Peter O'Mahony rises highest during the captain's run. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

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• Ireland held their final training session ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup this evening.
• A Dubliner will start at fly-half for the USA ahead of their RWC opener.
• Conor McGregor has been told he can defend his title at Croke Park if he beats Jose Aldo in their featherweight championship bout next month.
• Martin O’Neill admitted he has made moves to secure the services of an Arsenal starlet at international level.
• Tipperary GAA player Eddie Connolly sadly passed away after cancer battle.

RWC 15 gets under way this evening. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Away

• The NFL was at the centre of another controversy as a study found that 96% of dead players had a brain disease linked to repeat concussions.
• The UFC have booked an exciting women’s main event for Aldo/McGregor week in Vegas.
• Milner-Skudder wins 3rd cap as All Blacks aim to get Pool C wrapped up nice and early.
• Daniel Sturridge is set to return to action for Liverpool this weekend after six months on the sidelines.

The Best Thing We Shared

As any parent worth their salt knows, you don’t let your kid hit you because it really, really hurts.

On The Record

Without Paulie, you couldn’t see Ireland reaching that semi-final or final that’s being talked about. I think he’s the character in this group and is the major power in this Ireland squad.”

Peter Stringer, our new columnist here at The42, discusses just how important Paul O’Connell is to Ireland’s chances over the next six weeks.

Where We Were Today

Murray Kinsella was with the Ireland squad in Cardiff and on TV3 as part of their World Cup coverage.

TV3 Player TV3 Player

The Fixture List

• Ireland’s adventure at the Rugby World Cup kicks-off at 2.30pm on Saturday as they take on Canada. Tonga play Georgia at noon.
• There are two other games tomorrow too with South Africa v Japan  (4.45pm) and France v Italy (8pm).
• In football, there are five 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League but most of the focus will be on Chelsea v Arsenal (12.45pm) and Man City v West Ham (5.30pm).
• At home, Bray face Limerick in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division while Galway and St. Pat’s go head-to-head in the EA Sports Cup Final.
• In GAA, the Kilmacud Football Sevens takes place while Clonlara and Kilmaley contest the Clare senior hurling championship semi-final in Ennis at 5pm.

Showbiz, Baby!

Juan Mata hates Cork, that can be the only reason for leaving both Roy Keane and Dennis Irwin out of his Man United XI:

“I don’t agree with it but, then again, I didn’t read it either.”

9-time All-Ireland winner Jackie Tyrell puts his NFL knowledge to the test

‘I hope both teams kill each other!’ – Martin O’Neill’s thoughts on Dublin v Kerry