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Brian O'Driscoll was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame tonight. World Rugby Pool Images / INPHO World Rugby Pool Images / INPHO / INPHO

• Joe Schmidt has picked Sean O’Brien at openside flanker in his side to face New Zealand, the sole change from the starting XV that won in Chicago.
• Neil Seery insists he won’t be reversing his decision to retire after his bout on Saturday night against Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night in Belfast.
• Laois hurler Willie Hyland has announced his retirement from the inter-county game due to persistent hip injuries.
• Gary Hurley and Michael Hoey have missed out on Tour cards at Q-School in Girona, Spain after they failed to make the top 25 plus ties.
• Rory McIlroy‘s defence at the DP World Tour Championship got off to an awful start as he carded a 75 in Dubai today.
• Despite being the promotion’s first simultaneous two-weight champion, Conor McGregor is still behind Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
• Liam Mellows have put forward a proposal for Galway‘s hurlers to move to the Munster championship.
• New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has made five changes in personnel for Saturday’s Test against Ireland.
• Cork GAA chiefs have indicated that selling the naming rights for the redeveloped Páirc Uí Chaoimh would help make up the shortfall between funding and the final cost of the project.

Away

Novak Djokovic in action against David Goffin today. Jonathan Brady Jonathan Brady

• The English Premier League is reportedly running secret trials as it considers introducing video referees to the game.
• Supermodel Kate Upton vented her fury after fiance Justin Verlander was overlooked for baseball‘s top pitching award.
• Gary Neville insists Wayne Rooney’s career is not finished despite growing criticism of his former Manchester United team-mate.

The Best Thing We Shared

“Ruby’s team have two points, Shane’s team are on 12 points.”

It’s only a bit of fun — but the look on Michael Conlan’s face when he thought he’d been robbed by dodgy scoring again is magnificent.

On The Record

I didn’t make players pick me for Footballer of the Year. I didn’t pay them fifties to vote for me. That’s up to other people to criticise. I can’t do anything about it. I got recognised by my peers. The system is there. They picked me.

Lee Keegan makes his feelings known about those questioning the decision to award him the Footballer of the Year award.

Where We Were Today

Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell were at Carton House for the announcement of the Ireland rugby team to face New Zealand on Saturday.

Jamie Heaslip takes Jared Payne out of his comfort zone. Oisin Keniry / INPHO Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO

Sinead Farrell was at a media event for the Ireland women’s rugby team ahead of their Test match against Canada.

Ireland's Nicole Fowley. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The Fixture List

• In tennis, the ATP World Tour Finals continue in London.
• The second round of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship takes place tomorrow with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington in action. On the PGA Tour, Seamus Power will be teeing it up in the second round of the RSM Classic.
• Brighton and Hove Albion take on Aston Villa in England’s Championship tomorrow night from 7.45pm.

Showbiz, Baby!

Dan Carter + Ronan O’Gara in a game of rugby golf = great viewing.

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Lack of midfield cover, loyalty to halfbacks and huge confidence in Scott Barrett

‘We are thinking of him’: Jonah Lomu in All Blacks’ thoughts a year on from his death