Johnny Sexton has questioned the 'strange' negativity around Ireland's World Cup campaign, insisting Joe Schmidt's men are ready to peak for the All Blacks.

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.

SCRUM'S THE WORD: South Africa star Cheslin Kolbe has warned that a new wave of pint-sized wingers are ready to explode into life at the World Cup.

Siya Kolisi succeeds Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton as holder of the Pat Marshall Memorial Award after being recognised at the RUWC's annual dinner in central London.

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.

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.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The good news is I sensed a sharpening of intensity with England at Murrayfield - but the bad news is some of Eddie Jones' selections are making me very nervous!

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.

DYLAN HARTLEY: A lot of people have been chucking stones at Eddie Jones but my message for the RFU is clear: give him a new contract. Dave at the pub might disagree.

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.

Sportsmail runs the rule over every player from the two sides after a brutal Six Nations encounter at Twickenham that gives England a chance of glory thanks to their 24-12 victory.

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.

Sire Du Berlais led home a Gordon Elliott one-two as he recorded back-to-back victories in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Racing leaders said on Wednesday that they are putting together a financial submission for Government aid to try to avert a desperate financial crisis.

Horse racing will be ready to resume in five weeks just in time for the first two Classics of the flat season, according to top trainer Ralph Beckett. Beckett believes acing can resume behind on May 1.

New dates will now have to be sought for the four Classics, which are the 2,000 Guineas on May 4 and the 1,000 Guineas on May 5 at Newmarket, as well as the Oaks on June 5 and Derby on June 6.

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.

The son of Giant's Causeway was yesterday sadly euthanised at Kildangan Stud as a result of health issues, and brought an illustrious career at stud to an end.

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.

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.

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.

SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) spoke to some successful horse racing professionals and sports bettors about their views and methods they endeavour to employ on a daily basis.

Racing aims to be one of the first sports to emerge from lockdown, with the British Horseracing Authority releasing a provisional list of big races it could run on the final two weekends of this month.

Andrea Pirlo has sued a man who pretended to be the Italian footballer for two years in order to receive free clothes and jewellery.

The club'sformer captain announced he was leaving his role as technical director last week, which brought an end to his 30-year affiliation with the club. Totti has been spotted enjoying a break.

Daniele De Rossi, who left Roma at the end of last season after they announced they would not renew his contract, donned his new club colours for the first time in Buenos Aires.

Moise Kean is one of the exciting young players in the world; an Italian international, Serie A champion and important figure in the fight against racism, while still in his teens.

Moise Kean is one of the most exciting young players in the world; an Italian international, Serie A champion and important figure in the fight against racism, while still in his teens.

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

Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini was enraged as his squad failed to produce any serious chances in the second half when it held a man advantage - until substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini scored.

With Serie A returning after the first international break of the season, plenty of football fans will be turning their attention to a compelling round of fixtures in Italy. 

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 33-year-old Italian midfielder has decided to hang up his boots after leaving Russian outfit Zenit Saint Petersburg as a free agent in the summer.

The former Arsenal star, who joined the Old Lady on a free transfer this summer, says he has been welcomed into the Turin-based side by the five-time Ballon D'or winner.

Napoli knew they could make up ground on second-placed Inter Milan, who drew 2-2 at home to Parma, and Juventus, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Lecce, but finished their afternoon crestfallen.

Marchisio and his wife were threatened 'with two pistols and a screwdriver' and he was forced to hand over money and other expensive possessions to the four robbers during the horrific incident.

Italian media have widely reported that Napoli will fine the players between one quarter and one half of last month's wages after they rebelled against an order by club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The Serie A club confirmed their centre back Rugani has been infected by Covid-19 on Wednesday night and will undergo a period of isolation.

Serie A bosses are reportedly working out plans to resume training and hope to be playing by the end of May or the start of June, with each side still having 12 fixtures remaining.

Sienna Miller looked phenomenal once again on Sunday as she arrived at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York ahead of presenting an award.

Jussie Smollett returned to social media for the first time since alleged hate crime attack to pay homage to Pride Month on Monday.