Nicky Henderson’s season has always revolved around Cheltenham, but this year’s Festival could arguably be as important as any during his long and distinguished career.

It has been an interesting and revealing few weeks in the evolution of this Irish team.

Colin Montgomerie is delighted to see Rory McIlroy take over at the top of the world rankings — but he still thinks Tiger Woods will win next month’s Masters at Augusta.

Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell have no doubt Rory McIlroy’s rise to world No 1 will mark a new era of golfing dominance by the Holywood hotshot.

Having only won once in Paris over the last 40 years, a draw should have been a positive for Ireland.

Ireland and Munster suffered a huge blow yesterday when both captain Paul O’Connell and scrum-half Conor Murray were ruled out of action for between three and six weeks.

Ruby Walsh has an enviable book of rides at Cheltenham as he bids to add to his record tally of winners at the Festival.

Double try scorer Tommy Bowe has backed his team to put the smiles back on their faces in time for their next RBS 6 Nations encounter against Scotland this Saturday.

As things transpired, the postponement of the Six Nations meeting of France and Ireland for three weeks was rendered inconsequential.

Last Wednesday at Lansdowne Road, Ireland were given another lesson in the dangers of playing possession-based teams.

The Premier League will investigate whether it is feasible to bring in goal-line technology for next season ahead of a July decision by football’s law-makers.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has praised his players for their continued hard graft during a “draining” campaign.

Jason McAteer has revealed how Stephen Cluxton left him nursing another headache after last year’s All-Ireland SFC final.

Shay Given is confident Richard Dunne will be fit for the European Championship finals amid fears the defender’s recovery from a broken collarbone could yet see him in a race against time to get back on the pitch before the tournament begins in June.

Munster legend Alan Quinlan has warned the province they’ll have a big void to fill following the return of head coach Tony McGahan to Australia at the end of the season.

The news Tony McGahan is to return to his native Australia to become defence coach with the Wallabies is superb for him on a personal level but not so good for Munster.

MUNSTER rugby chiefs will today accept defeat in their bid to retain the services of head coach Tony McGahan beyond the end of the season.

The jury may remain in session on this Irish team, but Paul O’Connell’s belief in the potential of the national selection has not wavered, even if he accepted yesterday there was room for the graph to shoot upwards.

Declan Kidney has promised Tomás O’Leary that a move to France will not preclude him from playing for Ireland again.

It says everything about the fractured nature of this season’s Six Nations championship that Wales could well be celebrating a Triple Crown success before France take to the field in Murrayfield for their second game of the tournament.