Uncapped lock Ultan Dillane is the "physical animal" who can ease Ireland's second-row injury crisis, says forwards coach Simon Easterby. 

The 22-year-old Connacht player was born in France but raised in Ireland.

"Ultane's been excellent, we've kept pretty close tabs on him since the World Cup," said Easterby. 

"He's a pretty physical animal, if you've seen him tackle. He hits rucks, he scrummages well, he's very powerful in the gym.

"He's the sort of player that if we can hone his skills and hone his game awareness at this level then he's going to have a bright future."

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Violence on the touchline at children's football games is so serious that someone could be killed, parents in Surrey are told.

Saracens' Schalk Brits has been suspended for three weeks after pleading guilty to punching Gloucester's Nick Wood. 

The 34-year-old was sent off by referee Craig Maxwell-Keys for the incident during the first half of last week's Premiership fixture between Saracens and Gloucester and will be available for selection again from 15 March.

Brits punched Wood, leaving the prop concussed and unable to continue, after reacting angrily to being awkwardly pushed over.

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BBC Sport looks at the stats behind Lionel Messi's two goals against Arsenal in their Champions League first-leg clash.

Former Stoke captain Andy Griffin thinks boss Mark Hughes may have to consider a formation change if players fail to recover from injury.

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Stoke currently have just three first-team defenders available for the home game against Aston Villa on Saturday. 

Griffin told BBC Radio Stoke the manager's hand may be forced.

David Haye was on 1Xtra Breakfast this morning and claims he could fight Anthony Joshua - and would win within one round.

Watch the interview here., external

Sam Clarke: Moustapha Salifou, Villa v Brighton FA Cup a few years ago. Got his own song despite being on for 45 minutes. Odd signing that. 

Steve Panes: Marco Boogers' second game for West Ham - immediately sent off for tackle on Gary Neville. Only made four appearances.

Noah Barnett: Fabio Borini for Liverpool against Arsenal, sent off after getting brought on five minutes before

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote looks likely to stay at the club for the remainder of the season with the Chinese transfer window set to close on Friday.

The Ivory Coast international was allowed to meet officials from Shanghai Shenhua in Spain last month, but a proposed move eventually broke down.

Steve McClaren is happy to keep the 29-year-old on Tyneside and has included him in his starting line-up for the last two Premier League games.

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More news from the Spurs camp and Mauricio Pochettino says Mousa Dembele faces 10 days to two weeks on the sidelines with the groin strain that forced him off against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

However, both goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and winger Erik Lamela are available to face Fiorentina following a shoulder problem and illness respectively.

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England footballer Adam Johnson has admitted he "manipulated" his girlfriend while messaging a 15-year-old girl.

Giving evidence at his trial, the former Sunderland player told Bradford Crown Court he "showed a complete lack of integrity" towards Stacey Flounders.

He told his partner to "stop being paranoid" when she asked him who he was sending messages to, the court heard.

Mr Johnson, 28, denies two counts of sexual activity with a child.

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Mauricio Pochettino is the first of the three Premier League managers we will be hearing from today ahead of Thursday night's Europa League games.

Spurs drew 1-1 with Fiorentina in last week's last 32 first leg but they will have to overcome the Italians at White Hart Lane without Harry Kane, who has a broken nose, and Mousa Dembele.

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European champion Katie Archibald will miss next week's UCI Track Cycling World Championships in London after failing to recover from injury.

The 21-year-old tore a posterior cruciate ligament in December and the medical team has taken the decision to withdraw her from the travelling party and focus on getting her back to full strength ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio.

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According to the Daily Express, external, reports in Italy say Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega, who has been a target for Manchester United, has passed a medical at Inter Milan and signed a pre-contract agreement.

The 29-year-old Argentina international will join in the summer on a free transfer when his contract expires after the La Liga side failed to come to an agreement on a new deal.

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The Scottish FA say they will vote for Gianni Infantino in Friday's Fifa presidential election.

"The Board of the Scottish FA is clear that Gianni Infantino is the best candidate possible to lead the governance reform required at Fifa," says SFA chief executive Stewart Regan. 

"We believe he has the leadership qualities required to push forward change at world football's governing body."

BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent Richard Conway profiles the five candidates who are in the running to replace Sepp Blatter.  

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2010: Sachin Tendulkar broke the record for the highest individual score in a one-day international innings, scoring 200 not out against South Africa to pass Charles Coventry and Saeed Anwar's 194.    

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Bolton boss Neil Lennon confirms striker Gary Madine was dropped from the squad at Birmingham for disciplinary reasons.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby reporter

Full-back Mike Brown says he remains motivated by England's World Cup disappointment, as the side prepare to return to Twickenham for the first time since their tournament exit.

Hosts England were eliminated at the group stage after a 33-13 defeat by Australia in October.

Ahead of Saturday's Six Nations match with Ireland, Brown says the memories of the World Cup still linger.

"That disappointment will always be in the back of your mind as a player, something as big as that," he told BBC 5 live.

"The World Cup has been and gone, but, for me, I will always have it there at the back of my mind to motivate me even more, every single day, every time I am training, every time I'm playing, every time I'm lucky enough to pull on a white jersey."

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Middlesbrough's Adam Forshaw says beating Cardiff was a "fitting" tribute to BBC Tees commentator Ali Brownlee.

Rhys Benjamin: Patrick Roberts' senior debut. Came on as a sub, scythed down Zabaleta a minute later, City scored from the free kick.

Alex Bloomfield: Eboue being subbed as a sub

Dave Mears: Mido 11-min Barnsley career was worse