Ronan O'Gara: The Farrell factor with players is Ireland's point of difference
WE watched the Six Nations denouement as a La Rochelle squad on Saturday night, together. One mid-sized room, but if the breadth of emotion therein was a microcosm of the rugby population at large, we have ourselves some ball game. Twenty nine tries were scored on the final day alone, and 111 across the tournament. It didn’t take a diviner to detect that Maro Itoje and England were at it in the Stade de France. I got that same vibe only a couple of months ago when an under-performing Harlequins came to the Stade Deflandre in wretched form.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:43 UTC
Mikel Arteta rules two Arsenal stars out of Bayer Leverkusen clash but gets timely boost
In a boost, however, Leandro Trossard has returned to training and is set to be involved in the round-of-16 clash. Defender Timber came off injured in the first half of Arsenal's dramatic 2-0 win at home to Everton on Saturday. On Trossard, who took part in Monday's training session, the Arsenal manager added: "He's okay, he felt good." Arteta says that Odegaard is 'really pushing' while Timber's injury is a 'matter of days'. The Gunners were below par in the first leg, with Leverkusen opening the scoring early in the second half.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 16, 2026 14:42 UTC
NBA to take major step in expanding to 32 teams with two cities primed to get franchises
The NBA will hold a vote later this month to weigh up adding new teams in both Las Vegas and Seattle. A successful vote will allow the NBA to formally focus on bringing teams to Las Vegas and Seattle, as well as host a bidding process. We are looking at Seattle,' NBA commissioner Adam Silver said before the NBA Cup final in December. 'I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities. 'I don't have any doubt that Las Vegas, despite all of the other major league teams that are here now, the other entertainment properties, that this city could support an NBA team.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:38 UTC
Chelsea handed the Premier League's biggest EVER fine and a suspended transfer ban for rule breaks - but silence remains on Man City's 115 charges
Chelsea have been hit with the Premier League’s largest-ever fine as well as handed a suspended one-year transfer ban for their first team and told they cannot make academy signings for nine months after historical beaches of financial rules. Chelsea’s £10.75m fine beats the Premier League’s previous record of £5.5m issued to West Ham in 2007. Chelsea said in a statement: 'During an extensive Premier League investigation, the club proactively disclosed many thousands of documents. Also, when requests for information were made by the Premier League, the club promptly provided comprehensive responses and facilitated all lines of inquiry to support a complex and extremely thorough process. This information was immediately and proactively self-reported to the Premier League.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:38 UTC
Watch: PBC Cork gearing up for Munster Schools Senior Cup decider with St Munchin's
Video: Chani AndersonPresentation Brothers College head coach Ger Burke and players Ronan Twomey and Frankie Óg Sheahan speak to Stephen Barry ahead of their Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup final clash with St Munchin’s on Wednesday, March 18. Watch exclusive coverage of Pres v Munchin's on Wednesday -- as well as next week's girls decider -- as part of your Irish Examiner subscription. Learn more and watch the game here.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:33 UTC
‘Pintflation’ – the number of drinks the average wage can buy has gone flat
‘Pintflation’ – the number of drinks the average wage can buy has gone flatWe’re three pints of Guinness a year poorer as the Black Stuff price tops €6Why Guinness ‘pintflation’ is hitting drinkers hardCharlie Weston Today at 06:30Stout-price increases have reduced the number of pints of Guinness a person on an average salary can buy.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 14:33 UTC
'A really good feeling, compared to last year' - Ireland U20s rise from wooden spoon to Triple Crown
IRELAND U20 47 SCOTLAND U20 14From wooden spooners to Triple Crown winners, Ireland head coach Andrew Browne’s delight after this final-round Under-20 Six Nations victory focused on the trio of players who had suffered alongside him during a last-place finish in 2025. It also delivered a Triple Crown but was not quite enough to steal the trophy away from defending champions France, who had run out 50-21 winners over the Irish in Perpignan on the opening night of the 2026 championship. Just as Andy Farrell’s senior squad rebounded from a heavy loss in Paris last month, the U20s completed a trophy-winning comeback to make it a second Triple Crown of the weekend with a big victory over their Scottish counterparts aside in a dominant performance at Virgin Media Park. Seven tries, six of them converted by man of the match and Munster academy fly-half Wood, capped a ruthless performance. Head coach Browne was more than happy with the Triple Crown, though, and he told the Irish Examiner: “It's a really good feeling, compared to the feeling I had this time last year, which was probably the lowest feeling I've ever had in rugby.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:32 UTC
Reece James's injury hell returns to haunt him: Chelsea captain out for weeks with hamstring problem
Chelsea have been dealt the blow that their captain, Reece James, has sustained another hamstring injury which requires a scan. James played back-to-back full matches in four days, first away at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and then at home to Newcastle in the Premier League. However, eyebrows were raised when he was missing from their open training session on Monday morning before the visit of PSG in their Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday night. With a hamstring injury, it's never great. Chelsea need to stage a miraculous comeback to avoid falling out of the Champions League to PSG, who won 5-2 in Paris last week.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:28 UTC
Daily Mail Videos: Top News & Viral Videos, Clips & Footage
Gwyneth Paltrow left fans horrified as she experienced a wardrobe malfunction in her racy Oscars dress that nearly exposed her entirely. The 53-year-old actress - who recently appeared to call out A-listers who wear 'a costume' to the Met Gala - joined other celebrities during Hollywood's biggest night on Sunday at the 98th Annual Academy Awards. Share this video: Gwyneth horrifies fans with Oscars wardrobe malfunction
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:23 UTC
Hit noughties sci-fi series dubbed 'best show ever made' by fans set for return after more than two decades
A beloved noughties sci-fi series branded by fans as the 'best show ever made' is set for a return after two decades. Series star Nathan Fillion - who played Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds - announced at Awesome Con in Washington DC that an animated reboot is in advanced development. Nathan, 54, told the publication: 'The dedication of Firefly fans has kept this 25-year-old show relevant. Another said: 'This is possibly one of the best series ever, and certainly is among the best science fiction series or movies ever made.' A third wrote: 'This is one of the absolute best sci-fi shows ever created and got the royal screw treatment by Fox.'
