NORTHAMPTON SAINTS are determined to complete their European revenge mission against Munster on Saturday after ending the Scarlets Heineken Cup hopes.

Sandy Park in Exeter may seem an odd place to begin the countdown to Ireland’s 2012 RBS 6 Nations campaign but it is there the final pieces of Declan Kidney’s initial championship squad will fall into place as the Wolfhounds take on England Saxons this evening (5pm).

Wales prop Rhys Thomas has undergone surgery after being treated for a heart condition suffered in training with the Scarlets.

Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal last night spoke of his decision to continue his role in Declan Kidney’s management set-up rather than pursue the head coaching role of his native South Africa.

Stephen Ferris takes questions with a look of calm, if not outright satisfaction.

MORE than anything, show jumper Jessica Kürten saw her first major grand prix win in over a year last Sunday as one of portent.

Every sport has its own strongholds, places where the game is bred in the bone.

How, you ask, did one of The White Stripes’ singles first become an Italian football chant — and then be omnipresent in games across the globe?

Munster hat-trick hero Simon Zebo has been given a chance to stake a senior international claim after being selected for the Ireland Wolfhounds in the A international against England Saxons in Exeter tomorrow (5pm).

The excitement is building and I don’t think there is any fatigue, as such.

ANOTHER little snippet of history will be written on Sunday week when Ireland kick off a Six Nations campaign for the very first time at their gleaming new home on Lansdowne Road against Warren Gatland’s Wales.

The Cork footballers’ Allianz Division 1 opener away to Armagh will clash with Sunday week’s Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and Wales.

SATURDAY

Even now, with his Olympic dream just six months from becoming reality, the legacy of Kieran Behan’s painful and traumatic journey from life-threatening injury and illness tolife-affirming achievement is all too evident.

Four managers have come and gone, countless millions has been squandered on players not good enough to wear the shirt and many a tear has been shed.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has warned his players to expect a Six Nations backlash from Ireland when the Celtic nations renew rivalries following their World Cup quarter-final clash.

Football Association chairman David Bernstein has leapt to the defence of referee Howard Webb following a sustained attack on the official in the wake of Mario Balotelli’s violent conduct charge.

With a piece of his skull at home as a constant reminder of what he has been through, former Ryder Cup player JB Holmes resumes his career at Torrey Pines today.

Ireland’s Six Nations captain Paul O’Connell has endorsed coach Declan Kidney’s policy of selection continuity ahead of the 2012 championship.

Referees for this season’s RBS 6 Nations championship have been told to carry on their emphasis on the International Rugby Board’s five main areas of concern outlined before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.