Against the lure of leaving for a higher seeded nation in Scotland, Michael O’Neill believes his relevant voice in the Northern Ireland dressing-room was central to him staying.

And so it begins. There was a new venue in west London yesterday as the self-styled Rugby’s Greatest Championship was rechristened the NatWest 6 Nations to reflect the updated title sponsor.

Future Six Nations could start two weeks later in the season to help reshape the global calendar, according to tournament chief executive John Feehan.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

Seamus Coleman successfully came through just under an hour of football at Goodison Park last night as he played his first competitive match since breaking his leg last March.

Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation’s president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

Former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has hit out at the hardline stance taken by Joe Schmidt and the IRFU which has resulted in both Simon Zebo and Tadhg Beirne being omitted from the coach’s Six Nations squad.

So Martin O’Neill’s new Ireland contract is finally signed and sealed — now the manager waits to see what today’s Nations League draw delivers.

Uefa is considering a cap on agents’ fees following a meeting of its Professional Football Strategy Group.

The ultimate cost of every product includes the financial and environmental cost of disposal, writes Gerard Howlin

Henrikh Mkhitaryan last night described his move to Arsenal from Manchester United as a “dream come true”.

Nigeria will battle with Ireland to nail down the international future of Southampton teen striker Michael Obafemi but England also haven’t given up hope of landing the Premier League newcomer.

Alexis Sanchez has finally left the Emirates to pick up a reported €570,000-a-week contract at Manchester United but the Chilean couldn’t resist one last dig at Arsenal legends who have labelled him “the biggest mercenary in football”.

It’s the job of the Ireland U20s coach to push and prod the players of tomorrow further down the development line but Noel McNamara found himself talking about one from the past yesterday.

This time two years ago, Ciara Griffin had yet to be capped by Ireland. Seventeen caps later and the Munster and UL Bohs flanker was this week named Ireland captain.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

Steve McClaren has warned Alexis Sanchez’s wages could create dressing-room disharmony at Manchester United.

Monday morning Quarterbacking with Daniel Storey.

Peter Jackson looks at what the weekend’s European rugby action has thought us. 

Arsenal 4 - Crystal Palace 1: An emphatic first win of the New Year does not definitively prove there is a bright future for Arsenal without Alexis Sanchez but manager Arsene Wenger confirmed his players had been destabilised by the uncertainty over the Chilean’s transfer to Manchester United.