The Irish group are down to a trio for their upcoming tour, write Casey Cooper-Fiske and Hannah Roberts

England are the only European team qualified so far for World Cup 2026. How needs what and when of the other nations? 

The UK and Ireland-hosted Euro 2028 has its official launch in London on Wednesday.

Injury kept Cancelo out of last month’s meeting with Ireland but he’s likely to deputise for Roberto Martinez’s latest casualty Nuno Mendes at left-back.

The renewed agreement includes the naming rights for Aviva Stadium until 2030 and the continued sponsorship of the Republic of Ireland Senior Men's and Women's International teams.

Recent examples of phoney sports stories going viral are as numerous as they are concerning, writes Adam Moynihan

Andy Farrell’s side fell away in the final quarter against the All Blacks in Chicago then rescued another underwhelming effort against Japan at home last week.

The young Boys in Green knew a draw would be enough to finish top of the standings and with it secure a kinder tie in the Round of 32, which will take place on Friday (Kick-off, 3.15pm Irish time).

Carter Gordon, the latest player to wear the 10 jersey for Australia this year, said Joe Schmidt has made the Wallabies squad "more like a family".

Tadhg Beirne was a predictable winner in the Men’s player category.

Given Ireland will probably need to avoid defeat to avoid being eliminated from the battle for second with Sunday to spare, the 29-year-old has called for an adventurous outlook by his team.

Ford replaces Fin Smith while Freddie Steward and Tom Roebuck also return against the All Blacks on Saturday.

The most popular game in the country is suffering from a reputational and leadership crisis at the top.

Cullen’s workrate, breaking up play and dictating the pace of the game, tends to go unnoticed. Becoming the matchwinner changes that perception.

Rassie Erasmus's world champions laid down a marker against France last weekend. They'll head for Dublin next week.

It's a lovely, lovely accolade to get for sure and I appreciate those who voted for me and it's obviously a big honour. A lot of big names have won it in the past so, yeah, it's a big honour for sure."

O’Toole’s grandfather emigrated from Dún Laoghaire in 1958. His sister Jillian was first to activate her Irish roots for football by joining Treaty United this season and her brother is the bolter among Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad this week.

Ronaldo plans to retire in one or two years. The 2026 World Cup will be his last and he hopes son Cristiano Jr is better than him

Mohamed Salah has drifted from crucial to peripheral in big games, and Arne Slot’s decision to keep picking him is strange.

The pro-doping Enhanced Games are scheduled to take place in Las Vegas