Making Headway proved well named as he made all the running to secure his spot at the Cheltenham Festival by taking the Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s six-year-old has been highly tried since scoring at Carlisle on debut, finishing second in a Grade Two at Haydock before heading to the highest level at Aintree on Boxing Day.

He finished fourth on that occasion and back in calmer waters, he was sent off the 6-4 favourite in the hands of Henry Brooke as he showed his quality to land a decisive one-and-a-quarter-length success.

“We were a bit worried when Nicky Henderson and Jonjo O’Neill’s horses were being backed, but we’ve always liked him and he’s so straightforward and wants further,” said Greenall.

“It’s hard to do that from the front and he’s looking about and it’s tough for Henry to know what speed he is going. It didn’t look to be that quick, but Josh text me to say they were going 29 to 30 miles per hour – on heavy ground, that is probably quick enough.

“As soon as they have come to him and given him some company, he has gone on again and he had his ears pricked crossing the line.”

Stable star Iroko provided the Greenall and Guerriero team with their first Cheltenham Festival success in last year’s Martin Pipe and that is one of the options available to their latest star novice.

Greenall added: “We will get him entered in the Coral Cup and the Martin Pipe and I think a step up in trip will bring about a better performance. Hopefully the handicapper will base the race on him and his mark shouldn’t alter.

“Iroko had that season juvenile hurdling and was a lot more streetwise and that would be my only concern about going to Cheltenham with Making Headway.

“We were probably in two minds before today whether we would go to Cheltenham because he is a rawer type – Iroko being more of a French type running in those good juvenile hurdles – but to be fair to this lad, when he went up in grade at Haydock and Aintree he looked flat out but jumped very well, which I think is a sign of a very good horse, so he would have that in his favour.”

Alan King described the Betfair Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle as Emitom’s “Gold Cup” as he registered his second Newbury triumph.

The 10-year-old had to battle hard to see off 3-1 favourite Kyntara, with King believing the game veteran is unlikely to compete in the Pertemps Final at Prestbury Park next month.

“He was brave and since we’ve had him, he’s only disappointed me once,” said the Barbury Castle handler.

“We probably over-faced him in the valuable race up at Haydock – it was too competitive and he never really went a yard.

“We gave him a little break and he bumped into a proper horse of Jonjo’s at Ludlow (Saint Davy) and we were very happy with him leading into this.

“He likes Newbury and this was his Gold Cup. He’ll want plenty of time and had a tough old race today, so we will give him a month and we haven’t really looked beyond today.”

Eagle Fang booked his Cheltenham Festival ticket with victory in the A.M. Transport Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle at Naas.

The four-year-old finished third in his only Flat start for Keith Dalgleish before being sold for 55,000 guineas last July and joining William Durkan’s team.

Placed on his first three starts, including at Grade Three level, Eagle Fang has cut little ice upped to Grade Two company at Christmas but dropped in calibre here, he posted a five-length success in the hands of Phillip Enright.

The 9-4 favourite stayed on well on heavy ground, with Paddy Power cutting him to 12-1 from 25s for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at next month’s Festival.

Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: “We thought he would have won his maiden by now, but he’s bumped into a few smart horses. We freshened him up and came here.

“The Boodles has been the plan with him.

“He’s a lovely horse for the future and stepping up in trip he’ll be a nice horse next year.

“He’s tough and not your typical Flat horse. He doesn’t do a whole pile at home.

“We’d like to see a bit of rain for Cheltenham, and he should get in now.”

Terence O’Brien also has Cheltenham on his mind for Answer To Kayf following his win in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle.

Sent off a 7-2 chance, Answer To Kayf put in a fine round of jumping before showed a determined attitude to fend off the challenge of the evens favourite Captain Cody by a length and a half under 7lb claimer John Shinnick.

O’Brien said: “We gave him an entry in the Albert Bartlett and I was thinking of going for the Martin Pipe. We’ll see how he comes out of it and we’ll probably give him an entry in the Martin Pipe.

