WORLD CUP DIARY: Johnny Sexton was as combative off the field as he is on it on Monday, questioning the media coverage of Ireland's World Cup.

Johnny Sexton has predicted that New Zealand will be cleaner in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland following a bruising encounter in Dublin three years ago.

RORY KEANE IN TOKYO: Ireland have a shot at history here on Saturday, with the All Blacks standing in the way of a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for Rugby World Cup 2019 including knockout stage fixtures, channel and results in Japan.

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'.

RORY KEANE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend jumped to the defence of skipper Stuart Hogg for the incredible blunder which cost the visitors dear in Dublin.

RORY KEANE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: Johnny Sexton says Ireland are trying to draw a line under the hellish events of last year and Saturday was a good start as Andy Farrell's side won.

WILL KELLEHER AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: Johnny Sexton cannot wait to exact revenge on England after two recent thrashings when unbeaten Ireland travel to Twickenham next.

The Irish travel to Twickenham seeking to clinch a second Triple Crown in three years after beginning this year's tournament with successive home wins over Scotland and Wales.

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.

During the Joe Schmidt era, Ireland were renowned for peppering the backfield with high balls from Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray but Eddie Jones insists that England can cope with it.

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.

NIK SIMON'S FORM GUIDE: England have had an up and down Six Nations campaign so far, with one win and one loss, while Ireland are still undefeated at this stage.

MIKE BROWN: You always know when it's an Ireland Test week because the coaches put a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Johnny Sexton in the team dining room.

England earned a crucial Six Nations victory over a disappointing Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday.   

CHRIS FOY AT TWICKENHAM: Eddie Jones had all his selection decisions vindicated at Twickenham as England delivered another statement victory over Ireland.

England dominated from start to finish as they took a 24-12 victory over Ireland. Influential fly-half Johnny Sexton struggled to get into the game as England's defence barely gave him room to breathe.

England wore down Ireland with their physical approach on Sunday but it wasn't just the visitors who left Twickenham with some bruises to show for it.

The deadly epidemic has swept through northern parts of Italy and there have been calls to prevent the disease reaching the shores of Ireland with the game set to take place on March 7.

More than two dozen people, including the trainer of champion Maximum Security, have been charged in a widespread international scheme to drug horses to make them race faster.

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.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY MIKE DICKSON: The BBC's voice of racing is in the final furlong of his career with the corporation, and admits it will hurt when he crosses the finish line.

It worked with Politologue in Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase and Paul Nicholls is hoping that saving Clan Des Obeaux for one big shot will pay off in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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.

Taking a serious view on the ante-post Classic markets is often a perilous enough exercise as it is without the current uncertainty on whether racing may or may not resume in the short term.

France Galop president consulted with members of the French Government with the parties giving themselves 48 hours to come up with agreement on how racing will deal with impact of coronavirus.

SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) runs the rule over half a dozen of the more interesting British-trained fillies which may possibly take their chance in the 1,000 Guineas.

Britain's No 1 tipster, SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) discusses half a dozen of the home contingent which could line up for the Derby that could be run some time during July.

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.

Races will be restricted to 12 runners to comply with social distancing rules in plans to race behind closed doors next month. 

A series of explosive emails from trainers calling for Nick Rust's resignation over the handling of the sport's response to the COVID-19 outbreak were published in a Sunday newspaper.

Powell was found to have engaged in conduct considered to be prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horse racing in Great Britain.

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

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.

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.

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.

The 27-year-old singer dropped another new song this week - Look at Her Now - and said she doesn't want to shy away from writing songs that are meaningful to her despite the famous fanfare.

She reportedly dated the fashion executive Samuel Krost from 2015 until it fizzled out months later. And Tuesday night, Selena Gomez reunited with her ex Samuel at La Esquina Mexican restaurant in NY.

She was seen enjoying a dinner with ex boyfriend Samuel Krost and friends at a restaurant on Tuesday night. And two days later, Selena Gomez stepped out geared in her ex beau's fashion label.

The 27-year-old pop star's new single Lose You to Love Me landed the No. 4 spot on first Billboard Hot 100 and it's currently topping Billboard's Streaming Songs chart

The 27-year-old singer teased her fans that 'something exciting' was on its way with a series of throwback images the day before.

The 27-year-old songstress revealed the new permanent marking on Instagram and later showed off the work while performing at the show dedicated to the best music of the year.

There is potential new music on the horizon for The Weeknd. The singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye took to his Instagram on Monday evening to tease new music.ASCAP reports .

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

Selena Gomez was ready to be protective when she gave her six-year-old sister Gracie Teefey a red carpet debut at the Frozen 2 premiere last month.

The 27-year-old 'Texican' pop star sported sweatpants and enjoyed snacks and card games at home with five gal pals including Raquelle Stevens, Ashley Cook, and Caroline Franklin.

The 27-year-old Wolves hitmaker made the bombshell disclosure during an interview with NPR on Sunday: 'I do feel I was a victim to certain abuse'.

Selena Gomez was nothing but smiles on set of her new music video on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old rocked a gold halter dress for the shoot.

Selena Gomez has insisted that having a boyfriend is 'nowhere near the top' of her priority list in light of the current global pandemic.

Selena Gomez was seen freaking out just a little when she was handed a toad in new behind-the-scenes footage of her music video for latest single, Boyfriend.