien.

The ‘Cult of Joe’ that has fastened itself around the team and its coach is no bad thing, writes Brendan O’Brien.

"Non," said Philippe Saint-Andre two weeks ago.

Ireland have stuttered over the line against the Azzurri but more intriguing is people are grumbling after a win over France

Joe Schmidt likes to play it with a straight bat when it comes to the pageantry and paraphernalia that accompanies his Irish rugby team. 

Kayser Soze, Kevin Spacey’s memorable villain in ‘The Usual Suspects’, delivered one of cinema’s greatest lines 20 years ago when he reasoned the devil’s greatest trick was convincing the world he didn’t exist, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Another weekend of bumper fare for the Six Nations.