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Ireland v Japan – Preview, Teams, Where To Watch

The Ireland Women’s national team will play Japan in their second Autumn International and their final test of 2021 on Saturday at the RDS Arena.

In their first Autumn International, which was the first women’s national game to be held at the RDS, Ireland recorded a 10-point victory over the United States of America.

It was their first match since they missed out on qualification to next year’s World Cup in Parma earlier this year.

The game has more significance than that for Ireland though, as it will be captain Ciara Griffin and Head Coach Adam Griggs’ last game with the girls in green.

Griffin, who has captained Ireland since 2018, will win her 41st cap for the national side on Saturday afternoon.

She has appeared in 40 of their 42 matches since making her debut against Wales in the 2016 Six Nations.

The 27-year-old has been a huge presence for Ireland in the back row since making her debut five years ago and will hang up her boots after five impressive years in green.

Griggs was appointed as the manager of the national side ahead of the 2018 Six Nations and gave Griffin the armband.

Former Ireland Women’s assistant coach Greg McWilliams will replace him after the side wrap up their 2021 fixtures.

Munster’s Aoife Doyle returns to the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany and Laura Sheehan, who are retained from last Friday’s win over the USA in Dublin.

Eimear Considine and Sene Naoupu continue their midfield partnership, but there is a new-look half-back pairing for Ireland with Kathryn Dane starting at scrum-half and Enya Breen in the pivotal out-half position.

In the pack, Laura Feely, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are named in the front row, with the experienced Aoife McDermott returning to the second row alongside Sam Monaghan.

Griffin starts at blindside flanker for her 41st and final Ireland cap, with Edel McMahon continuing at openside and Hannah O’Connor back in the starting team at number eight following injury.

Leinster duo Mary Healy and Ella Roberts and Connacht back Shannon Touhey are all included in an Ireland matchday squad for the first time, with the trio among the seven replacements.

Teams

Ireland

15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(17)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster)(6)
13. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster)(22)
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(45)
11. Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(5)
10. Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster)(8)
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(17)

1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(22)
2. Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(5)
3. Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)(16)
4. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)(17)
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(4)
6. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)(Captain)(40)
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(13)
8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6).

Replacements:

16. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(30)
17. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster)(4)
18. Mary Healy (Naas/Suttonians/Leinster)*
19. Anna Caplice (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(15)
20. Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster)(1)
21. Alisa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)(13)
22. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/Connacht)*
23. Ella Roberts (Wicklow/Leinster)*

Japan
1 Sachiko KATO Exeter Chiefs Women/
YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars		 164 78 2000/02/19 8
2 Nijiho NAGATA International Budo Univ. 163 77 2000/12/06 2
3 Makoto LAVEMAI YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars 164 67 1997/07/02 10
4 Kie TAMAI MIE WOMEN’S RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB PEARLS 168 76 1992/10/24 6
5 Otoka YOSHIMURA ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA/
Rissho Univ.		 175 83 2001/05/15 －
6 Seina SAITO MIE WOMEN’S RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB PEARLS 164 67 1992/05/30 25
7 Misaki SUZUKI Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 164 66 1992/04/09 24
8 Ayano NAGAI YOKOHAMA TKM 169 86 1997/10/14 4
9 Moe TSUKUI YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars /
Aoyama Gakuin Univ.		 153 53 2000/03/28 15
10 Ayasa OTSUKA RKU GRACE 163 60 1999/05/05 3
11 Komachi IMAKUGI ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA/Rissho Univ. 158 60 2002/01/06 3
12 Kanako KOBAYASHI Exeter Chiefs Women/
YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars		 162 70 1998/11/13 4
13 Mana FURUTA Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 167 68 1997/11/16 8
14 Hinano NAGURA YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars 170 71 1997/03/22 4
15 Ria ANOKU MIE WOMEN’S RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB PEARLS 160 57 1996/10/02 3
16 Hinata KOMAKI Nippon Sport Science Univ. 166 75 2001/05/09 1
17 Ayumu KOKAJI Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 160 80 2000/11/24 5
18 Wako KITANO RKU GRACE 166 79 1999/09/08 3
19 Saki MINAMI YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars 163 72 1995/11/18 18
20 Iroha NAGATA ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA 167 70 1998/12/21 9
21 Yuki ITO MIE WOMEN’S RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB PEARLS 163 64 1996/10/24 7
22 Megumi ABE ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA 147 53 1998/04/28 4
23 Minori YAMAMOTO MIE WOMEN’S RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB PEARLS/
Worcester Warriors Women		 168 72 1996/12/09 16

