We'll Leave It There So: Best named Ireland skipper, Ashton hit with 10-week ban and all of today's sport

Plus, Conor O’Shea will leave his role as Harlequins director of rugby at the end of the season.

Tim Spencer with Michael Woods Wesley College's Tim Spencer escapes the grasp of Skerries' Michael Woods. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

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Ireland named four debutants in their squad for the Six Nations with Rory Best confirmed as captain for the tournament.
Anthony Stokes’ trial over an alleged nightclub assault has been adjourned because an essential witness is unable to attend court due to a back injury.
Kerry, Cork, Clare and Tipperary schools reached the semi-finals of Corn Uí Mhuirí in games played across Munster this afternoon.
Presentation Brothers College got their Munster Senior Cup rugby campaign off to a flying start with a 60-0 demolition of St Clement’s College.
Former Ireland international Conor O’Shea will leave his post as Harlequins director of rugby at the end of the season. O’Shea has been heavily linked with a head coaching role, with Italy believed to be his most likely destination.
Tipperary’s Con Sheehan got his pro boxing career off to a winning start with a unanimous-decision victory on his heavyweight debut in Los Angeles.

Away

Saracens v Oyonnax - European Champions Cup - Allianz Park Chris Ashton was found guilty of eye-gouging. Paul Harding Paul Harding

England winger Chris Ashton will miss the Six Nations after receiving a 10-week ban for an eye gouge on Ulster’s Luke Marshall in a Champions Cup clash.
A Dubai policeman may spend time in jail after he posted a video of himself with Lionel Messi’s passport on social media.
Jack Grealish has come in for criticism from Aston Villa boss Remi Garde following a sub-par performance against Wycombe in the FA Cup.
Jacques Brunel has named 10 uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming Six Nations.
Glasgow Warriors back row Ryan Wilson has seen a citing complaint against him for “testicle grabbing” dismissed, meaning he faces no ban.

The Best Thing We Shared

Matt Healy

Matt Healy pulled off this spectacular double chip for Connacht against Brive at the weekend. They may have lost in the end but this instinctive play by Healy was a joy to watch. Serious skills.

Where we were today

Fintan O’Toole was speaking to Dublin’s Paul Flynn and Kerry midfielder David Moran at Setanta Sports’ Dublin launch for their coverage of the national leagues.

On The Record

It feels like he never left. You go in there most days and he’s sitting on the computer. He’s still one of us and he’s never gone away.

– Anthony Foley on Felix Jones’s role as a Munster sports psychologist since his injury-enforced retirement last October.

The Fixture List

Ard Scoil Rís will take on St Munchin’s in the first round of the Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup. Elsewhere, reigning Senior Cup champions Rockwell will host Bandon Grammar School at Clanwilliam Park.
Rory McIlroy gets his season under way in Abu Dhabi amongst a strong field that contains Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson. Darren Clarke and Michael Hoey will also tee it up in the United Arab Emirates.

Showbiz, Baby!

Italy Fashion Giorgio Armani AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Russell Crowe has been forced to publicly apologise to one of his South Sydney Rabbitohs stars for targeting him with a tirade of abuse at a pre-season drinking session.

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