WALES will chase their second successive Six Nations title today – and Martyn Williams believes it would represent “a bigger achievement” than last year’s Grand Slam.

Wales need to record their biggest victory over Ireland for 26 years when they face mission improbable at the Millennium Stadium next Saturday.

IF a week is a long time in politics then it can be a lifetime in professional sport.

Eoin English

THE Government drive to encourage women to breastfeed could be jeopardised if the Indaver Ireland proposal for a hazardous waste incinerator goes ahead in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

YOU might have expected the battle-hardened golfers of Portmarnock to be just a little blasé after winning their 18th Bulmers Irish Senior Cup at Lisburn on Saturday but such was, in fact, far from the case.

The bans imposed last weekend on South Africans Robbie Kempson and Bakkies Botha for, respectively, a late cheap shot on Toutai Kefu and “deliberately attacking the face” of Aussie hooker Brendan Cannon, has highlighted once more the basic fact that rugby probably has more ‘bad boys’ than most sports. Declan Colley looks back at some of the sport’s anti-heroes.

WALES coach Steve Hansen believes that today’s RBS 6 Nations Championship appointment clash with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium should be a pressure-free occasion for his players.

Wales captain Jonathan Humphreys is set to make his final international appearance on home soil tomorrow, but the Bath hooker has no intention of letting emotion affect his performance.

The future looks bright at Blackburn: Damien Duff has signed a new contract, David Thompson has joined the club and, perhaps most surprisingly of all, Corrado Grabbi has emerged as an important part of manager Graeme Souness’ plans.