 

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 3 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

All Blacks named to face France in final test of the year

The All Blacks team has been named to play France for the Dave Gallaher Trophy in the final Test of their Tudor Northern Tour at Stade de France, Paris, on Saturday 20 November.

Dane Coles will start at hooker in his 80th test, with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming onto the bench alongside George Bower and Ofa Tuungafasi.

Akira Ioane starts at six and Sam Cane at seven with Shannon Frizell coming onto the bench as loose forward cover.

In the backs, Aaron Smith starts at halfback, with Richie Mo’unga at ten while  Quinn Tupaea comes in at 12 to pair up with Rieko Ioane in the midfield, and George Bridge comes in on the left-wing.

Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie come onto the bench, joining David Havili as the back reserves.

All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We’re really excited about this match, it’s a big statement game for us, and we know we have to respond from the Irish performance.

“It’s been an incredibly long tour but I’ve been delighted with how the players have handled it from a physical point of view.  They’ve given us everything and I couldn’t be more proud of the way they have handled the length of this tour.

“But we’ve had to manage the physical and mental load for the players, so have changed things up a bit for this final Test to maximise the energy within the whole group. That’s not a reflection on the guys that haven’t been selected, it’s more a chance to bring some fresh players in, and that’s going to be vital for us.”

Foster said All Blacks versus France Tests were always eagerly-anticipated clashes.

“There’s a mutual respect between our two countries built over years and years.  Kiwis have always loved the way the French play, there’s a flair about them that we’ve always been drawn to … they have knocked us over in some pretty big moments in history.

“They are a young, formidable team building in confidence and they’ve been targeting this match so it’s a huge way for us to finish our Tudor Northern Tour.”

All Blacks team v France

1. Joe Moody (56)
2. Dane Coles (79)
3. Nepo Laulala (39)
4. Brodie Retallick (91)
5. Samuel Whitelock (131) – captain
6. Akira Ioane (12)
7. Sam Cane (76)
8. Ardie Savea (59)
9. Aaron Smith (101)
10. Richie Mo’unga (31)
11. George Bridge (18)
12. Quinn Tupaea (6)
13. Rieko Ioane (46)
14. Will Jordan (12)
15. Jordie Barrett (35)

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (8)
17. George Bower (10)
18. Ofa Tuungafasi (43)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (10)
20. Shannon Frizell (16)
21. Brad Weber (16)
22. Damian McKenzie (39)
23. David Havili (14)

Griffin to captain Ireland for the final time against Japan

Ciara Griffin will wear the Ireland armband for the final time on Saturday afternoon when she leads her side out against Japan at the RDS Arena.

The Munster back-rower announced earlier this week that the side’s final test of the year will be her last in green.

Head Coach Adam Griggs will also take charge of the team for the last time before Greg McWilliams rejoins the Ireland Women’s set up as the boss.

Munster’s Aoife Doyle returns to the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany and Laura Sheehan, who are retained from last Friday’s win over the USA in Dublin.

Eimear Considine and Sene Naoupu continue their midfield partnership, but there is a new-look half-back pairing for Ireland with Kathryn Dane starting at scrum-half and Enya Breen in the pivotal out-half position.

It is Breen’s first start in the number 10 jersey for Ireland and it is a chance for the 22-year-old to build her Test experience.

