1. #FAI Giovanni Trapattoni will again face the media today as Ireland continue their build-up to the crunch clash with Macedonia on Saturday.

We’ll be at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday by the way, running a liveblog of the action, on and off the pitch.

Yesterday, the Italian indicated that Scottish-born midfielder James McCarthy would play some part at Lansdowne Rd this weekend.

2. #GAA Cork’s Derek Kavanagh has confirmed that he is retiring from football because of a recurring hip injury.

3. #VIDEO NASTY England’s RFU has moved to distance itself from accusations of over-confidence after a Nike advert commissioned to celebrate the country’s Grand Slam victory was leaked on the internet.

4. #MAGNERS LEAGUE It’s back to reality however for Ireland’s international stars this week, however. Brian McLaughlin has brought his Irish contingent straight back into the squad ahead of Ulster’s Magners League game away to Glasgow on Friday.

Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace and Tom Court all return to the 36-man squad. Munster host a press briefing today – with Paul O’Connell front and centre – ahead of their clash with Cardiff at the weekend.

5. #COURTROOM DRAMA The Barry Bonds perjury case has begun in San Francisco. Here’s everything you need to know to keep up.

6. #LOOKING BACK In the first of our new retrospective feature series, Niall Kelly reflects on Michael Jordan’s return to the Bulls, 16 years ago this week.