Dave Attwood insists England must not allow themselves to be "dazzled by the starlight" when they open their RBS 6 Nations against Wales on Friday night The injury-ravaged 2015 World Cup hosts face a side packed full of British and Irish Lions knowing that defeat would leave them with an uphill struggle to claim a first title under Stuart Lancaster.

William Buick and James Doyle are set to clock up some considerable air miles in the coming weeks and months after John Ferguson confirmed Godolphin’s two principal riders are likely to be in action during the prestigious Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Zarkandar will head straight to the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with an upbeat report from trainer Paul Nicholls.

Irish riders failed to make an impression in Saturday’s $372,000 World Cup grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, but Darragh Kenny and Conor Swail scored a couple of consolation prizes in the run-up.

So the game didn’t live up to the hype — but then it never really was going to, writes Trizia Fiorellino.

Steven Gerrard’s forthcoming move to LA Galaxy means he will fail to join an illustrious band of professional footballers who have spent their entire senior careers at one club.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) chairman Pat Wall believes the organisation is doing enough to ensure equestrian sport is clean, but concedes “we have to continue to be vigilant”.

Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley is already planning Ireland’s bid for Olympic golf glory in Rio in 2016, and says he will travel to Brazil at least twice in 2015 to scout the course that the likes of Rory McIlroy will confront.

The fact remains that this is a club with a default setting of one step forward followed by two back, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Stars like Andre Schurrle helped Chelsea earn more than $1 million from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny deserves his place as Arsenal number one, according to double winner Bob Wilson.

A nutrition course targeting the toxic fat around the waist is not a diet but a way of living, says Clodagh Finn.

Jonjo O’Neill finally broke free of his mid-winter lull as Rose Revived supplied him with his first winner since mid-November in the closing bumper at Ludlow.

The world of golf is looking for a player to step up to the plate and challenge Rory McIlroy for supremacy this year and that certain someone could be Tiger Woods, said Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

The golf seasons tend to merge into each other these days, so much so that this week’s first European Tour event of 2015 is actually the third of the 2015 season, writes Phil Casey.

Manchester United are set to announce the signing of former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on an 18-month contract.

Munster’s position as one of European rugby’s movers and shakers came under renewed pressure yesterday as the province lost its fight to keep rising homegrown star JJ Hanrahan.

Leinster’s Champions Cup planning has been thrown into some disarray after Jack McGrath was suspended for the final two pool games.

Simon Zebo is looking for a strong showing with Munster this New Year to maintain his hold on Ireland’s number 11 jersey heading into what he calls a "massive year" for Irish rugby.

Jezki remains on course for another clash with great rival Hurricane Fly in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle back at Leopardstown on January 25.