Thursday Lunch Sports Update: Porter Ruled Out Of The Remaining Six Nations Games.

Everton in FA Cup action tonight.

RUGBY

Andrew Porter has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations.

The Leinster prop suffered an ankle injury in the win over Italy last weekend.

He's set to miss the final two matches of the campaign against England and Scotland.

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Jack Carty and Dave Heffernan have been included in Connacht's team for tomorrow's United Rugby Championship clash with Edinburgh.

Both players have been released from the Irish squad for the fixture.

PARALYMPICS

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from competing in the Winter Paralympics.

It represents a major u-turn from the International Paralympic Committee, who less than 24 hours previously said they could take part as neutrals.

President of the IPC Andrew Parsons says the backlash from other nations was impossible to ignore.

The games get underway in Beijing tomorrow.

FORMULA ONE

Formula One has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix.

This year's race in Sochi had already been cancelled, but the latest move means there won't be a race in the country for the foreseeable future.

The decision by their commercial arm contrasts that of the sport's governing body - the FIA - who will allow Russian drivers to compete in motorsport events as neutrals.

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Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull.

Team principal Christian Horner has called the deal a "statement of intent" with the immediate focus being retaining the championship title.

The contract is believed to be worth close to 50 million euro a year.

GOLF

Leona Maguire is three shots off the lead after Day One at the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.

The Cavan golfer carded an opening round of two-under-par 70.

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand is the leader on five-under.

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Three Irish players finished on one-under-par after their opening rounds at the Kenya Open on the DP World Tour.

Paul Dunne, Gavin Moynihan and Niall Kearney all shot one-under rounds of 70.

Jonathan Caldwell is five-over after a 76, with Cormac Sharvin level-par after five holes of his first round.

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Rory McIlroy begins his bid for a second Arnold Palmer Invitational title shortly.

The Holywood native - who won the title in 2018 - is out on course in Orlando shortly before half one Irish time.

Padraig Harrington, Seamus Power and Graeme McDowell are also in the field.

SOCCER

Everton will look to become the eighth and final team to qualify for the FA Cup quarter-finals this evening.

They take on National League side Boreham Wood from 8.15 at Goodison Park.

The last eight draw will also take place tonight.

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St Mary's College Naas were crowned Leinster U17 A Soccer Champions yesterday afternoon.

They defeated Sacred Heart Tullamore by 6 goals to 1.

The Naas school now advance to the All Ireland Semi Final.
 
HORSE RACING

Clonmel hosts a seven race card over jumps from 2.20.