JOE SCHMIDT HAS a number of selection calls to ponder over the next month, including the left wing position.

While the Kiwi head coach has a decision to make regarding Ireland’s 10 shirt for the opening game of the Six Nations against Italy on 7 February, his wide options look well stocked.

Tommy Bowe would appear to be a strong favourite to retain the 14 jersey after two tries in two starts there in November, but the 11 shirt looks altogether more open.

Simon Zebo certainly put his best foot forward against South Africa and Australia, but the Munster man is not short on fellow contenders. Among the possibilities for Schmidt is the fit-again Dave Kearney, who was excellent in last year’s Six Nations success.

Having returned from a lengthy knee injury late in November, the Leinster man has now racked up six 80-minute appearances and is beginning to look closer to his best.

The likes of Zebo, Ulster’s in-form Craig Gilroy, Munster’s returning Keith Earls and Andrew Conway provide competition for that coveted Ireland slot, but even within the Leinster group Kearney highlights the fight for places.

Fergus McFadden is on a similar trajectory of form to Kearney after his own injury problems, while Zane Kirchner has plentiful experience and Darragh Fanning has been backed by head coach Matt O’Connor this season.

“[Ireland] is always at the back of your head, but my main focus at the moment is performing for Leinster and getting on the team sheet,” says Kearney.

“There’s a lot of competition for the Ireland backs and for the Leinster backs, nothing really changes.”

Kearney last played for Ireland in the Six Nations-clinching game against France in Paris. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

With his focus on Leinster at present, Kearney agrees that a crucial fortnight lies ahead for the province, with Champions Cup fixtures against Castres and Wasps to come, decisive games in the race for a quarter-final.

Easing of the injury problems in Leinster has been helpful, even if Jack McGrath’s three-week suspension came at an inopportune moment.

“I think we’ve been luckier in the past few months with guys coming back from injuries,” says Kearney of the personnel boosts.

“There’s been a lot of leaders who’ve been out who’ve come back into the frame and that brings confidence back too.

The 25-year-old admits there “probably is a bit more pressure” on the squad at this stage of the season, although Leinster have grown accustomed to managing expectations. More pertinent in this week’s build-up is sharpening the backline’s armoury.

Last week McFadden spoke of the need for Leinster’s backs to start delivering tries, a sentiment Kearney echoes:

“It was good to get four tries against Cardiff, but as a backline we need to score more tries. Hopefully it’ll be a similar game plan this weekend, get the ball a bit wider and the backs can get a bit more ball.”

Having bided his time on the sidelines for Leinster and Ireland, Kearney will want as much of that possession heading in his direction as possible.

Leinster wary of wounded animal as focus turns to weakened CastresLeinster captain Jamie Heaslip an injury doubt for visit of Castres

VERN COTTER HAS selected four uncapped players in his 32-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations, but there is no space for flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay.

All four of the new faces – Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Ben Toolis, Hugh Blake and Hamish Watson – play their club rugby for Edinburgh.

21-year-old scrum-half Hidalgo-Clyne recently starred in the Pro12 side’s win over Connacht at the Sportsground, while lock Ben Toolis [22] and back row Hamish Watson [24] have also featured extensively for Edinburgh.

22-year-old back row Blake is a native of New Zealand but qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent.

The former Otago man has yet to play a game for Edinburgh since arriving in Scotland in December, meaning his selection may raise eyebrows, particularly as Saracens’ Brown and Barclay of the Scarlets have been omitted.

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Greig Laidlaw captains the squad, which includes a total of 15 players from Gregor Townsend’s Glasgow Warriors, exciting 21-year-old centre Mark Bennett among them.

Adam Ashe, Chris Fusaro, Grant Gilchrist, Tyrone Holmes, Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Taylor and Duncan Weir were all unavailable due to injury.

Hidalgo-Clyne was instrumental in Edinburgh’s recent win over Connacht. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Cotter’s side open their Six Nations campaign with a trip to play France on 7 February, before welcoming Wales to Murrayfield eight days later.

They are at home to Italy on 28 February, and then play England at Twickenham on 14 February. Scotland’s final fixture sees them host Joe Schmidt’s Ireland on 21 March.

