We’ll Leave It There So: Paddy Jackson left out of Ireland squad, rankings boost and today's sport

There was also plenty of Fitzgibbon Cup action and a number of line-ups were confirmed for the opening weekend of Six Nations matches.

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Samuel O'Dowd scores a try Presentation College Bray's Samuel O'Dowd touches down against Gonzaga College in their Leinster Junior Cup first-round match. Pres Bray prevailed 13-8 in a thrilling Donnybrook encounter. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Joe Schmidt has released Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson from the Ireland squad so that the 24-year-old can play in his province’s Pro12 clash against the Dragons tomorrow night.
Ireland women’s rugby coach Tom Tierney has named three uncapped players in his squad for Saturday’s Six Nations game against Wales.
Martin O’Neill’s Ireland team have moved into the world’s top 30 teams in Fifa’s latest rankings.
Two goals in two minutes from John Fox helped NUI Galway as they put DIT to the sword in their Fitzgibbon Cup clash.
Tipp star John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer received a straight red card for striking but CIT rallied to claim a four-point win against UUJ in the Fitzgibbon Cup.
Ireland U20 centre Sammy Arnold has moved to Munster because he couldn’t cement his spot in Ulster’s starting XV.
Diarmaid Byrnes was the star for Davy Fitzgerald’s LIT as they edged a one-point win against UCD in the Fitzgibbon Cup.
Goals were key for UL as they ran out 5-15 to 3-14 winners against Mary Immaculate College in their all-Limerick Fitzgibbon Cup clash.
PBC Cork made light work of Bandon GS as they cruised to a 39-10 victory when the sides met at Musgrave Park this afternoon.
Irish locks Ian Nagle and Jerry Sexton have joined London Irish on short-term deals until the end of the season.

Away

Mideast Emirates Golf Rory McIlroy in action in Dubai. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Liverpool fans are planning a walkout at Anfield after 77 minutes of play this weekend in protest over plans to increase ticket prices.
A middleweight title rematch between Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman has been scheduled for UFC 199 in June.
Vern Cotter has named 13 starters from Scotland’s agonising World Cup quarter-final defeat to Australia in his team to face England on Saturday.
Rory McIlroy bounced back from a shaky start in the UAE to post a four-under-par 68 in the Dubai Desert Classic.
England winger Chris Ashton will serve all 10 weeks of his ban for his hand making contact with the eye area of Ulster’s Luke Marshall after his appeal was denied.
Eddie Jones has named three uncapped players on his bench and James Haskell at openside flanker for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
New France coach Guy Novès has named four debutants, including sevens flyer Virimi Vakatawa, in his starting team to take on Italy.

The best thing we shared

We’ve got two tickets to give away for this Sunday’s Six Nations Championship clash between Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium.

All you have to do is check out our Snapchat (username: The42.ie) and spot the ball. The winner will be announced tomorrow.

Where we were today

Paul Fennessy was at the Irish Sailing Awards at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin this afternoon, where he caught up with Irish Olympian Annalise Murphy. An interview with one of Irish sailing’s biggest stars will feature on The42 this weekend.

Liam Shanahan, centre, was named the 2015 Irish Sailor of the Year, and was presented with his award from John Treacy, Sport Ireland CEO, and Irish Sailing Association president David Lovegrove. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

On The Record

Okay, I knew I was after getting a bang on head – I was feeling blurred, dizzy. But it’s very hard to say, ‘Yes, you are clinically concussed.’ If it’s blatantly obvious, there is a fair old chance you have it. — Limerick and Na Piarsaigh star Kevin Downes on concussion in the GAA

Fixture List

Ulster take on Newport Gwent Dragons in the Guinness Pro12 in Belfast tomorrow night, kick-off is 7.35pm.
Ireland’s U20s begin their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Donnybrook tomorrow night (7.35pm kick-off).

Showbiz, baby!

NBA / YouTube

Steph Curry’s 51 points for Golden State saw him threaten the NBA’s record for three-pointers in one game. Another triple-double for the league’s MVP and this one-game highlights reel was quite impressive, even for him.

Billo