No AIL, no Ireland Under-20 success. Noel McNamara has stressed the importance of club rugby to the success of Ireland’s age-grade player pathway, as his side bids to continue the winning start to its Six Nations title defence.

Ireland will book their spot at next year’s World Cup if they overcome Afghanistan in their final qualifier this morning after Zimbabwe suffered a shock defeat to the UAE in Harare.

Ireland’s women cricketers are through to the Super Six stage of the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Sri Lanka following India’s emphatic nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe.