This weekend, rugby confirms its place among the debased, increasingly cynical, and commercially compassed sports of our world.

For several years, it was not so much smoke but thick clouds of cynicism that hung over Salazar’s work as head coach at the Nike Oregon Project.

In August 1969, headlines were dominated by Northern Ireland and the beginnings of what was to become known as “the Troubles”.

Eddie Jones has batted away suggestions that his England side targeted Robbie Henshaw in Saturday's Six Nations opener in Dublin which ended with the visitors romping to a comprehensive bonus-point 32-20 victory.

Soccer has embraced VAR and it has proved successful at the World Cup. Though it will take time for it to become a seamless part of the game, it must be seen as a positive development for the sport, writes Dr Ed Coughlan.

Participating in sport is generally seen as a good thing for society. It has health benefits, both physical and mental. It can be a sociable activity promoting a sense of belonging, identity and inclusion, says Jack Anderson.

For some, the very fact that Irish professional players may need dedicated programmes on respectful relationships, the meaning of consent, etc, will be seen to reflect badly on Irish sport, writes Jack Anderson

Floyd Landis has called for Bradley Wiggins to be stripped of his 2012 Tour de France title in the wake of allegations made in a parliamentary report.

In the escalating battle for our attention, and the chance to caress our credit cards, sports broadcasting has become a hard-fought battleground.

Acclaimed sports writer David Walsh, who faced criticism for writing a court character reference for Tom Humphries, has said he unequivocally condemns the "terrible wrong" his friend committed.

Sunday Times chief sports writer David Walsh repeatedly described paedophile Tom Humphries as “a fine man” in 2012, after the latter had been arrested on suspicion of child sex offences, but before he was charged.

The Dutchman, who ran the world governing body from 1991 to 2005, had been battling leukemia.

As he gets ready for the Fastnet Film Festival, director Stephen Frears tells Esther McCarthy about his work on such movies such as Philomena and The Snapper, as well as his new-found love for West Cork

US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart has urged Fifa to move next year’s World Cup out of Russia.

Larry Ryan dons his Santa hat to dole out Christmas presents to the sporting world.

Sports columnist Paul Kimmage has been challenged by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong to conduct his interview in Dublin scheduled for next month.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Wiggins' use of triamcinolone, the same drug Lance Armstrong tested positive for at the 1999 Tour de France, came to light when Russian hackers stole medical data stored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and published it online on Wednesday.

Russia’s tennis team will be allowed to compete at the Rio Olympics this summer after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) backed the decision not to impose a blanket ban on the country’s competitors.

Chris Froome is set to win the 2016 Tour de France after Spaniard Jon Izaguirre won stage 20 to Morzine.

Russia faces being banned from the Rio 2016 Olympics after an investigation revealed “state-sponsored” doping on a wide scale in one of sport’s biggest ever scandals.

Check out our guide to the best of tonight's TV.

A former team-mate of Lance Armstrong was shocked to learn he has tested positive for testosterone and denies doping.

Q:

Rubén Plaza (Lampre-Merida) was yesterday’s stage winner of the Tour de France on a day where Chris Froome moved one step closer to winning his second Grand Tour title.

Chris Froome survived a string of attacks on the 11th stage of the Tour de France yesterday on a day Joaquim Rodriguez claimed his second mountaintop victory of the race.

Your guide to tonight's TV.

Idris Elba writes and directs King For A Term on Sky Arts, Thursday, Idris Elba as Dad and Omar Agyei as Akuna.

THE Corinthian view of sport, one that imagined it a test of courage, skill and honour, may seem hopelessly, pathetically romantic today.

Nike insists it is co-operating with the authorities after the arrests of football officials in Zurich on corruption charges on Wednesday.

A few years ago, I was captivated by all I could find about the Lance Armstrong controversy.