Owen Doyle, an analyst of rugby, holds the belief that it’s high time the concept of the so-called “bomb squad” was eradicated. He finds truth in Keith Wood’s comparison of these replacements; akin to a fresh boxer joining a heavyweight match just when a significant dent was starting to be made on the original, now-exhausted opponent. It is currently under consideration by World Rugby’s expert panel, and Doyle is hopeful that they would finally put an end to the routine of loading benches with freshly-rested forwards. Doyle attributes this inadvertent effect of using bomb squads to lax replacement laws. He highlights that no one could have anticipated the direction these laws would eventually take.
Meanwhile, Gerry Thornley offers an update regarding the ongoing race for who would be wearing the prestigious number 10 jerseys for Leinster and Ireland. According to recent selections by coach Andy Farrell, the current favourites, in order of precedence, appear to be Jack Crowley, Ciarán Frawley, and Sam Prendergast. The question remains if their ranking has altered in the past few weeks.
Following his stint with South Africa’s Emerging Ireland, Prendergast is on the potential list of starters for the match against Connacht, set for the forthcoming Saturday. This comes after Leinster’s newly-appointed backs coach, Tyler Bleyendaal, ensured Prendergast was fit, who confidently confirmed, “Yeah, not a problem”.
The Irish football team, unfortunately, has been struggling through the Nations League, as confirmed by Gavin Cummiskey after their loss to Greece. The manager, expressing frustration over repeated errors, said they were “giving too many gifts”.
In domestic football, the battle for the league title seems unclaimed, as noted by Arthur Duffy during Derry City’s recent stumble, drawing 1-1 at home against Sligo Rovers.
In Gaelic sports, a discussion with Pádraic Joyce is anticipated by Seán Moran ahead of Joyce’s lead for Connacht in this weekend’s examination of the fresh regulations suggested by Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee. Additionally, Moran converses with Eamonn Kelly, manager of Loughmore-Castleiney, about his team’s recent victory in Tipperary hurling. Furthermore, Michael Fitzsimons shares his thoughts with Paul Keane on the impending match facing Cuala with the Kilmacud Crokes at this Sunday’s Dublin Senior Football final.
Ian O’Riordan covers the field of athletics, relaying the efforts underway to ensure the Dublin Marathon this month is conducted without the taint of doping, following the temporary bans of two of its past winners in light of August’s violations. Horse racing news revolves around awaiting a verdict on coach John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s protest against a ten-month suspension, as updated by Brian O’Connor.
Lastly, the climax of the Republic of Ireland under-21 team’s Euro 2025 qualifying journey is upon us as they go head to head against Italy in Trieste (viewable on RTÉ 2, 5.30). Currently trailing by three points, a victory would place them above Italy due to their superior head-to-head record; though a loss could see Norway supersede them if they triumph over Turkey, thereby securing them the second position and a play-off spot. It’s time to keep your fingers crossed.