ONCE EVERY SO often, the sporting gods treat us to a day that deserves your undivided attention.
Ireland begin the defence of their Six Nations title away to Italy at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico this afternoon before France play Scotland in Paris.
On a day of derbies, Spurs and Arsenal then kick-off the Premier League games at lunchtime, followed closely by five more at 3pm. All eyes then turn to Goodison Park, where Everton host Liverpool in Steve Gerrard’s last Merseyside derby.
In Spain, Fernando Torres will be aiming to continue his bright start to a second spell at Atletico Madrid when they welcome European champions Real Madrid to the Vicente Calderon.
There’s also live GAA to sink your teeth into with two All-Ireland senior club hurling semi-finals. Then it’s over to the Allianz Football League, where Dublin take on Donegal at Croke Park and Meath face Kildare in Navan.
So do yourself a favour — make a few calls, cancel whatever you had got planned and put the feet up.
12.45 – Premier League: North London derby
Tottenham v Arsenal (BT Sport 1 from 12.00).
14.00 - AIB All-Ireland senior club hurling semi-final
Kilmallock (Limerick) v Portaferry (Down), Cusack Park, Mullingar (TG4 from 13.30).
14.30 – Six Nations
Italy v Ireland (RTE 2 from 13.30).
15.00 – La Liga, Madrid derby
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (delayed coverage on Sky Sports 4 from 17.10).
15.00 – 5 x Premier League games
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Leicester City v Crystal Palace (Setanta Sports 1 from 14.30)
Manchester City v Hull
QPR v Southampton
Swansea v Sunderland
15. 45 - AIB All-Ireland senior club hurling semi-final
Gort (Galway) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), O’Connor Park, Tullamore (TG4 from 13.30).
17.00 – Six Nations
France v Scotland (RTE 2 from 13.30).
17.30 – Premier League, Merseyside derby
Everton v Liverpool (Sky Sports 1 from 16.45).
Gerrard bids farwell to Goodison Park today. Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images19.00 - Allianz Football League Division 1
Dublin v Donegal, Croke Park, 7pm (Setanta 1 from 18.15).
19.00 Allianz Football League Division 2
Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 7pm (Setanta Ireland from 18.45).
19.45 - Serie A
Juventus v AC Milan (BT Sport 1 from 19.30).
Great read.