Breen replaces Stacey Flood at out-half, who along with Beibhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe are not involved on Saturday as they fly to Dubai on Sunday with the Sevens side.

In the pack, Laura Feely, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are named in the front row, with the experienced Aoife McDermott returning to the second row alongside Sam Monaghan.

Griffin starts at blindside flanker for her 41st and final Ireland cap, with Edel McMahon continuing at openside and Hannah O’Connor back in the starting team at number eight following injury.

Leinster duo Mary Healy and Ella Roberts and Connacht back Shannon Touhey are all included in an Ireland matchday squad for the first time, with the trio among the seven replacements.

The match will kick-off at 3 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

Ireland Team v Japan

15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(17)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster)(6)
13. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster)(22)
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(45)
11. Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(5)
10. Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster)(8)
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(17)

1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(22)
2. Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(5)
3. Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)(16)
4. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)(17)
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(4)
6. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)(Captain)(40)
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(13)
8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6).

Replacements:

16. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(30)
17. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster)(4)
18. Mary Healy (Naas/Suttonians/Leinster)*
19. Anna Caplice (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(15)
20. Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster)(1)
21. Alisa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)(13)
22. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/Connacht)*
23. Ella Roberts (Wicklow/Leinster)*

Robertson and Henderson doubts for Liverpool clash with Arsenal

Liverpool will monitor the fitness of captain Jordan Henderson and left-back Andrew Robertson ahead of their match against Arsenal after they both picked up injuries during the November international break.

Senegal’s Sadio Mané, who also picked up an injury during this period, is fit and available for the clash – he has been training with the squad this week after returning to Kirkby from international duty.

However, the return to club football comes too soon for a quartet of Liverpool players working their way back into contention.

Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Naby Keita and James Milner will all be unavailable for the match this weekend.

“Robbo was lucky, we can probably say. It was a little bit DOMS, the intensity of all the games he played probably, rather than anything else,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com on Thursday.

“He was smart enough to [make] the right decision, he went off early, which he usually is not doing. But in this case it was absolutely right, and so there’s a good chance that he can be involved at the weekend.

“Hendo, a little bit more [injured] than Robbo but a chance for the weekend. So we are working on that. It’s not a serious injury but in this short period of time we have to see if he is ready for Saturday. But after that, 100 per cent, and possibly for Arsenal as well.

“Sadio is fine – painful but fine. Everybody who had a rib bruise knows it’s an annoying thing. But Sad trained here with us now in all sessions.

“We took him out a little bit earlier here and there when we knew now it will be full contact, stuff like this, just to give it a bit more time to settle. But he looks fine.”

Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday, November 20 at 5:30 pm.

Andrade v Quigley – Preview, Card, Odds, Where To Watch

Donegal boxer Jason Quigley (19-1, 14 KOs) will fight for a world title for the first time in his career when he takes on unbeaten middleweight and WBO Champion Demetrius Andrade (30-0, 18 KOs) on Friday, November 19.

The American boxer will have the home advantage when he takes on the Irishman at SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Quigley earned the title shot after racking up a three-fight win streak following his sole professional loss to Tureano Johnson two years ago.

He saw his 16-fight win streak come to an end that night in Fantasy Springs Casino but the boxer has bounced back to earn a world title shot.

The 30-year-old defeated Shane Mosley Jr via points in his most recent fight to win the  WBO NABO middleweight belt.

He boasts an impressive knockout rate of 74% but enters his first 12-round bout and faces his toughest opponent yet in the form of Demetrius Andrade.

Andrade will defend his title for the fifth time when he faces the Irish boxer, his most recent defence coming in the form of a unanimous decision victory over Liam Williams in April.

The 33-year-old American is hoping for the same result in his second fight of the year on Friday night.

His 18 knockouts at the professional level include a ninth-round TKO win over Dubliner Luke Keeler in January 2020.

He previously held the WBA and WBO light-middleweight titles before making the step up to middleweight, where he has been a champion since 2018.

