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Tallaght Stadium in all its glory before tonight's big game between Dundalk and AZ Alkmaar.

• Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose and Iain Henderson have been included in Ireland’s starting XV for Saturday’s rugby Test against Australia.
• The Irish-owned Cage Warriors looks set to return next year which would be the first show on these shores by the promotion since 2014.
• Fit-again Niamh Briggs will skipper Ireland’s Women from fullback when they take on New Zealand this Sunday.
• Mick McCarthy has stepped up his interest in Daryl Horgan as Ipswich Town have confirmed the former Ireland boss is in Dublin tonight to see the Dundalk winger in the flesh.
• Australia coach Michael Cheika has made seven changes to his Wallabies starting XV for the Aviva Stadium showdown in two days’ time.
• South Africa international Marnitz Boshoff looks set to make his Connacht debut against the Cardiff Blues after Pat Lam named the out-half on the bench for tomorrow night.
• The Down GAA community is in mourning following the passing of three-time All-Ireland winner Joe Lennon.
• Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has included Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath and James Tracy in his match-day 23 for their clash against Scarlets.
• Ireland have moved up 10 places in the Fifa world rankings to 23rd, their highest position since 2012, on the back of their 1-0 win against Austria in Vienna.
• Ulster have named Luke Marshall at inside centre in a strong backline for tomorrow night’s clash against Zebre in Belfast.

Away

Aleksandr Kerzhakov of Zenit St Petersburg celebrates his goal against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dmitri Lovetsky Dmitri Lovetsky

• Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from football and Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has opened the door for the 36-year-old to return to Anfield in a coaching role.
• Gerrard’s former LA Galaxy team-mate Robbie Keane is attracting interest from Australia’s A-League, with Western Sydney Wanderers believed to be keen on signing the Dubliner.
• Gareth Bale has emerged as an injury doubt for Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Ireland in March as he is due to undergo ankle surgery next week.
• Zenit St Petersburg have delivered the result Dundalk wanted as the Russian side overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 in the Europa League this evening.
• Udinese have ordered club captain Danilo to apologise for his rampage in a training session that left three of his team-mates requiring medical attention.
• American reporter William Finnegan has won the prestigious William Hill Sportsbook of the Year award for 2016 with his surfing memoir ‘Barbarian Days’.
• Cameroon football hero Samuel Eto’o could be facing 10 years in jail and a fine of more than €14m over allegations of tax fraud.
• New Zealand have dropped scrum-half Aaron Smith to the bench for their Test match against France on Saturday.

The Best Thing We Shared

Ireland team-mates Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell had a crack at the European Tour’s version of ‘Mr and Mrs’.

 On The Record

I should’ve wore my high heels! I was looking up. But [seriously] this is the start of something very special for me… I’ve always wanted to bring women’s boxing to new levels so this is the start of it.

Katie Taylor was in good from at the weigh-in for her professional debut against Poland’s Karina Kopinska on Saturday night.

Where We Were Today

Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell were at Carton House for Joe Schmidt’s team announcement.

Finlay Bealham, Sean Cronin and Cian Healy line up against Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best and Jack McGrath. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Paul Fennessy was at the UEFA Euro 2020 Dublin City brand launch.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross TD, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and CEO FAI John Delaney. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Ryan Bailey was at Australia’s training session and press conference at the RDS.

Australia back rower David Pocock gets stuck in at training. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Sinead Farrell was at the press briefing for the Ireland Women’s rugby team ahead of their match against New Zealand.

Ireland women's rugby player Claire McLaughlin. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The Fixture List

•  The Guinness Pro12 is back tomorrow night and three Irish sides are in action — Connacht v Cardiff (19.35, TG4), Ulster v Zebre (19.35, BBC Sport NI) and Scarlets v Leinster (19.35, BBC Sport Wales).
• In the English football Championship, Barnsley host Nottingham Forest from 7.45pm (SS1).
• In the English rugby Premiership, Northampton take on Newcastle from 19.45 (BT Sport 1).
• In motorsport, the first two practice sessions for the Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi get under way from 9am (SSF1).
• Thanksgiving NFL continues in the early hours tomorrow with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Indianapolis Colts from 1am (SS1).
• There’s also an option for basketball fans seeking an NBA fix, Boston Celtics v San Antonio Spurs is live on BT Sport 2 from 6pm.

Showbiz, Baby!

Another tough day at the office for ‘The Notorious’ spent hanging out with his good friend Bill.

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