Ireland fans Brendan Guinan, Alan Ryan, Declan Doogan, Paul Hensey and James Hibbitts have arrived in Cardiff ahead of tomorrow night's Six Nations game. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Home

• The roof will be closed for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and Wales at the Principality Stadium.
• Ireland U20 head coach Nigel Carolan has reshuffled his back-line to allow Jack Kelly take up a centre slot alongside Ciaran Frawley for Saturday’s meeting with Wales.
• Ireland have moved up a place in the latest Fifa rankings.
• Aiden McGeady’s excellent form for Preston has been recognised with a Championship player of the month nomination.
• Bohemians have confirmed that Dylan Hayes has returned to the club ahead of tomorrow night’s Premier Division clash with Bray Wanderers.
• The Gaelic Players Association today announced the appointment of David Collins as its new president.

Paddy Barnes and Adrian Dimas Garzon at the weigh-in for their bout tomorrow night in Belfast. Presseye / Jonathan Porter/INPHO Presseye / Jonathan Porter/INPHO / Jonathan Porter/INPHO

Away

• Liverpool and Real Madrid legend Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will retire from football in the summer.
• Los Angeles Galaxy have made a bid to lure Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Major League Soccer in a record deal, according to Sports Illustrated.
• Arsene Wenger says he will take into consideration the views of angry Arsenal supporters when he decides whether to remain at the club beyond the end of this season.
• England coach Eddie Jones has named Billy Vunipola on the bench for their Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland in Twickenham on Saturday.
• France head coach Guy Noves will hand out two international debuts for their game away to Italy.
• Australian utility back Kurtley Beale has decided not to extend his contract with Wasps beyond this season and will instead turn his attention to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The Best Thing We Shared

Peter O’Mahony went to great lengths to ensure that the roof on the Principality Stadium will be closed tomorrow night.

Where We Were Today

Steve O’Rourke was chatting to Wexford hurler Lee Chin in Dublin, while Murray Kinsella arrived in Cardiff ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales tomorrow night.

Ireland captain Rory Best speaking to the press this afternoon at the Principality Stadium. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

On The Record

It’s been brilliant. Robbie’s been in working individually with (physio) Tony McCarthy and then he has dropped in and out of our sessions. He’s taken the strikers for finishing sessions too and to have someone like Robbie telling an 18-year-old about movement or how to finish is frightening. It’s been unbelievable for us as a coaching staff. When you look at his record at international level I don’t think it will be truly recognised for what it is for years to come. It’s scary.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley on Robbie Keane, who has been training with the Hoops this week.

The Fixture List

• The eyes of Irish rugby fans will be on Cardiff tomorrow night for Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales at the Principality Stadium (8.05pm).
• There’s a busy night tomorrow in the League of Ireland too, with nine games across both divisions. Click here to view the Premier Division fixtures, and here to see what’s scheduled in the First Division.

Showbiz, baby!

This new video released today by Shamrock Rovers is a brilliant advertisement for the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland.

The key Cork, Dublin, Mayo, Galway and Clare players to watch in colleges action this weekend

Excitement building around Wexford as Davy Fitz’s renaissance job gathers momentum