Ireland insist hooker Sean Cronin has lost no World Cup ground despite being dropped from the squad for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash with France in Dublin.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has admitted that his side have struggled to cope with the pressure after their stellar 2018.

Eddie Jones has heaped pressure on Wales ahead of Saturday's showdown against Ireland by claiming they are tired. Victory for the Irish would give England a shot at snatching the title.

The Principality Stadium roof will be left open for Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam game in Cardiff against Ireland, despite yellow wind warnings set for Saturday.

WILL KELLEHER'S SCRUM'S THE WORD: This week we have tales of Beards, beers, and Beirnes ahead of the biggest game of the weekend: Wales v Ireland, and plenty more besides.

If Ireland do not rain on Wales's parade, it is certain now that Storm Hannah will. With Gareth blowing through earlier in the week, it's Hannah's turn to wreak havoc.

Rory Best has tipped rookie lineout caller James Ryan to come of age for Ireland against the 'world's best lock' Alun Wyn Jones in Cardiff for their Six Nations clash.

The British and Irish Lions are in talks about staging a bumper international match against a top Test-playing nation at Twickenham ahead of the 2021 tour of South Africa.

England coach Eddie Jones emphatically ruled out coaching the British & Irish Lions in 2021, while taking a swipe at Wales counterpart Warren Gatland.

Leinster flanker Sean O'Brien is preparing for an emotional farewell after next week's Champions Cup final - having revealed that he would have stayed in Dublin for a quarter of the money.

The outgoing Wales coach was named head coach for the 2021 tour of South Africa on Friday, having already led the Lions to victory in Australia and a drawn series in New Zealand last time out.

Warren Gatland insisted that Rhys Patchell would travel to the World Cup on Wednesday despite suffering a worrying concussion in Wales' defeat to Ireland.

Fly-half Rhys Patchell will be assessed ahead of Wales' World Cup departure on Wednesday after he was concussed during their final warm-up game.

World Rugby bosses have hit back at claims 31-man World Cup squads threaten player welfare by insisting top coaches left their objections too late to have any effect for the 2019 tournament in Japan.

Over a long and distinguished career, Brian O'Driscoll became adept at dealing with everything and anything thrown his way.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has revealed World Rugby admitted there were three incorrect offside calls given against his side during their shock 19-12 World Cup Pool A defeat by Japan.

Tadhg Furlong has warned that to switch off even for a second against New Zealand will cost Ireland the chance of a maiden World Cup semi-final.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen lit the fuse on a potentially explosive week on Monday by vowing to lay false traps for Ireland's master tactician and head coach Joe Schmidt.

Caelan Doris has been backed to make a huge impact for Ireland on his Six Nations debut against Scotland on Saturday, with assistant coach Simon Easterby saying the No 8 is 'made for this level'.

Ireland are desperate to show green shoots of recovery after a harrowing World Cup under Joe Schmidt. Sportsmail analyses their threats, and what has changed under new coach Andy Farrell.

Brian O'Driscoll has accused Eddie Jones of 'scaremongering' and admitted he relished the sight of the England head coach's comments backfiring so spectacularly against France.

WILL KELLEHER IN DUBLIN: The 59-year-old Bono dropped into the Irish camp to give a rallying speech to Andy Farrell's team ahead of their Six Nations clash with England.

Conor Murray admits the father-son dynamic between the Farrells will be strange when Ireland face England on Sunday, but hopes his coach can provide crucial insights into his son's game.

Conor Murray admitted that the father-and-son dynamic between the Farrells will be strange when Ireland face England in the Six Nations.

There is an irony that 20 minutes after Barry Geraghty thought that his Champion Hurdle hopes might have been dashed on the final Saturday in November a bright new chance emerged.

Chosen Mate was victorious in the sixth of Friday's races at Cheltenham after seeing off Us and Them and Maracuja in a packed field to take home the Grand Annual Handicap Chase.

Reports suggesting that large public gatherings will soon be banned mean racing's position as the last major sport to still be operating normally looks close to ending.

Considering Hong Kong borders mainland China, from where Covid-19 emanated, it might sound surprising that jockey Neil Callan feels he is currently 'in the safest place in the world'. 

William Haggas' runner struck Group One gold under Tom Marquand in the Ranvet Stakes last month and he added another top-level success as he saw off Verry Elleegant in some style.

Leading rider Jamie Spencer is facing sometime out of the saddle following an accident on the Newmarket gallops on Friday. The 39-year-old Irishman was returning to the David Simcock stable.

The four-day Festival was staged as planned in front of 250,000 people, with additional hygiene measures in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, and concluded on March 13. 

SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) highlights half a dozen exciting three-year-old fillies who appear likely types to contest a race of that nature in what remains of this season.

Forward Lorenzo Insigne has withdrawn from Italy's squad with a muscular problem ahead of European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and Finland.

The midfielder, now playing for Boca Juniors, retired from international football back in November 2017 after Italy's shock defeat to Sweden, which denied them a place at the 2018 World Cup.

The 24-year-old, who signed on a free from PSG, is said to be already considering his future in Turin having so far acted as Blaise Matuidi's understudy and appearing on four times this season.

EXCLUSIVE BY SAMI MOKBEL: Rodwell will arrive in Rome with a view to completing a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Blaise Matuidi is reportedly set for a contract extension after playing an important role in a Juventus side which sits top of Serie A. The Frenchman has been with the club since August 2017.

Italy are meant to have lucrative a trip to Qatar in March that will include two friendly games as part of their preparations for the upcoming Euro 2020. But Roberto Mancini does not see this as tough enough.

Reports suggest that the players are to be fined between one quarter and one half of this month' wages by the club for refusing to stay in a training retreat earlier this month.

Tonali will be the subject of a tug of war between Inter and Juventus, Italian media say, with the two clubs engaged in a 'chess game' after the Turin side beat them to the signing of Dejan Kulusevski.

Italy is the worst affected country outside of China and the decision was made earlier in the week to suspend all sporting activity across the country until April 3.

Light looked stunning in a couture dress by Badgley Mischka when she arrived, at the Tony Awards in New York City, Sunday night. The 70-year-old star of Transparent shined in silver on the red carpet.

Driver is nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Play. He stars alongside Keri Russell in Burn This, the sexy drama about two strangers who are brought together over a mysterious death.

Selena Gomez was again feeling nostalgic as she took to Instagram to post another throwback photo of herself at about 2 years old. The singer, 27, poses with her hands placed at the side of her face.

Selena Gomez has re-followed Bella Hadid on Instagram, three months after the model split from The Weeknd for the second time. 

One PA blew Hadid's brunette bowl cut with leaf blower as another poured water on her from a silver pitcher. Her top hung off her shoulder, resulting in a nip slip, which she covered with a kiss emoji.

The sisters looked effortlessly stylish as they made their way home after taking part in a photoshoot on Tuesday.

Just weeks after revealing fans body shaming 'messed me up,' Selena Gomez looked confident and radiant on the American Music Awards red carpet.

This sighting comes just hours after ex-boyfriend The Weeknd released his breakup song Heartless which seems to be about the former equestrian.

The songbird, 27, was bundled up in head-to-toe black as she left her hotel in London. Selena braved the wintry weather in a double breasted black coat, ribbed jumpsuit, and Dr. Martens.