Irish rugby circles are delighted at the nomination of young Garry Ringrose for Player of the Tournament at the IRB Junior World Cup in New Zealand.

THE decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for the National Children’s Hospital at Eccles Street, Dublin 1, has come as a bolt out of the blue to the development board of the National Paediatric Hospital, government ministers, the HSE and the Department of Health. I don’t like saying “I told you so.”

Full-back Billy Murphy and flanker Daniel Mallon are definitely out and three-quarters Mark Buckley and Michael Sweetman are doubtful for Carlow's trip to league leaders Galwegians.