32-man Scotland squad for Six Nations:

Props: Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors) Geoff Cross (London Irish), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors)

Hookers: Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)

Locks: Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby)

Back rows: Hugh Blake (Edinburgh Rugby), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby)

Half-backs: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester, captain), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby)

Centres: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)

Back threes: Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby).

Blow for England as explosive Lawes set to miss start of Six NationsNew Zealand native Anscombe included in Gatland’s 34-man Six Nations squad

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

(St Michaels’ David Duggan celebrates scoring a late try)

HomeThere were wins for reigning champions UCC and NUI Galway on the opening day of Sigerson Cup action.
Favourites St Michael’s came very close to being knocked out of the Leinster Schools Cup today.One-time Ireland central-defensive stalwart Sean St Ledger is set for a trial with MLS side DC United.Niamh Briggs has been named as the new captain of the Irish Women’s Rugby team.It’s been confirmed that Belfast boxer Carl Frampton will defend his world title live on ITV.The GAA are hoping to adopt tougher sanctions against those guilty of racial or sectarian abuse of players.Ireland are optimistic that Jonathan Sexton will be fit in time for their Six Nations clash with France.

Away

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Wasps back row Ashley Johnson has been cited for his dangerous tackle on Leinster’s Dave Kearney last weekend.Sky Sports have decided to ban fans from their coverage of Transfer Deadline Day.England’s Owen Farrell is set to miss all of this year’s Six Nations owing to a knee injury.Robin van Persie has suggested his long-term future at Man United is uncertain.South African rugby has decided to experiment with new scrum laws.Mario Balotelli will assess his Liverpool future in the summer, according to his agent.The best thing we shared today

This Six Nations mockumentary will give you a laugh.

Source: BBC/YouTube

On the record

Bradford’s Irish midfielder Mark Yeates praised Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho for showing dignity in defeat at the weekend.

TOURNAMENT ORGANISERS HAVE released the fixture lists for the 2016 and 2017 Six Nations, with Ireland set to travel to Wales on a Friday night in two years’ time.

The 2015 competition gets underway this weekend as Warren Gatland’s side face England at the Millenium Stadium, but the Six Nations has provided fans with the opportunity to begin planning for the next two years.

Ireland have yet to take part in a dreaded Friday evening Six Nations fixture, but will do so on 10 March, 2017 when they visit Wales.

Next year, Ireland begin with a home clash against the Welsh on Sunday 7 February, before travelling to France on Saturday 13 February. Their third fixture sees them away to England on Saturday 27 February.

Ireland’s final two fixtures in 2016 involve a home tie against Italy on 12 March,  before another Saturday game on 19 March at home to Scotland.

Click Here: mens soccer kitIreland’s 2016 Six Nations fixtures:Ireland’s 2017 Six Nations fixtures:Favourites tag irrelevant, but Toner confident Ireland can now pull any result out of the bagJoin The42′s Fantasy Rugger league and show your Six Nations knowledge

NIGEL CAROLAN’S IRELAND U20s suffered their first defeat of the 2015 Six Nations in Donnybrook last night, as England secured a 19-14 victory.

The missed try-scoring chances from Ireland, particularly in the first half, were ultimately what cost the home team, but there were once again many positives in the performance.

This is a talented U20s crop, and here we pick out three players who particularly impressed against England.

Jeremy Loughman

Loughman proved a handful for the English defence. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The powerful prop helped Blackrock College to their Leinster Schools Senior Cup title last year, impressing with his ball-carrying power and set-piece prowess on the tighthead side of the scrum.

He has plenty of history at loosehead too though, and it’s in the number one shirt where he has nailed down a starting spot for this Ireland U20 side.

The 19-year-old demonstrated all his strength with a series of excellent carries for Ireland last night in Donnybrook, while the set-piece was at its strongest with Loughman still on the pitch.

A subtle tip-on pass to Zack McCall for a break in the build-up to Stephen Fitzgerald’s try demonstrated that the front row has good skills and an understanding of space too. Part of a large UCD contingent in this Ireland U20s group, Loughman is a promising player.

Garry Ringrose

Ringrose made linebreaks, passed well and contributed some excellent defensive reads. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Back for his second season at U20 level, the outside centre had put in accomplished performances in the wins over Italy and France prior to the England meeting, but this display saw him stand out even more.

It was with ball in hand that Ringrose did his best work, displaying the same upright and elusive running style that saw him nominated for the IRB World Junior Player of the Year award in 2014.

