Ireland made one change to face New Zealand from the side that swept Japan aside in impressive fashion last week, with Iain Henderson coming in at lock for this weekend's sterner test against the visiting All Blacks.
Ireland hammered Japan 60-5 with some silky out-of-the-hand skills and a commanding all-round display from a dynamic pack to put the home side in confident mood after an up-and-down two years under new coach Andy Farrell.
Ireland first-five Johnny Sexton. Photo: Photosport
While Ulster's Henderson comes in for Tadhg Beirne, Jamison Gibson Park held off the challenge of the experienced Conor Murray after the New Zealand-born scrumhalf's sharp performance against the Japanese side put Ireland on the front foot.
There was one change on the bench, with Ulster's Rob Herring replacing last week's debutant Dan Sheehan.
Farrell's men are on a six-match unbeaten run, stretching back to February, and will be looking to repeat their heroics of three years ago when they beat the All Blacks for just the second time with a 16-9 victory in Dublin.
The world's top team hammered Ireland 46-14 in the last clash between the two countries a year later when the wheels came off yet another Irish World Cup bid.
Ireland team: Hugo Keenan, Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton (c), Jamison Gibson Park, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter.
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Brothers given Warriors contracts from 2023
Imposing twins Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu will join the Warriors' fulltime NRL squad in 2023 after securing extended contracts with the club.
Otukinekina Kepu Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 19-year-old Aorere College products, signed on development contracts for 2022, will become top 30 players on two-year deals for the 2023 and 2024 NRL seasons.
After appearing for the Warriors' foundation S G Ball Cup (under-18 side) in 2020, the Kepus played in both Queensland's colts and Intrust Super Cup competitions for feeder club Redcliffe this year.
The Kepu twins were among the Auckland-based players involved in the Warriors' pre-Christmas preseason training block last year before flying to Tamworth to train with the full squad in January this year.
"They're big boys who have lots of promise and we were pleased to see them progress to the stage of playing in the Intrust Super Cup and acquitting themselves well," Warriors coach Nathan Brown said.
Jones writes letter to tennis star
England rugby coach Eddie Jones has written to teenage British tennis player Emma Raducanu to clarify comments he made in which he suggested her poor form was connected to embracing a celebrity lifestyle after her US Open victory.
Jones, speaking in the immediate aftermath of England's victory over Tonga, was discussing England's 22-year-old flyhalf Marcus Smith and the importance of avoiding off-pitch distractions and said: "There's a reason why the young girl who won the US Open hasn't done so well afterwards," mentioning Raducanu's magazine cover shoots and fashion deals.
Eddie Jones - 'just like society, rugby still has some way to go to stop racism.' Photo: Photosport
The Australian was criticised in some quarters for not using 18-year-old Raducanu's name in the wake of her remarkable victory and by others for what they considered a misguided analysis.
Raducanu has struggled since her incredible New York success as a qualifier, winning just two matches in total in the three tournaments she has entered.
"The whole point was how difficult it is for young players to cope with distractions," Jones said on Friday about his initial comment.
"So the point I made was not wrong... there was no criticism of Emma.
"I don't have any misgivings about what I said - I am disappointed it was taken out of context - and I would be disappointed if Emma was upset by it.
"It was deemed as being sexist and that was never the aim. I have sent her a letter just to reinforce that and hopefully we'll see her at Twickenham shortly."
Raducanu responded to Jones's initial comments by saying tennis was her number one priority.
- Reuters
Rafiq hurt by Root denials
Former Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq said he was "incredibly hurt" after England test captain Joe Root, a Yorkshire player, said he had never personally witnessed incidents of racism at the club.
Rafiq said he was subjected to racism while he was a Yorkshire player between 2008 and 2018 but an inquiry found the conduct did not warrant any disciplinary action.
Azeem Rafiq Photo: Cricketpix Ltd.
"Not that I can recall (if incidents of racism occurred), no I can't. But it is clear things have happened at the club and we have to make sure we eradicate it," Root said.
Rafiq responded on Twitter: "Disappointed is not even the feeling. Incredibly hurt. But uncomfortable truths are hard to accept it seems."
In an earlier statement on Twitter, Root said the racism scandal engulfing his club had fractured the sport and called for change and action to make cricket better.
"It's my club and I care passionately about it," Root said. "I've spent a lot of time reflecting. There is no debate about racism, no one side or the other. It is simply intolerable.
"These events have fractured our game and torn lives apart. I want to see change and actions that will see Yorkshire County Cricket Club rise from this with a culture that harnesses a diverse environment with trust across all communities that support cricket in the county."
Speaking to reporters in a conference call later Root said the most important thing was for cricket to move forward as a sport, adding that racism was deeper than just cricket.
"I think we need to address what's happened and find ways of educating more," he said.
Root, who has been at Yorkshire since 2007, said he was planning to meet with Patel at some time.
- Reuters
Stokes on track for Ashes
England all rounder Ben Stokes is on course to be available for the first Ashes test in Brisbane on December 8 after his late addition to the squad, captain Joe Root said.
Stokes took an indefinite break from cricket in July to focus on his mental health, while also recovering from a second operation on a broken finger, and was not included in coach Chris Silverwood's initial squad for the series.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
But he is with the squad and took part in a training session in Queensland on Thursday.
"Ben's been fully involved in training the last couple of days, I mean it's been very light," Root said.
"He's had a bat, he's had a bowl, taken some catches . He's done his fielding work separately but it looks like he's on track and it's really exciting."
Root warned against rushing Stokes, however.
"It's managing that excitement and making sure that we don't push him too hard and that he's ready, as best as he can be, for that first game. I really hope he's ready. It's been remarkable to see how far he's come. It looks very promising.
"Really nice to see him back involved and looking forward to getting him further involved as things progress."
Root and his team mates have been quarantining in their rooms since arriving in Australia but are now allowed out in small groups for training sessions.
- Reuters
Usyk, Joshua rematch talks imminent
Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua will initiate plans for a rematch by discussing the probable venue for the fight, Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk said.
Joshua lost his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts to Ukraine's Usyk on a unanimous points decision in front of a sell-out crowd at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.
Oleksandr Usyk. Photo: Photosport/Actionplus
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said last month the British boxer triggered his clause for a rematch against heavyweight rival Usyk and that the fight could take place in March.
"We plan to meet with Eddie Hearn within the next couple of weeks to initiate the rematch activities," Usyk's promoter Krassyuk told Sky Sports UK.
"We have three options under consideration: the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the Middle East.
"Hopefully, by the end of 2021, we will be in the position to take the final decision."
- Reuters