England’s Danny Willett set his sights on a place in the Ryder Cup after holding his nerve to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and take a massive step towards a place in the world’s top 10.

Scotland 9 England 15: Eddie Jones has urged England to build momentum behind their RBS 6 Nations quest by giving Italy a “good hiding” in Rome.

Manchester City 1 Leicester City 3: Claudio Ranieri has gone from the curse of the Faroes to the top of the pyramid, and the genial Leicester City manager is threatening to smile all the way to the Premier League title.

Prior to Fairyhouse last Saturday, Willie Mullins had what could be best described as three good things lined up for the Cheltenham Festival, Faugheen, Douvan and Un De Sceaux.

Neil McManus knows it’s high time Cushendall’s litany of hard luck stories ended on All-Ireland semi-final day.

The European transfer window is not so European any more, with Chinese clubs outspending even the continent’s richest clubs in January to prove that the country is now a genuine power in attracting the world’s best players.

Kehlan Kirwan looks at the Web Summit, at Ireland’s self-deprecation, and why we are losing much more than just an event on the calendar.

Irish international Robbie Henshaw says he might leave Connacht at the end of the season, but that he has yet to be approached by the IRFU to start contract talks.

Naas hosts today’s horse racing action and Macbride can overcome an absence by taking the opening Welcome To Toomevara GAA Raceday Maiden Hurdle for Aidan O’Brien.

Hurricane Fly is collecting the pension. Douvan is going chasing and Jezki is injured and out for the foreseeable future so it looks like it is going to be a drab hurdling season. Think again. There will be a thousand great stories through the winter and ten of them could be here.

Owner Nick Peacock is hopeful Arctic Fire can gain a deserved victory in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan tomorrow.