His timing of pass and awareness of defenders was in evidence for his assist to Fitzgerald and on other occasions. Defensively, the missed tackle for Joe Marchant’s try will truly rankle, but there were a host of other excellent hits and reads.

At the breakdown too, Ringrose made his presence felt. An outside centre of rounded quality.

Zack McCall

McCall is a bundle of sheer aggression. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Munster’s Sean McNulty appeared favourite to wear Ireland’s number two shirt during this campaign before being injured, but Ulsterman McCall has stepped up admirably to claim the hooker position.

There were lineout difficulties last time out against France, and intermittently against England last night, but those are collective issues. For the large part, McCall’s throwing was accurate in Donnybrook.

It’s around the pitch that the Queen’s University Belfast man adds most energy, constantly bursting up from the defensive line to make firm hits. McCall was overly zealous once to concede a penalty, but his chop tackles were largely effective.

The scrum-cap wearing hooker also got involved in the carrying stakes once again, making the valuable yards before Ireland’s backline sparked.

Dominant second half drives Ulster to important win over ScarletsIreland’s women beat world champions England to boost Six Nations hopes

‘PLEASE DON’T MAKE me look like a nerd,” Niamh Briggs asks with a laugh after she tells The42 that her hobby is consuming as much sports as possible, and if there are statistics to go with it, all the better.

Briggs loves all sports – a look at her Twitter feed sees congratulatory messages for Padraig Harrington and the Irish cricket team – but naturally as the captain of the Ireland women’s team, the oval ball plays the biggest role in her life.

Ireland’s fairytale run to the World Cup semi-final last August grabbed the country’s attention and last Friday saw a memorable 11-8 win over England, the team who comprehensively beat them in that final four game.

Briggs talks enthusiastically about the impact the Irish team’s recent displays have had on the women’s game in the country. She singles out Listowel and a few other areas in Ireland that have a lot of young girls playing the sport, despite not being parts of the country where rugby traditionally prospers.

But despite the increased exposure the women’s game has received in Ireland over the last few months, Briggs would still like her squad to have a little more resources.

“People always ask me would I like to go professional,” Briggs said.

Briggs commends the efforts made by the IRFU to grow the game in the aftermath of the World Cup, and thinks it is important to for young girls to have female sporting role models to inspire them to get involved.

“It is great for girls to have role models,” Briggs said.

Niamh Briggs is a Persil Kits for Schools ambassador and recently visited her old primary school, Scoil Mhuire, as part of the campaign. Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

The best way for women’s rugby to attract new players is to keep winning and the victory over England is as big as they come. The World Cup-winners have lost their coach and some key players since the triumph but a victory over the Red Rose is still a major scalp.

However, Briggs focused more on the implications the victory had for the team’s championship chances. A 10-5 loss in Ashbourne to France in round two was a big blow for Tom Tierney’s side, and put a lot of pressure on the squad ahead of the England game.

“We have had a lot of memorable wins over the last few years and really, this was just another game for us,” Briggs said.

Briggs always seems to play a key part in Ireland’s big wins and last Friday was no different, as she kicked the winning score late in the game.

She didn’t seem too fussed about the match-winning kick though.

“It’s just part of the job really,” Briggs said.

“A scrum-half needs to organise the forwards and a hooker needs to throw into the lineout.”

Briggs works hard to combine her work as a guard with her rugby career. A typical day can be a gym session, followed by a 9-5 shift and then a pitch session but the fullback says she doesn’t get run-down despite the hectic schedule.

She has never had to put her defensive skills to use on the streets of Limerick to tackle a criminal either.

“I haven’t had to do that, I believe in the power of verbal persuasion,” Briggs laughed.

“I talk myself into a few situations but I probably talk myself out of more.”

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A LOT OF us have experienced crushing sporting disappointments in our life, and the feeling of devastation is even more acute if you are a youngster when it happens.

There are tears, there are tantrums and you desperately need something to take your mind off it.

An 11-year-old Australian boy was inconsolable after being dropped from his school cricket team but luckily for him, he ran into two Wallabies who just happened to be complete gents.

