The Ireland squad received a major boost yesterday with the news that first-choice tighthead prop Mike Ross is winning his race to be fit for next Saturday’s crunch second-test in Christchurch.

If yesterday’s press briefing was anything to go by then the Kiwi public have already lost interest in the Irish challenge on what is fast becoming a tour from hell.

Irish golf legend Christy O’Connor Jr. has made an emotional appeal to tourism chiefs to help promote the nations’ courses to foreign golfers.

Damien Duff believes Ireland can summon something of the spirit of the Stade de France as they attempt to pick up the pieces from their opening Group C loss to Croatia.

Germany striker Mario Gomez has hit back at criticism of his performance in their win over Portugal by pointing out only Lionel Messi scored more Champions League goals than him last season and questioning why he should change his game.

There were any number of moments on Sunday night that indicated an Irish team playing below its best but perhaps none were more alarming than the sight of Richard Dunne being hounded out of possession in that fraught opening half.

An arduous club season, no matter how successful, might not be the platform on which the national side can thrive

Spain’s draw with a surprisingly impressive Italy was not a bad result for the defending Euro champions, but their performance threw up more questions than answers ahead of their clash with Ireland on Thursday.

England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed his players will not be following France’s lead by using ice jackets to cool down in Donetsk today.

Germany coach Joachim Loew felt Mario Gomez’s winning goal in the Euro 2012 victory over Portugal justified his decision to start with the Bayern Munich striker ahead of Miroslav Klose.

IF THERE is one attribute that defines New Zealand rugby players, it’s that they never rest on their laurels for too long.

Ireland is almost certain to have a dressage rider at the Olympics, with Anna Merveldt the likely contender.

Christy O’Connor Jr today oversees the official re-launch of the Galway Bay Golf Resort, keen to showcase the way his creation is bucking a miserable economic trend for the clubs in this country.

Ukraine manager Oleh Blokhin believes the co-hosts will have to cope with a “tornado” of interest if they are to start Euro 2012 with a win against Sweden.

Ireland’s Peter O’Leary and David Burrows signalled their intent for London 2012 on Saturday when they won gold at the pre-Olympic world cup regatta in Weymouth.

It was always going to be a monumental challenge playing the world champions on their home turf, but any notions Ireland could catch the All Blacks cold on their first run-out of the season were quickly dispelled at Eden Park on Saturday.

POT MEETS KETTLE

Does any country shoot itself in the foot with such consistency as England?

Steven Gerrard has challenged England to overcome the loss of several key players when they launch their Euro 2012 campaign against France in Donetsk.

France coach Laurent Blanc says Yann M’Vila has returned to fitness following his ankle injury, but said he was unlikely to start tonight’s opener against England.