Its forensic examination broke all records for the longest the tournament has known, a state of suspense lasting for the best part of five minutes.

"He can beat me 10 times this season and if I beat him in the Olympic final, I’m the Olympic champion.” 

Ange Postecoglou believes that Heung Min Son is the best attacking player in the Premier League.

The Armagh man — unlike practically everybody else — has made no secret of his desire for the job, and of all the abilities he may list on his patchy resume, availability may be the most prescient one.

With Cape Verde, Angola, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea all making an impression, this Cup of Nations is full of positives

Warren Gatland's visitors led 14-5 at the break at Twickenham and had chances to extend lead but let rivals edge back in to take scruffy win

Andy Farrell’s men launched their campaign with a record bonus-point win away to France, while the Azzurri were narrowly beaten by England.

The champions are favourites to win a fourth Premier League title in succession and are also in strong contention to retain the Champions League and FA Cup.

The Wales centre, who wins his 119th cap against England at Twickenham on Saturday, also clocks up 50 appearances in the Six Nations Championship.

Farrell ruled himself out of the Guinness Six Nations for mental wellbeing reasons and having agreed to join Racing 92 next season, will then be ineligible for international selection.

“To put him in that position is a massive privilege for me, as I’m sure it is for Caelan and his family, so let’s recognise that, first and foremost."

The champions are favourites to win a fourth Premier League title in succession and are also in strong contention to retain the Champions League and FA Cup.

A calf injury to Sexton’s successor as skipper O’Mahony has ushered in a first-time leader in Caelan Doris and a change at blindside flanker as Ryan Baird takes over the number six jersey. 

The Association have kept in contact with the England U21 boss. 

Andy Farrell’s current squad is laced with players who took alternative paths.

Thiago was injured after playing his first 10 minutes of the campaign in Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal.

A fresh Irish team with an extra day's recovery over them from their opening round exertions is all Italy need right now. 

The 23-year-old flanker has been sidelined since sustaining knee ligament damage while playing for Glasgow against Edinburgh in December.

Marc Canham indicated endgame on the 11-week recruitment process was looming.

Unless some very intensive infrastructural improvements are set in motion, there is a real danger that the next Men’s World Cup final will be a mess.