Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named the League Managers Association’s manager of the year

Earls has been included in Andy Farrell’s extended World Cup training squad after an injury-ravaged season that curtailed his involvement to five starts and four off the bench for Munster.

As ever when it comes to squad announcements, it is the names of those not on the list that catches the eye first.

What’s evident is that the door has closed appreciably for those not named in the Ireland RWC training squad announced on Tuesday.

Andre Marriner has announced his retirement from refereeing after a distinguished 23-year career in football’s upper echelons

Napoli are seeking a replacement for Luciano Spalletti, who is standing down after winning Serie A, and Luis Enrique is one of their leading candidates

Fresh from his URC win with Munster RG Snyman is back with South Africa for the first time in two years. 

Lifetime stadium bans form one deterrent but how this unfolds from the police inquiry is what is being closely watched.

Lockyer was carried off on a stretcher after just eight minutes of the Hatters’ Wembley win against Coventry and remains in hospital.

The starting group will include four uncapped players in the Leinster pair of Jamie Osborne and Ciaran Frawley, Munster wing Calvin Nash and Ulster hooker Tom Stewart

Here we look at five in-demand players and assess where they could end up when the new season comes around.

Six Nations and Champions Cup produced classic matches in a campaign where rugby union’s future came under the spotlight.

Novak Djokovic eased into the second round of the French Open but risked inflaming political tensions in his home region with a message about Kosovo

Heinrich Malan’s side will have to take on their hosts without star seam bowler Josh Little whose request for some time off was accepted after five months spent on the road

A penny for Andy Farrell’s thoughts on Saturday as any number of Munster players, some of them rarely seen in green jerseys, made everyone sit up and take notice

When Sergio García burst on to the golf scene more than two decades ago, there was excitement about a player who was carefree on the course and had a twinkle in his eye off it

“We’ve been the whole year fighting to be in that position to win titles and we will try absolutely everything to try to win.”

Felix Jones admits it will be a wrench to leave South Africa when he joins England but he will do so eternally grateful for the opportunities he has been given by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber

From Rico Lewis to Evan Ferguson, the future of the Premier League seems to be in good hands.

Another week of sporting action to look forward to with the All Ireland U20 hurling final between Cork and Offaly, taking place on Sunday, an all Munster affair in the All Ireland Football Championship as Kerry make the trip to Cork and the French Open is taking place at Roland Garros.