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:19 UTC
Michael B Jordan pays tribute to other black winners in emotional Oscars speech
Michael B Jordan pays tribute to other black winners in emotional Oscars speechBy Laura Harding, Deputy Entertainment EditorMichael B Jordan paid tribute to past black Oscar winners as he was named best actor at the Academy Awards. He continued: “Thank you, everybody in this room and everybody at home, for supporting me over my career. Michael B Jordan with his Oscar (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Photo by Jordan Strauss“Thank you for everybody in this room that has something to do with my success. I love you.”Jordan won one of four gongs for Sinners, including best original screenplay for Ryan Coogler, best score, and best cinematography. The cinematography prize was won by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the first woman to be recognised in the category in its history.
Source:Irish Independent
March 16, 2026 14:11 UTC
Fears of an AI job massacre grow as Facebook-owner Meta plots to axe one in five staff
Meta could slash more than 20 percent of its workforce as the company that owns Facebook pours billions into artificial intelligence. The potential cuts could affect over 15,000 of the tech giant's employees, according to sources cited by Reuters. Senior executives have reportedly told leaders across the company to begin planning ways to reduce headcount as Meta pushes deeper into AI and automation. The looming cuts come as Zuckerberg doubles down on AI - pouring vast sums into new data centers, research teams and powerful AI models. Software company Atlassian also announced plans to cut about 10 percent of its workforce to focus on AI.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 14:05 UTC
Poll: One in five Scottish adults can't access a dentist
The findings come as the BDA urges political parties to commit to “future proofing” NHS dentistry in Scotland. The professional body has published a manifesto calling on the next Scottish Government to take further action to improve access to care and tackle widening oral health inequalities. Albert Yeung, chair of the BDA’s Scottish Council, said the sustainability of NHS dentistry now depends on decisive government action. “This significant and continued investment in NHS dentistry is delivering for the people of Scotland and supporting high volumes of patient access to NHS care. “We have delivered almost 1.1 million courses of NHS dental treatment in the latest quarter – with 96% of the Scottish population registered with an NHS dentist.”
Source:The Herald
March 16, 2026 14:03 UTC
Sex File: His phone use is killing our love life
My husband is in his 50s, but is as addicted to his phone as our teenagers. Phubbing is annoying enough when you are having dinner, but it is particularly irritating when you are in bed together. In men, problematic smartphone use correlated with lower erectile function, lower desire, intercourse dissatisfaction, overall sexual dissatisfaction and more difficulties having orgasms. In women, problematic use of smartphones correlated with difficulties with lubrication, difficulties having orgasms, sexual dissatisfaction, coital pain and greater sexual distress. He will sleep better — blue light from smartphones interferes with circadian rhythm — and he will rediscover his interest in sex.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 16, 2026 14:00 UTC
Wayne Rooney reveals the shockingly low wages he earned when he broke the Premier League's goal record aged just 16 with iconic goal against Arsenal
Rooney announced himself to the world with his first Premier League goal aged 16 - a stunning winner for Everton against Arsenal. Rooney's goal against Arsenal in 2002 - a sumptuous long-range strike into the top corner - made him the youngest Premier League goalscorer of all time. He is even being mentioned in the World Cup conversation. Theo Walcott was taken along to the 2006 World Cup aged 17, though he has since admitted it was not helpful for him. Arsenal have seven more Premier League games, including four in May, while they remain in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
Source:Daily Mail
March 16, 2026 13:58 UTC