Bayonne’s lack of tangible reward should enhance Leinster’s prospects of a 30th consecutive pool win and favourable passage in the knock-out stages. And, though beaten by Stormers here in round one, this is regarded as the ultimate fortress in French rugby. A win would also open the door to a top two seeding for the fourth season in a row, especially with a bonus point. Leinster look more powerful as a result of last week’s memorable 25-24 win over La Rochelle. Forecast: Leinster to win, with a hard-earned bonus point.

Some of Tubridy’s remuneration was secretly funnelled to him by RTÉ through Renault, the former sponsor of The Late Late Show. His relationship with Kambamettu developed through the spring and early summer of 2023, through his 50th birthday and also his departure from The Late Late Show, which had exhausted him. Despite his previous lofty pay, Tubridy suggests he had to make it before he could pay it back. If he really is “Tubs-o-cash”, as one tabloid called him during the RTÉ scandal, he either hides it well or he has spent it all on books. “I’m a different person now to who I was a couple of years ago.

Cullen Killeen has been cleared to line out for Loughrea in Sunday’s All-Ireland senior club hurling final against Ballygunner. Referee Johnny Murphy dismissed the would-be man of the match Killeen for the incident involving Brendan Rogers. Killeen and Loughrea had unsuccessfully contested his one-match ban for striking with minimal force to the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee (CHC) and Central Appeals Committee (CAC). "Pursuant to Rule 7.6 (q) the Tribunal quashed the decision of the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) dated 15 January 2026. The Tribunal thereafter quashed the decision of the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) dated 9 January 2026.

The PSNI opened a murder investigation following the death of Wayne Reid in ColerainePolice in Northern Ireland have arrested a seventh person in connection with the death of Wayne Reid in Coleraine, Co Derry. On Saturday afternoon detectives arrested a 45-year-old woman and a 38-year-old woman on suspicion of murder. Another man (33), arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday, also remains in custody. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it believes he may have been involved in an altercation sometime between Thursday, January 8th, and Saturday, January 10th. Det Chief Insp Hazel Miller previously said officers, along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to an address in the area of Coleraine following a report.

Author Julian Barnes married in secret ahead of his 80th birthday while battling a rare form of blood cancer. Mr Barnes said he never expected to 'start again' when his first wife, literary agent Pat Kavanagh, died from a brain tumour in 2008 - adding that she gave him her blessing to find love again. His romantic relationship with Ms Cugnoni began eight years ago, just a of couple years before his cancer diagnosis. At the time, Ms Cugnoni had said his celebratory speech was so fantastic she would like him to eventually make a speech at her wedding. The newly weds have known each other for 30 years as Ms Cugnoni was Mr Barnes's publisher at Vintage.

Charlie Ireland, the unassuming star of Clarkson's Farm, has revealed the secret heartache his family suffered after his father was killed by motor neurone disease. 'Cheerful Charlie', as he is ironically and affectionately known, was Jeremy Clarkson's agronomist - meaning advisor on all things farming - long before the Clarkson's Farm series was conceived. Clarkson's Farm has proven wildly popular, often topping streaming leaderboards around the worldSeries five of Clarkson's Farm is due to air in the spring, with more likely on the horizon'You do your bit, but it's quite hard work, which is the understatement of the year. Chris died on February 26, 2011, after meeting his first two grandchildren. Series five of Clarkson's Farm is due to air in the spring.

‘The child abuse images are a step too far for humanity’ – the Irish politicians deleting their X accounts over ‘vile’ Grok appGreens, Labour and the Soc Dems have all stopped using the social media platform, while Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin continue to use itIndo Politics - The Government and the Grok issueMary Regan Today at 06:30Maybe they should have all just listened to ­Willie O’Dea in the first place. Back in 2010 at the time of the open embrace of Twitter by many public figures, the Limerick TD cautioned that “politicians should leave tweeting to the birds”.

