The Irish women's team are put through their paces at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

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• Joe Schmidt has named his starting XV for Ireland‘s World Cup opener against Canada in Cardiff with Luke Fitzgerald deputising for Robbie Henshaw at inside centre.
• Conor Murray is included after successfully coming through the return-to-play protocols following the concussion he sustained against England a fortnight ago.
• Martin O’Neill has named a 40-man extended squad for Ireland’s do-or-die Euro 2016 qualifying double-header against Poland and Germany.
• However, there’s no update on the Jack Grealish saga.
• Roberto Martinez has given an encouraging injury update regarding Seamus Coleman after the Ireland defender picked up a hamstring injury against Chelsea last weekend.
• John Cleary has pulled out of the running to become the next Cork football.
• Conor McGregor is back training (he never really stops, does he?) and he’s given a fascinating insight into his methods.
• Teenager Daniel Cleary, from Dublin, was named on Liverpool’s bench for their Europa League clash against Bordeaux in France this evening.

Paul O'Connell leads the way at Ireland training in Cardiff. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Away

• Roy Keane has defended Hector Moreno’s challenge on Luke Shaw which resulted in the Man United defender suffering a broken leg.
• Although a sports surgery expert says the England international isn’t necessarily out of next summer’s European Championships.
• France have named their side Saturday’s clash with Italy while Canada have revealed their hand for the meeting with Ireland. 
• The Brazilian fan who rose to prominence during last year’s World Cup has died.

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On The Record

“I hope both teams kill each other.”

Martin O’Neill won’t be watching Sunday’s All-Ireland final but he will be keeping a close eye on proceedings from London where he’ll be taking in New Zealand against Argentina.

Martin O'Neill was in good form as he named his 40-man squad for next month's qualifiers. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Where We Were Today

Niall Kelly was out in Abbotstown as Martin O’Neill named his extended panel for next month’s decisive Euro 2016 Qualifiers while Murray Kinsella was with the Ireland squad in Cardiff.

And Joe Schmidt was also in-front of the media. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The Fixture List

• After months of build-up, the Rugby World Cup kicks-off on Friday evening when hosts England face Fiji at Twickenham.
• There’s three SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures with the Louth derby between Dundalk and Drogheda the pick of the bunch.

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