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• Johnny Sexton was announced as one of five nominees for the IRB World Player of the Year award.
• FIFA released their shortlist for their goal of the year competition and Peamount United’s Stephanie Roche is one of ten players in with a chance of winning.
• Martin O’Neill said that although James McCarthy’s health is improving, he might not be fit for Friday’s game against Scotland.
• Richie Sadier is on the ‘A’ panel for the Scotland game, with John Giles being temporarily relegated to the bench.
• GAA Director General Páraic Duffy has warned players to be careful with how they use social media.

Away

Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

• The South African half-backs have paid the price for a poor performance against Ireland as both have been dropped ahead of the Springboks’ visit to Twickenham.
• Warren Gatland thinks Rhys Priestland can give the metaphorical ‘two fingers’ to the Welsh crowd after they booed him last weekend.
• TV presenter Charlie Webster resigned as a Sheffield United patron after the club allowed Ched Evans to train with them.
• In what is terrible PR for the NFL, NBA superstar Lebron James said he won’t let his children play American football because of the game’s violence.

The best thing we shared today

There was a lot of angry Irish fans after Sky Sports tweeted this out earlier.

On the record

“There’s some very Cockney accents in the Scottish squad but I wouldn’t question them. If you want to play for Scotland why shouldn’t you play for Scotland?”

Paul McGrath responded earlier to Gordon McQueen’s comments about the reception Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy might receive this Friday.

Where we were today

Our hatless deputy editor Niall Kelly was in Malahide for Ireland’s training session.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The fixture list

• Uruguay play Costa Rica and will want revenge after being upset at the World Cup.

Showbiz, baby!

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