It’s a something of a hit among downsizers who are looking for a single-storey option in a location convenient to public transport and retail. Douglas village is only minutes down the road and bus services are regular to both the village and Cork City centre. Jeremy Murphy, of Jeremy Murphy & Associates, is selling this 102 sq m, three-bed home, in a well-established suburban setting, and he says it’s proving extremely popular. Alongside location, garden aspect is another key attraction: Enclosed, west-facing and with a suntrap patio and a nice stretch of lawn. 5 The View, Broadale, Rochestown RoadThere’s lawn to the front, too, and off-street parking for a couple of cars.

January got off to a freezing start — low temperature warnings are a common alert at this time of year. Put simply: if you can see frost on cars or roofs, then it’s cold enough to freeze and pose a risk to your pipes. This small amount of background heat is enough to prevent freezing and could save you hundreds in repair costs later on. Fitting foam tubing or pipe wrap around any exposed pipes helps them retain heat and creates a barrier against freezing temperatures. What to do if a pipe freezesIn the unfortunate event that your pipes freeze, a basic knowledge of plumbing will help you locate and thaw a frozen pipe.

Like most things he turns his hand to, when Paul Geaney was asked a few years ago to contribute to a book comprised of tips from multiple inter-county hurlers and footballers for aspiring players, he gave it considerable thought and time, likening the development of a budding player and the promise of them “producing the goods in Croke Park” to the planting of vegetables. “You must choose the right location with plenty of sun, ample space, good soil, irrigation and the right sort of vegetable for the right time of year,” he’d write in Seán O’Sullivan’s The Players’ Advice. “You must plough the soil, plant the seeds, maintain the crop and then wait a substantial amount of time to reap the rewards. Even when the vegetables have grown to harvest, the job is still only half done. They must then be picked and sorted for market.”

The chasm didn’t look so wide until he was asked to jump it. After St Brigid’s first won an All-Ireland, county star Karl Mannion went straight back into Division 3 football for a league clash with Cavan. The worlds were suddenly very different. “I was caught in possession two or three times,” he told The Sunday Times a number of years ago.

Roy Keane says Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim head coach is an indication of “chaos” at Manchester United. Former England assistant Steve Holland will join Carrick in the dugout alongside Jonathan Woodgate, who worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough, and Jonny Evans. You look at the staff he’s brought in, you look at Manchester United being the best of the best – at this moment in time I don’t see that. Keane went on to say he would not go back to Manchester United if they asked him. “Would I come and help Manchester United?

Chelsea icon John Mikel Obi has weighed in the ongoing turmoil at Manchester United, and who they need to sign to replace Casemiro. 'I think they do need a midfielder, I think they are talking about Carlos Baleba, the guy from Brighton. I think it will help Manchester United in terms of being that player they need, that we have in Caicedo for Chelsea. 'I think they will need that sort of player because, trust me, Casemiro, I respect him, fantastic player. 'So for me, I respect Casemiro, but I think Manchester United do need another holding player.'

Little appetite among RTÉ staff to back motion of no confidence in DG Kevin BakhurstSiptu source says real issues at broadcaster are linked to leadership team and boardRTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst. Photo: PANiamh Horan Today at 13:28There is little appetite among RTÉ staff to back a motion of no confidence in director general Kevin Bakhurst, the Sunday Independent has learned.

Cian Carew at the Irish Times Debate second semi-final in Rathgar Methodist Church in Dublin on Friday. The individual speakers were Cadet Leahy from the Cadet School and Jessica Brown from UCD’s Law Society. Speaking against the motion were Ms Mohan and Mr Leahy from King’s Inns and Julia Best and Mr Carew from SADSI. [ UCC and Kings Inns come out tops in first Irish Times debate semi-finalsOpens in new window ]The final will take place at Dublin City University (DCU) on Friday, February 27th. The Irish Times competition, which began in 1960, is an all-island debating championship for third-level students.