Four title fights in total will be on the card, with six belts on the line on the night – Julio Cesar Martinez will be challenged by McWilliams Arroyo for his WBC World flyweight title, Jessica Camara will fight Kali Reis for her WBA and WBO world female super lightweight belts and Murodjon Akhmadaliev will defend his IBF and WBA world super-bantamweight titles against Jose Velasquez.

Full Card

Main Card

Demetrius Andrade vs. Jason Quigley; for Andrade’s WBO middleweight title

Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo; for Martinez’s WBC world flyweight title

Kali Reis vs. Jessica Camara; for Reis’ WBA and WBO world female super lightweight titles

Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Jose Velasquez; for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA world super bantamweight title

Khalil Coe vs. Aaron Casper; light heavyweight

Demsey McKean vs Don Haynesworth; heavyweight

Nelson Perez vs Raymundo Rios Cardiel; lightweight

Prelims

Thomas O’Toole vs. Mark Malone; light heavyweight

Odds

Demetrius Andrade 1/16

Draw 25/1

Jason Quigley 7/1

Where To Watch

The card will be broadcast across the world on DAZN with the main card set to get underway at approximately 12 a.m. GMT / 7 p.m. ET with the main event ring walks scheduled for 3:00 a.m. GMT / 10:00 p.m. ET.

Kevin O’Brien leaves Corofin after decorated reign

Head Coach Kevin O’Brien has left Galway club Corofin after their loss to Mountbellew-Moylough in this year’s county final, bringing an end to a hugely successful combination.

O’Brien took charge of the club in 2016 after previously working under Stephen Rochford as a selector and became one of the most decorated club managers in the sport.

The esteemed club manager then took the reins and built on Rochford’s three Galway titles in a row, extending the streak to seven in his time, and led them to an unprecedented three All-Ireland titles in three seasons.

The club also won four Connacht Senior Football Championships in his time with them.

“It’s been a phenomenal journey and a great period of success for the club,” O’Brien told Galway Bay FM yesterday.

Rival club Mountbellew-Moylough proved to be their kryptonite and the last two years have yielded no titles as a result, with the team’s two losses in the Galway Senior Football Championship since O’Brien took charge coming at the hands of the current county champions.

Mountbellew-Moylough also drew with Corofin in the 2018 county final but lost the replay in what was to be the first of three All-Ireland triumphs for O’Brien’s team.

However, Corofin’s almost-spotless record under O’Brien remains a fantastic feat – the side won 51 of their 56 Championship games with their former selector holding the reins.

“I think you have to be very grateful. There were days on the sideline where games were gone from us, and we got the luck that day. Teams evolve as well, and last Sunday was the pinnacle of that with Mountbellew’s success – and fair play to them.

“I’ve been very proud, in winning three All-Irelands, everybody in that dressing-room was from Corofin and that really, really shows the success we have within the club and the calibre of people.

“I’ve no doubt the position will be filled, and I certainly will be there to support them in whatever way I can.”

Spring & Summer 2022 Horse Racing Event Guideg

Horse racing is a major sport in the United Kingdom and across the world. With Spring and Summer providing a slew of activities, we’ve broken down the must-see horse racing events you can anticipate in 2022.

Cheltenham Festival: 15th – 18th March 2022

Four spectacular days of racing with 14 Grade One events across four seven-race cards, as the best horses, trainers, and jockeys go head to head. Each of the 28 races has its own distinct flavour. The annual four-day Jump racing festival, which includes the famed Gold Cup Day, is known for being the best Jump racing in the United Kingdom.

Coral Scottish Grand National Festival: 1st – 2nd April 2022

The Coral Scottish Grand National, which is held on the last Saturday in April, is Scotland’s most important day for jumps racing and one of the UK’s best sporting events.

In front of a sold-out crowd, up to 30 top handicap chasers will negotiate 27 hurdles in the four-mile Coral Scottish Grand National. The runners are loudly supported from start to finish, culminating in a wall of sound as they run from the last fence to the winning post.

