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Tommy O'Donnell returns for Munster. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

• Fiji head coach John McKee has emerged as a serious contender to take over from Pat Lam at Connacht.
• Ex-Ireland international Stephen Elliot has signed for Drogheda ahead of the 2017 League of Ireland campaign.
• Out-half Jack Carty is fit to start Connacht’s make-or-break European showdown in Tolouse. 
• Les Kiss has announced his Ulster starting XV ahead of their Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux tomorrow.
• Tommy O’Donnell is set to make a return tomorrow as Munster target a win over Racing 92 and a home quarter-final.
• Paul Dunne continued his impressive form on the second day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, as he sits two shots off the lead.

Away

Ryan Manning signs a new deal with QPR. QPR Facebook QPR Facebook

• Liverpool legend Steven Gerard will return to coach at their academy next month.
• Galway youngster Ryan Manning has signed a new contract with QPR.
• Defending champions England have named three uncapped players in their 34-man squad ahead of the opening round of the 2017 Six Nations.
• West Brom have signed mifielder Jake Livermore from Hull City for a reported £10million (€11.5 million) fee.
• World number one Andy Murray continued his winning form and booked his spot in the last 16 of the Australian Open as he powered past Sam Querrey.
• A 40-year-old British man has died while working on a Qatar 2022 World Cup stadium site, tournament organisers in the Gulf emirate have announced.
• English Premiership club Sale have sacked winger Tom Arscott after an alleged leak of team information to his brother.

The Best Thing We Shared

The European Tour’s awkward reporter met some of the world’s best golfers. This will make your Friday.

On The Record

The FA revealed details of a sideline incident between ex-Ireland international John Sheridan and referee Eddie Ilderton

You’re a f**king disgrace, you’re f**king useless, you’ve not f**king got anything right today, you should be f**king ashamed, you’re f**king shit, My kids aren’t going to get any f**king Christmas presents because of f**king you,” Sheridan told Ilderton.

Where We Were Today

Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Murray Kinsella is in Castres for Leinster’s Champions Cup clash, while Paul Fennessy was at a judging event for the FAI awards.

The Fixture List

There’s plenty of rugby over the weekend, with both Ulster and Munster in Champions Cup action tomorrow, while Connacht are set to decide their European fate on Sunday.

• Ulster v Bordeaux (Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 1pm)
• Munster v Racing 92 (Thomand Park, Saturday 5.30pm)
• Tolouse v Connacht (Stade Ernest Wallon, Sunday 5.15pm)

The Premier League is also offering some tasty affairs, including Liverpool and Swansea, Stoke and Manchester United, and Manchester City and Spurs all on Saturday, while Sunday sees Arsenal take on Burnley, and Chelsea face Hull, among others.

Meanwhile, Sunday also brings an interesting offering in Italy between Juventus and Lazio, and the NFL Conference Finals.

Showbiz, Baby!

Sevilla head coach Jorge Sampaoli had a nice bit of praise for Lionel Messi.

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