For the rugby establishment, the presence of pool stage cannon fodder is a necessary evil, padding out the field, creating the sense of a smorgasbord

While Rory has remained firmly buttoned up so far, it is Shane who has had a bawl before he has even struck a ball

The phrase ‘7-1 split’ sounds like something you’d pull off to win a hand of Texas Hold ‘Em, some lowdown, dirty move that would get you kicked out of the lousiest saloon bar.

Some are saying we should give it Keano till end of t’campaign. Maybe he’d bring Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher and knock a series of the Overlap out of it.

It is hard not to feel that Ireland are easing themselves into this World Cup

Just because Vera Pauw deserved a new contract, doesn’t mean she should have gotten one.

Such is the aura that surrounds the Glenties man, he could not have generated more fervour had he ridden into the Donegal GAA Centre of Excellence on a donkey, followed by a trail of newly healed lepers - or as we in Donegal like to call them, Tyrone people

This is a positive piece about the Irish squad as they prepare for le grands departs in just over three weeks’ time.

The Premier League remains sure of itself, there is just the slightest sense that the barbarians are – if not quite hammering at the gates – then at least knocking politely.

He will be judged to have made big, brave calls, none more so than allowing a fortysomething Stephen Cluxton to amble back into the dressing room after two years away.