Randox Health Grand National Festival: 7th – 9th April 2022

The most well-known steeplechase in the world is the Randox Grand National, which takes place every year in April at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, Merseyside. This three-day racing festival is broadcast live on ITV, with an estimated television audience of 600 million people and over 150,000 people watching the action live throughout the three-day event.

Grand National: 9th April 2022

The Grand National is the most famous horse racing event in the world, and it will stop the world in its tracks when it returns to Aintree in April 2022. Over 65,000 people at Aintree and 600 million people around the globe will tune in. Find out who will be the newest horse to join the ranks of Red Rum, Foinavon, and Aldaniti in the equine annals.

The Grand National is more than just a race; the crowd’s elegance, anticipation, and joy symbolize the drama that unfolds over two circuits of the Liverpool track. When witnessed in person, the excitement of the big race is incredible, and it appears that each year, the fun and excellence of the event improve. This excitement can be further enhanced by betting as it is easier than ever to do so. It often adds another layer of enjoyment to the sport for the fans and also adds the opportunity for them to study the latest winners and make informed betting decisions.

Royal Ascot: 14th June – 18th June 2022

The Royal Ascot is one of the year’s most popular social events, with five days of horse racing, pageantry, and fine cuisine. Those fortunate enough to be invited will sit in the Royal Enclosure while the rest of the guests and those who purchase their tickets will sit in one of the three other enclosures (Queen Anne Enclosure, Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure).

The Royal Ascot meeting is the biggest of the flat racing season in the United Kingdom, with an incredible eight group one races spread out across five beautiful days. All five days of The Royal Meeting in 2022 are available for corporate hospitality at Ascot, including Ladies’ Day, which has long been a popular attraction.

Ireland Women’s Junior World Cup squad confirmed

Hockey Ireland

David Passmore has named his travelling squad of 20 players to play for Ireland in their first-ever Women’s Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa from December 5 to 17, 2021.

Olympian Sarah McAuley has joined the side after establishing herself in the senior side this summer, debuting at June’s EuroHockey Championships and then helping the senior side qualify for the 2022 World Cup after Tokyo 2020.

The Ireland squad is largely drawn from the previous series’ selection with a couple of new faces coming into the fold since October.

The Junior Green Army’s late invite made for a short preparation phase but coach Passmore and the panel had previously had a packed summer programme, taking in series in Spain, Belfast and London.

Ireland will start their campaign on December 5 against Zimbabwe before meeting a top-ranked Netherlands side a day later.

The pool phase concludes with a tie against Korea and the top two of the four-team group after three games will progress to the quarter-finals.

Ulster Elks’ Charlotte Beggs was part of the senior setup that travelled to Pisa for their World Cup qualifier while fellow midfielder Amy Elliott was capped for Ireland in 2019.

Several other players in the squad have been involved with the Ireland setup in uncapped challenge matches and others have impressed for their clubs in the EY Hockey League.

Four non-travelling reserves, one in each position, have been named on top of the 20 players set to fly to South Africa.

Ireland Junior World Cup Squad

  1. Ellie McLoughlin (GK)                 UCD / University College Dublin
  2. Holly Micklem (GK)                     Old Alex / Trinity College
  3. KJ Marshall (Def)                        UCD / University College Dublin
  4. Caitlin Sherin (Def)                      Loreto / Dublin City University (Co-Captain)
  5. Emma Paul (Def)                        UCD / University College Dublin
  6. Sarah McAuley (Def)                  UCD / University College Dublin
  7. Ellen Reid (Def)                           Loughborough Students, Eng / University of                                                                  Loughborough
  8. Caoimhe Perdue (Def/Mid)         UCC / University College Cork (Co-Captain)
  9. Anna Horan (Def/Mid).                Catholic Institute / Mary Immaculate College
  10. Siofra Murdoch (Def/Mid)           Harvard, USA / Harvard University
  11. Christina Hamill (Mid)                 Loreto / Technical University Dublin
  12. Amy Elliott (Mid)                         UCD / University College Dublin
  13. Lisa Mulcahy (Mid/Def)              Loreto / University College Dublin
  14. Sophia Cole (Mid/Def)                UCD / University College Dublin
  15. Charlotte Beggs (Mid)                Ulster Elks / University of Ulster Jordanstown
  16. Siofra O’Brien (Fwd)                   Loreto / Technical University Dublin
  17. Nadia Benallal (Fwd)                  Beeston, Eng / Nottingham Trent University
  18. Rachel Kelly  (Fwd/ Mid)            UCD / University College Dublin
  19. Yasmin Pratt (Fwd)                     Loreto / IT Carlow
  20. Aoife Taaffe (Fwd)                      Loreto / University College Dublin

