FOR 15 years Ronan O’Gara has been the pivot at the centre of progress of a highly skilled group of Irish and Munster rugby players.

I’m Not Really Here: A Life of Two Halves

Deadlock: Dublin v Meath 1991

SO what was your first thought when you heard the news that David Villa had broken his leg in Yokahama? Poor chap, what an awful blow and, at first, it all looked so innocuous too?

JOE SCHMIDT takes his Leinster team back to the Aviva Stadium tonight looking for a similar return against pool rivals Bath (6pm) as they achieved at the same stage last season against Clermont Auvergne.

BEFORE we even start talking, Donncha O’Callaghan is radiating purpose like a healthy glow; he could be one of those Ready Brek kids from the old TV ads.

TO my mind, sporting folklore has concerned itself too often with the underdog.

BARCELONA striker David Villa faces a major battle to prove his fitness for Spain’s Euro 2012 squad as the club confirmed he will be sidelined for between “four and five months” after breaking his shinbone in yesterday’s 4-0 Club World Cup semi-final victory over Al-Sadd.

RHYS PRIESTLAND is confident the Scarlets can snap their 13-match losing streak against Munster on Sunday.

THOMAS WINTERS’ most magic moment was leading out Manchester United at Old Trafford with none other than his hero, Roy Keane, by his side.

GERMAN defender Per Mertesacker believes he will go from strength to strength at the heart of the Arsenal backline.

JOHN HAYES’S short-term deal to continue playing for with Munster looks set to end on schedule in the New Year, Munster have confirmed.

THE vast wealth of a Dubai company called DP World and their willingness to pour a major share of their riches into this week’s Dubai World Championship means Rory McIlroy could still emerge as Europe’s number one golfer.

LOOK, over there in the distance.

FIFA chairman Sepp Blatter believes England are still sore about failing to secure the 2018 World Cup.

IRELAND’S elite Olympic sailors are amongst the favourites at the third multi-class ISAF Sailing World Championships which start this weekend at Perth, Australia.

ONE of the first aspects on the agenda of Horizon Sports Conor Ridge in managing the affairs of Rory McIlroy has been to curb the ‘madness’ of his client’s heavy end-of-season schedule.

MARTIN O’NEILL was deep in negotiations with Sunderland yesterday as Alex Ferguson issued a ringing endorsement of his credentials.

Yes, says Jonathen Wilson

UEFA president MichelPlatini says he would be willing to move European soccer club competitions in order to allow the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be played in the winter.