Thursday Morning Sport with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Rd., Naas

Handre Pollard has got the nod to start for South Africa in Saturday's World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris

RUGBY 

Handre Pollard has got the nod to start for South Africa in Saturday's World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris. 

The out-half is preferred to Manie Libbok in the playmaking position. 

Pollard's recall means that Faf de Klerk is recalled at scrum half, replacing Cobus Reinach.  

The Springboks management have also gone for a 7-1 split in favour of forwards on the bench, with Willie Le Roux the only specialist back among the replacements. 

So Libbok and Reinach miss out on the matchday squad altogether. 


SOCCER 

Celtic drew 2-2 with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last night to earn a first point in Group E. 

Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma scored the Celtic goals at Parkhead. 

After the game, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told BBC Scotland how impressed he was with the performance of Republic of Ireland defender Liam Scales. 


Holders Manchester City won 3-1 at Young Boys in Group G, with Erling Haaland finding the net twice. 

The Norwegian has now scored 37 goals in 33 Champions League matches. 

In Group F, Newcastle United lost 1-nil at home to Borussia Dortmund. 



Liverpool are in Europa League Group E action tonight - they welcome Toulouse to Anfield for an 8pm start. 

In another 8 o'clock kick off, Brighton host Ajax in Group B. 

An injury to Danny Welbeck means Evan Ferguson could feature for the Seagulls. 

West Ham are in Greece to face Olympiakos in Group A at 5.45. 

Also at that time, Rangers are away to Sparta Prague. 



In the Conference League, Aston Villa have made the trip to Alkmaar to play A-Z, while Aberdeen are at home to PAOK (pr: Pow-k). 



Elsewhere, a deflected header by Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu earned a point for Southampton in the Championship last night, as they drew 2-2 at Preston. 

Leeds United lost 1-nil at Stoke, and Wayne Rooney's Birmingham City lost 2-nil at home to Hull. 


HORSE RACING 

Clonmel stages seven races over jumps from 2pm this afternoon