Maintaining the resurgence with wins, rather than tinkering with the Euros in mind, is his objective. 

Oscillating standards between levels is a challenge, evidenced by them matching a 6-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid last week with the scoreline of a win over Scales’ former Dons at the weekend.

Nienaber spent 18 months with Munster as defence coach under Rassie Erasmus before the pair cut short their time in Ireland and returned home to take over a South African national team that was in the doldrums at the time.

Interview: Scrum doctor Mike Cron went from poacher to gamekeeper when he turned in his All Blacks training top for a World Rugby role as a set-piece consultant. His verdict on the tight at the World Cup? 'I reckon they got 90% right'

The Aston Villa defender, who won the Under-20 World Cup in 2017 and also played for England Under-21s, has been brought into the senior set-up.

Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said: “Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances".

Munster coach Denis Leamy emphasised Peter O'Mahony's status among his peers as a reason for his potential elevation to the national team captaincy.

Brazilian footballer Dani Alves will face trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub last year, a Spanish court said.

Diaz arrived in Bogota before flying to Barranquilla – the national team base for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil

He's going to bring a wealth of experience and he's got a good few medals in his back pocket as well.

The Framework Agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which blindsided players when it was announced in June, was due to be finalised by the end of the year.

Virgin Media's live coverage of the World Cup quarter-final loss to the All Blacks is the most watched television programme in Ireland this year

The former referee’s new autobiography is required reading and lays bare some of the more disturbing aspects of modern rugby.

Leading agent discusses sexism in football, the prospect of selling a digital Erling Haaland and what Paul Pogba is really like

Barron suffered a head injury in Friday's defeat by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium

Power, 20, and Naas man O’Rourke, 32, were left wondering what might have been as they missed the four-round cut by the slimmest of margins

Bundee Aki is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up at the World Cup in France. 

Police launched an investigation following hateful chanting at City’s home game on October 21 about the death of Manchester United and England great Bobby Charlton

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold iswatching video clips of some of the world's greatest midfielders in order to gain greater understanding.

This weekend is the turn of the women as Shelbourne take on Athlone Town in a repeat of last years Women's FAI Cup Final. The Rep of Ireland U21s are back in action as they aim to remain top of the group and the Euro Qualifiers return this week - all you need to know about another bumper week of sport ahead.