Ireland looking to honour Tommy Wade

Next Sunday in the French Nations Cup at La Baule, the Irish team will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to legendary show jumper Tommy Wade who exited the arena of life in his 80th year on Monday.

Ireland’s manager Rodrigo Pessoa says that this team will do everything in their power to win this weekend’s contest in Wade’s honour.

It won’t be easy. None of the opposition will yield an inch out of respect to the Irish - this is a competitive fixture in the top European division of the nations cup league, and countries are anxious for early-season points which will take the pressure off as the summer progresses and the world championships loom.