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Jared Payne suffered the injury against Australia. Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

• Ulster and Ireland have been dealt a massive blow with news that Jared Payne will be out for at least three months with a kidney injury.
• Greystones golfer Paul Dunne has begun his European Tour season in stunning fashion, carding an opening-round 66 at the Alfred Dunhill Championships in South Africa.
• Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made six changes for the province’s Pro12 game against Glasgow tomorrow night.
• Ireland‘s women’s team picked up a 17-17 draw with Fiji at the Dubai World Sevens but they were left disappointed with the result after the game ended in controversial circumstances.
• Leinster and Ireland lock Devin Toner has agreed a new three-year contract with the IRFU, which means he is signed up with the union until June 2020.
• Promising Irish winger Olamide Shodipo has signed a new contract with Queens Park Rangers.
• Kerry club Austin Stacks will put a new management team in place in the coming weeks after Stephen Stack stepped down as the club’s senior football manager.
• Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor has obtained a professional boxing licence to further fuel rumours he will switch disciplines to seek a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Away

Gregor Townsend. David Davies David Davies

• Gregor Townsend has turned down a coaching job with the British and Irish Lions for next year’s tour of New Zealand so that he can focus on his role as head coach of Scotland.
• Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla will be out for another three months after the club decided the midfielder needs to undergo ankle surgery.
• Tiger Woods is making his return to professional golf at the Hero World Challenge and it’s so far so good for the former world number one.
• Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson has been suspended for 10 games by the NFL for using marijuana to treat serious illness.
• Harry Kane has signed a new six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur, ending speculation around the striker’s future.
• Wales international James Hook is returning to the Ospreys after spells with Perpignan and Gloucester.

The Best Thing We Shared

The All Blacks belting out Ireland’s Call in a German pub — we didn’t see that coming.

On The Record

Johnny struggles to let six days go by, or six hours without kicking a ball or thinking about rugby. He’s been so dedicated since his (shoulder) surgery in the summer to Leinster Rugby. it’s been great to have him around.

Isa Nacewa isn’t too concerned about Leinster and Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton falling out of love with the game any time soon.

Where We Were Today

We were at Croke Park for the launch of the interprovincial championship.

Leinster hurling manager Ciaran Hetherton and Leinster football selector John Doyle. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Sean Farrell and Eoin Lúc Ó Ceallaigh met Fergus McFadden at LifeStyle Sports in Arnotts, Dublin while Sinead Farrell caught up with MMA star Sinead Kavanagh.

The Fixture List

• There are two games in the Guinness Pro12 tomorrow night — Munster are in Glasgow to take on the Warriors (19.35, TG4) and Ospreys host Edinburgh (19.35).
• The Alfred Dunhill Championship continues in South Africa and Paul Dunne has made a stunning start. Jack Hume, Michael Hoey and Darren Clarke are also in action. On the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods continues his comeback at the Hero World Challenge.
• In the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings host the Dallas Cowboys (00.30).

Showbiz, Baby!

Harry Kane signed on the dotted line today, committing to Spurs for the foreseeable future. That takes him close to £100,000 (€120,000) a week.

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There’s a TV blackout on the first El Clasico of the season this weekend

Beauden Barrett led the All Blacks in a powerful rendition of Ireland’s Call in a German bar