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

Northern Ireland and England in Euro qualifiers action tonight

RUGBY

A full meritocracy will be in place for European qualification from the United Rugby Championship this season.

Competition organisers have confirmed the move ahead of the start of the new campaign this weekend.

It means the top eight teams will qualify for the Champions Cup, with the remaining teams going into the Challenge Cup.

That's in a change to last season's format, when the winners of the regional shields were granted a place in the Champions Cup.


Eddie Jones says he wants to remain in charge of Australia, despite their worst ever Rugby World Cup performance.

They were knocked out in the pool stage for the first time at the tournament in France.

Jones has been linked with a return to Japan but he insists he's keen to continue with the Wallabies.

SOCCER

Northern Ireland entertain Group H leaders Slovenia in Euro 2024 qualifying tonight.

Michael O'Neill's side are second from bottom in the group ahead of the match at Windsor Park.

Kick off is at 7.45.

At the same time at Wembley, England require just a point against Italy in Group C to book a spot at next summer's finals.


Scotland manager Steve Clarke says the best way they can improve is test themselves against teams like France.

The two sides square off in an international friendly tonight, with both countries already guaranteed a place at the Euros next year.

Kick off in Lille is at 8pm.

 

GOLF

The death has taken place of the 'Voice of the Open' Ivor Robson.

As the official starter at The Open Championship for 41 years, he introduced the world's top players as they embarked on their rounds.

Robson also acted as the starter on the DP World Tour.

The Royal and Ancient have led the tributes, saying the Scot had 'one of the most distinctive voices in golf'.


RACING

There's an all-flat card at Gowran Park this afternoon.

The first of seven races is off at five-to-two.