1. #SIX NATIONS Ireland manager Declan Kidney will this afternoon name his side for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Italy.
Yesterday, Jonny Sexton confirmed that he is fit to start on Saturday if selected. The Leinster and Ireland out-half complained of groin tightness in the run-up to Ireland’s postponed game against France ten days ago, but is confident that he will be ready for the weekend.
2. #SETANTA CUP Cliftonville’s reward for beating St Patrick’s Athletic in Inchicore is a two-legged tie against defending champions Shamrock Rovers in the second round of the 2012 Setanta Sports Cup.
Bohemians will face Crusaders, Linfield meet Derry City while Sligo Rovers take Glentoran. The second leg ties will be played on 5 and 20 March.
3. #BOXING BRAWL Dereck Chisora apologised ‘wholeheartedly’ yesterday for his part in Saturday’s post-fight dust-up with David Haye in Munich. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) has called Chisora to appear before them on a misconduct charge on 14 March.
In a statement of his own, Haye explained his decision to leave Munich on an earlier flight by saying that he feared Chisora may follow through with his threat to “shoot” him.
4. #EURO 2012 Giovanni Trapattoni added James McClean and Paul Green to his Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendly against the Czech Republic yesterday.
“Absolutely buzzin and honoured to be called up to represent my country,” McClean tweeted after hearing of his first senior call-up. “Best feeling there is.”
5. #CONNACHT RUGBY Leinster prop Nathan White will move out west to Connacht at the end of the season. White, 30, signed a three-year contract which will see him remain with Eric Elwood’s men until the end of the 2014/15 season.