THE one area of consistent performance from the unpredictable French has been the solidity of their set piece.

SINCE Graham Henry took over the All Blacks in 2004, they have an 85% winning record in tests.

DUBLIN-based sports management company Horizon, headed by Galway man Conor Ridge, pulled off its biggest coup yesterday with the news that US Open champion and world No 3 Rory McIlroy will become their latest acquisition after leaving Andrew “Chubby” Chandler’s International Sports Management (ISM) company.

THE announcement that Rory McIlroy split from management company International Sports Management (ISM), headed by Chubby Chandler, will come as a surprise to many but others who have been following Rory’s meteoric rise through the pro ranks saw this one coming.

WITH a few weeks to go, I feel we are still at a safe enough remove from the European Championship play-offs for your (admittedly nervous) correspondent to make an unusually bold prediction: Ireland will qualify for the 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.

KEVEN MEALAMU has paid a glowing tribute to New Zealand coach Graham Henry as the All Blacks supremo prepares for his final game at the helm.

THERE’S pressure, and there’s what Graham Henry is enduring at the moment.

AS the eldest of eight children, Marc Lievremont’s robust style in coaching the French rugby squad should perhaps surprise nobody.

MUNSTER’S ongoing front-row injury problems have ensured John Hayes’ glittering career with the province will be further extended, after he was named in their Heineken Cup squad for the 2011/’12 season last night.

BRAZIL’S 2014 World Cup will see potential travel trauma for fans — and the latest kick-off times ever for a finals tournament, with matches starting as late as 10pm, or 2am in Ireland.

EVENTING IRELAND (EI) chairman John Wright yesterday revealed that the organisation’s membership has dropped by almost 40% in just three years.

AT a time when consumers closely watch every expense, the simple joy of a daily cup of coffee remains undimmed even in difficult economic times.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry today named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against France at Eden Park.

THE All Blacks need to dump the throat-slitting gesture at the end of the Kapa O Pango haka as it reminds people the “Maoris (sic) once engaged in unspeakable conduct”, according to an Australian commentator.

RORY McILROY is now facing a serious 2012 scheduling dilemma with the official release of next year’s PGA Tour schedule.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL is backing Sergio Garcia to be part of his Ryder Cup team next September on the course where he became a world star.

LAST Sunday at Crosshaven more than 70 boats participated in the Autumn Series, Whitesail 1 and Whitesail 2 together with Classes 3 and 4 raced in the harbour.

FOOTBALL Player of the Year nominee Darran O’Sullivan believes the GAA should have helped those caught in a club versus country tug-of-war due to the International Rules series.

MUNSTER’S new signing, Will Chambers, and scrum-half Tomas O’Leary will both see game time for the Munster A team in the Sportsground, Galway, today against Connacht (kick-off 2pm).

WALES coach Warren Gatland is unlikely to face an International Rugby Board (IRB) investigation following his controversial comments about faking injury.