Non Travelling Reserves

Gemma Ferguson (GK)              Ulster Elks / University of Ulster Jordanstown

Hannah Kelly (Fwd)                    Catholic Institute / National University of Ireland, Galway

Eva Lavelle  (Mid)                       UCD / University College Dublin

Lucy Crowe (Def)                        Railway Union / University College Dublin

2021 Junior World Cup schedule (Potchefstroom, South Africa; all times local)

Pool A

Sunday, December 5: Ireland v Zimbabwe, 9 am

Monday, December 6: Ireland v Netherlands, 1 pm

Tuesday, December 8: Ireland v Korea, 11 am

Friday, December 11 to Thursday, December 16: playoff/classification matches

JGP ruled out of final Ireland test of the year, McGrath called up

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out of the final game of the Autumns Nations Series against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium this coming Sunday.

Gibson-Park has a thigh injury and fellow Leinster number nine Luke McGrath has been called into the squad to provide additional scrum-half cover.

Gibson-Park was one of Ireland’s star players at the weekend when they beat his country of birth New Zealand 29-20 in front of a sold-out Irish crowd.

The man who has made over 100 appearances for Leinster since coming to Ireland in 2016 pulled the strings for the boys in green as they dominated Ian Foster’s All Blacks to earn a second-ever win against the side in Dublin and a third in five years.

19-time Ireland international McGrath has not appeared in the green shirt for two years but has been impressive in blue under Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster.

His most recent Test for the side was the disastrous 2019 Rugby World Cup defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo.

If he does get minutes against Argentina, they will be his first under Andy Farrell, who became Head Coach for the 2020 Six Nations after being Joe Schmidt’s defence coach from 2016.

McGrath will join Munster stars Conor Murray and Craig Casey as the scrum-halves in the Ireland squad this week as the side look to extend their win streak to eight and end 2021 on a high.

In other news, James Ryan will take on the captain’s role in the absence ​​of the injured Johnny Sexton.

Jack Carty, like McGrath, earned his first call-up since the World Cup to replace Sexton earlier this week.

Tickets for Sunday’s game against Argentina are available on ticketmaster.ie

Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones out for coming weeks

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones will remain on the sidelines for several more weeks due to an eye injury he sustained in training prior to the international break.

The accidental collision ruled Jones out of Liverpool’s last two games before the November international window began – a 2-0 home win against Atletico Madrid that saw the side equal the club record of 25 games unbeaten and a 3-1 loss to West Ham that ensured their streak would be no longer.

The 20-year-old has made nine appearances for Liverpool this season and has impressed when given the opportunity.

Jones’ injury is specific to the eye and not the socket and the Scouse-born player will need a few more weeks to make a recovery.

Doctor Jim Moxon explained: “It’s a freak injury and very unlucky, but the important thing to emphasise is there is no lasting damage and his vision won’t be impacted beyond the recovery period.

“However, the nature of the issue means caution is important; we need to allow it time to heal and we can’t rush it, therefore it won’t be a speedy return.

“It needs to mend before we are able to reintroduce Curtis to full training, but there are things he can do in the meantime to maintain fitness.

“We can’t put a specific timescale on a return beyond it will be a number of weeks from now as it heals naturally, so it’s not one we will risk and patience is a virtue with this specific recovery.”

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