This is the time Andy Farrell has been planning for. The moment that has been in his mind since he was a teenager at the outset of a glittering professional rugby life.

Conor Murray was delighted to be reunited with Andy Farrell at Munster this week but despite Farrell’s arrival as coaching consultant, the Ireland star insists there has been nothing lacking from the existing team management.

Blackpool will now begin their first Barclays Premier League campaign away after Wigan agreed to reverse the venue for their opening fixture.

Dave Whelan is transferring ownership of Wigan's stadium to the football club within the next six weeks.