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Ring of Honor has announced that The Hurricane was added to an ROH Honor Reigns Supreme event in Concord, North Carolina on January 13. You can see the press release below:
Pro wrestling’s superhero Shane “Hurricane” Helms is headed to Concord, N.C., on Sunday, Jan. 13 for Honor Reigns Supreme, which will stream live worldwide on HonorClub.
Helms, a longtime fan favorite and North Carolina native who has wrestled all over the world, made his ROH debut this past June and almost immediately became embroiled in a feud with “The Villain” Marty Scurll. The natural enemies traded victories before Scurll finally prevailed in a hard-fought, critically acclaimed no-disqualification match that aired on a recent episode of “Ring of Honor Wrestling,” and is currently streaming on-demand in its uncensored version for HonorClub.
With the issue between Helms and Scurll settled, the masked man has signed an open contact for Honor Reigns Supreme. His opponent has yet to be determined.
Regardless of who Helms faces, evil-doer in question would take heed to stand back when Helms comes through Concord to perform for his citizens. Join us live to witness it firsthand! Get your tickets now!
ROH HONOR REIGNS SUPREME
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019
MEET & GREETS @ 5PM ET
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1966 – Gene Kiniski defeats Lou Thesz, to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.  Thesz’s title reign ends at 1,079 days.
1971 – Pedro Morales defeats Freddie Blassie, to win the vacant WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship.
1979 – The Spoiler wins a battle royal, to become the inaugural WCCW Television Champion.
1985 – Billy Jack Haynes defeats Gino Hernandez, to win the WCCW Television Championship. Hernandez subbed for incumbent titleholder Chris Adams, who was absent for the event.
1995 – In Smoky Mountain Wrestling, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) defeat The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa Saed), to win the SMW Tag Team Championship for the 10th time.
1999 – Jun Akiyama & Kenta Kobashi defeat The Holy Demon Army (Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue), to win the AJPW World Tag Team Championship.
2001 – ECW Guilty As Charged is held at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom in front of 2,500 fans. This is the final pay-per-view produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling, before filing for bankruptcy a few months later.  In a 3-Way Tables, Ladders, Chairs, & Canes Match, The Sandman defeats Steve Corino and Justin Credible, to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.  After the match, The Sandman is attacked by Rhino, who challenges Sandman for his newly won title.  Sandman accepts, but Rhino beats him in one minute, to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
2002 – In a Hardcore Tag Team Match on RAW, Spike Dudley & Tazz defeat The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & Devon) to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.  Also, Triple H makes his return to the WWF after missing almost eight months with a torn quad.
2004 – On TNA’s weekly pay-per-view, Chris Sabin defeats Michael Shane, Low Ki, and Christopher Daniels, to win the TNA X Division Championship.
2006 – In Ohio Valley Wrestling, Aaron Stevens defeats CM Punk and Brent Albright, in a Three-Way Match, to win the OVW Television Championship.
2007 – The third and final WWE-produced New Year’s Revolution pay-per-view is held in Kansas City, in front of 10,000 fans.  Jeff Hardy retains the Intercontinental Championship, after defeating Johnny Nitro in a Steel Cage Match.  Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) win a Tag Team Turmoil Match, to become #1 contenders for the World Tag Team Championship.  In the main event, John Cena defeats Umaga, to retain the WWE Championship.
2007 – At Day 1 of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s First Navigation ’07, The Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark) defeat Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Takashi Sugiura, to win the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.
2015 – Impact Wrestling makes it’s debut on Destination America, after spending over nine years on Spike TV.  This evening’s episode airs live from New York City’s Manhattan Center, with two titles changing hands.   Austin Aries defeats Low Ki, to win the TNA X Division Championship for the 6th time.  In the main event, Lashley defeats Bobby Roode, to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the 2nd time.
2015 – In Lucha Underground, Prince Puma becomes the inaugural Lucha Underground Champion after winning a 20-Man Elimination “Aztec Warfare” Match.  Puma last eliminates Johnny Mundo to win the match and the championship.
2016 – WWE SmackDown begins airing on USA Network, after airing on Syfy since October 2010.  This evening’s episode is the WWE debut for lead commentator Mauro Ranallo.
2017 – Hajime Ohara defeats Taiji Ishimori, to win the vacant GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:  Impact Wrestling’s Alisha Edwards (32 years old, pictured at top); WWE Cruiserweight ‘Gentleman’ Jack Gallagher (29 years old);  and former ECW wrestler C.W. Anderson (48 years old).
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