Jamie Heaslip stretches during Leinster's training session at the Aviva Stadium. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

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• Cian Healy has been handed a two-week ban following an incident involving Toulon’s Guilhem Guirado.
• But Leinster have confirmed their intention to appeal the decision.
• The countdown to Andy Lee‘s WBO title fight continued in Manchester.
• Leo Cullen insists he doesn’t feel under any additional pressure despite his team’s poor run of results.
• Anthony Foley is set to sign a new one-year contract extension as Munster head coach.

Is this Jose? Nobody knows and, quite frankly, who cares? Steve Parsons Steve Parsons

Away

• Chelsea have sacked manager Jose Mourinho just seven months after he guided the club to the Premier League title.
• Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as Barcelona eased into the final of the Fifa Club World Cup with victory over Guangzhou Evergrande.
• Franck Ribery has suffered an injury setback and could be sidelined until February.
• Australia captain Stephen Moore will leave the Brumbies and re-join his former club the Queensland Reds for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The Best Thing We Shared

The42 The42

With the new Star Wars movie hitting cinemas, we came up with eight of our favourite Star Wars sports people.

On The Record

“I suppose there’s an element of guilt there in that I was made captain. I was put in a leadership position, and especially because it was Leo’s first year as a head coach and he’s a good friend of mine, I wanted to do everything I could to support him.”

Kevin McLaughlin on life after rugby and the guilt he felt from walking away from Leinster.

Where We Were Today

Ryan Bailey was on campus as Leo Cullen held his pre-game press conference in UCD.

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The Fixture List

• In the SkyBet Championship, Birmingham face Cardiff City at St Andrews (7.45pm). 
• The Champions Cup continues with Northampton’s clash with Racing Metro kicking off the weekend.
• There are two Challenge Cup fixtures as Edinburgh host London Irish and Grenoble entertain Agen.

Showbiz, Baby!

Two backheels and bang! Reading‘s goal from last night’s defeat to Hull is well worth watching.
https://vine.co/v/imduJvmJua2

“I write better with my shoes off.”

Jose’s nine lives – the defeats which led to Mourinho’s downfall at Chelsea

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