Wednesday Lunchtime Sport with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Road, Naas

Ireland rugby starting 15 unchanged to face All Blacks, 2 new replacements named

RUGBY

Mack Hansen and James Lowe have both been named to start for Ireland in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter final with New Zealand.

Johnny Sexton captains the side from out half, while Iain Henderson starts in the second row.

Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw and James Ryan all miss out on the match day squad.

Jimmy O'Brien and Joe McCarthy are both among the replacements.

Full team,

Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadgh Beirne, Iain Henderson; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O'Brien

Ireland women's head coach Scott Bemand has named his side to play Kazakhstan in their opening W-X-V match on Friday.

Beibhinn Parsons will start on the wing, while co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon are also included.

Sarah Delaney, Megan Collis and Eimear Corri are all in line to make their debuts if introduced from the bench.

Ireland will also play Colombia and Spain in Dubai during the course of the tournament.

SOCCER

Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Birmingham City's new manager.

The former Manchester United and England captain succeeds John Eustace, who was sacked on Monday.

Republic of Ireland assistant coach John O'Shea is part of Rooney's backroom staff - but will continue in his role with Ireland.

Ashley Cole is also involved, with Birmingham currently sixth in the Championship table.

Drogheda United defender Evan Weir has been called into the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad.

He replaces Anselmo Garcia McNulty, who misses out through injury.

Cork City goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks has also linked up with Jim Crawford's squad.

Ireland are continuing their preparations for Friday's European qualifier with Latvia.


SNOOKER

Mark Allen is through to the third round at the Wuhan Open.

He came through a tense final frame to beat Si Jiahui by five frames to four.

Cork native Aaron Hill gets his match against Martin O'Donnell underway shortly.


TENNIS

Rafa Nadal will make his Grand Slam comeback at the Australian Open in January.

The 37 year old - who's won 22 major titles - has been out of action since undergoing hip surgery earlier this year.

He's already said he expects to retire following the 2024 season.

RACING
A seven-race card at Punchestown is due to get underway at 1.50 this afternoon.