Thurs Lunch Sport, with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Rd., Naas

Wales, France and Italy name Six Nations teams: Unbeaten Kildare Hurlers Training for Key Kerry game on Saturday; Man Utd and Arsenal in Europa League last 16 2nd Leg Tonight; Thurles Racing Re-scheduled.

The Ireland rugby team to play Scotland on Sunday could be named as early as today.

Among the expected changes from the Italy game are Johnny Sexton returning at outhalf, Jamieson Gibson Park at scrumhalf, , Tadhg Furlong at prop and Dan Sheahan at hooker.

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Scrum-half Rhys Webb will make his first start of this year's Six Nations Championship for Wales in their match away to Italy on Saturday.

Harlequins fly-half Tommy Allan will start at full-back for Italy.

Allan, who filled the fly-half role against France and England, replaces Ange Capuozzo.

Capuozzo, who created Italy’s winning try in Cardiff last season, is sidelined by a shoulder injury.

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France centre Jonathan Danty will make his comeback from injury against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Dant had suffered a serious knee injury, and is back earlier than expected

Danty will pair up with Gael Fickou, pushing Yoram Moefana to the bench.

In the back row, Francois Cros replaces the injured Anthony Jelonch.  Suspended prop Mohamed Haouas, who was sent off in the 32-21 win against Scotland in Paris, makes way for Dorian Aldegheri.

England are expected to drop Owen Farrell for Marcus Smith for their game with France at Twickenham.

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Meanwhile, two Kildare players are named in the Ireland Under-20s Six Nations team to play Scotland tomorrow night.

Naas’s Andrew Osborne, brother of senior Leinster player Jamie, will start on the wing

Suncroft’s Sam Prendergast, brother of senior international, Connacht’s Cian, was player of the match in the wins over France and Italy, and is named at out-half again.

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Kildare hurlers completer preparations this evening for Saturday’s match with Kerry.

Unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, Kildare lead Division 2A and a win would guarantee a top two spot for the Division 2A final. 

Currently, Kildare and Offaly are on 6 points each, with Kildare having a better score difference.  Kerry have 4 points, having lost to Offaly.

The winners of the Division 2A final would have a promotion/relegation playoff for a Division 1 place.

Saturday’s game is in St. Conleth’s Park at 2pm and Kfm will have full commentary, our coverage beginning at 1.50pm

The game will be preceded at 11.30am by Kildare vs Armagh in the National Camogie League Division 3.

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Rory McIlroy believes his game is trending in the right direction as he bids to win The Players Championship for a second time.

The PGA Tour's flagship tournament begins at Sawgrass in Florida today, with McIlroy teeing off just before 1pm.

Shane Lowry commences his challenge just after 5.30pm Irish time, with Seamus Power underway at 1.40pm.

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In the Europa League, last 16 2nd leg tonight, Manchester United are home to Real Betis at 8pm.

Marcel Sabitzer and Anthony Martial are unavailable for United.

Betis are managed by the former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

At the same stage of the competition, Arsenal are in Portugal to are in Sporting at 5.45pm.

In the Conference League, West Ham are in Cyprus to play A-E-K Larnaca, also at 5.45pm.


Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has admitted he could be sacked before the end of the season following the club's exit from the Champions League.

Spurs drew nil-nil with AC Milan last night and were eliminated 1-nil on aggregate.

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Today’s race card at Thurles has been cancelled due to snow and is re-scheduled to next Monday