“There is a great prize for the Final of this Series in Punchestown and I suppose that is probably the main aim. Whether we take in Cheltenham in the meantime, we’ll see how he comes out of this.

“I’d say he’s flexible in terms of trip. He’s not a slow horse and I didn’t think he was stopping there at the finish.

“Johnny’s 7lb claim was obviously a big help today and we’ll see what the handicapper does with him after this.”

Paddy Power make him a 16-1 shot for the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Damian Lillard said it was about time the Milwaukee Bucks played like championship contenders after scoring 26 points on his comeback in Friday's win over the Charlotte Hornets.

An ankle injury caused Lillard to miss back-to-back defeats against the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves this week, but he returned with a bang against the short-handed Hornets.

Lillard's 26-point haul led five Milwaukee players in double figures as they condemned Charlotte to a 10th straight defeat, with the All-Star guard also adding four rebounds and eight assists.

Having halted a three-game losing streak, the Bucks sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 34-19 record, and Lillard says a few home truths from head coach Doc Rivers led to their improvement.

"We were just more physical," Lillard said after Friday's game. "Doc just challenged us. He checked us on what we say we want to do versus what we've been doing. 

"To be a team that is considered a contender with what we want to accomplish… we've got to start acting like it."

Giannis Antetokounmpo was only needed for 24 minutes but still recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Bobby Portis added 18 points and seven rebounds.

The Bucks also handed a debut to veteran guard Patrick Beverley, who they acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

He finished with six points and four assists in just 12 minutes on the court, also making a big impression with his willingness to call plays on the floor. 

"He brought energy, he brought edge and just experience," Lillard said of Beverley. "There were times where he just kind of directed some actions offensively and defensively in the huddle.

"He knows who he is, he knows what he brings to a team and he's not shy about it. You heard his voice the moment he walked in."

Beverley said of his approach: "The way I go about things, I'm not going to make everyone happy.

"I'm going to upset some people. I hold myself to a high standard and I expect everyone else to do the same.

"My approach is very strong until you get to know me. But once you get to know me you understand; 'the only thing he does is want to win.'"

Erling Haaland scored his first goals since November as champions Manchester City finally wore down Everton to claim a hard-fought 2-0 Premier League win on Saturday.

The prolific Norwegian, who recently returned to action after a foot injury, broke the deadlock after 70 minutes of a drab lunchtime encounter at the Etihad Stadium and wrapped up victory five minutes from time.

It was City’s 10th successive win in all competitions and fired out another warning to their title rivals that their momentum is growing.

City’s superior quality warranted the result, and ultimately it was not a surprise, but it was nevertheless a bitter blow for relegation-threatened Everton after a dogged display.

Toffees manager Sean Dyche may not have been seen pitchside due to a touchline ban but there was no mistaking his influence as Everton, without a league win since December, frustrated City.

The game was slow to get going, not helped by a lengthy delay early on for City goalkeeper Ederson to receive treatment after a collision with Ben Godfrey.

City controlled possession but found opportunities hard to come by. They had little space in which to attack as Everton kept men behind the ball and, with Kevin De Bruyne on the bench and Phil Foden wide, they lacked a creative spark.

Some of their brighter moments came courtesy of Jeremy Doku on the left. The Belgian twice beat Godfrey but one ball across the box was cleared by Jarrad Branthwaite and another cross was too high for Haaland.

Their best chances of the first half came following a corner just before the break as Manuel Akanji and Haaland both had efforts blocked in a crowded box.

Everton created little themselves although Jack Harrison blazed one half-chance well over.

After little change following the restart, City boss Pep Guardiola sent on De Bruyne and Kyle Walker in an attempt to inject some energy.

Doku also remained a danger and he found Haaland in the box but the Norwegian’s ball across goal was turned behind.

Rodri then shot well over but, despite increasing anxiety in the crowd, City maintained their composure and kept probing.

The breakthrough finally came as Everton, for the first time, failed to effectively deal with a ball into the box.

A header was blocked and the ball found its way to Haaland, who met it with a fierce right-footed strike that flew past Jordan Pickford. It was a scrappy goal but reward for City’s persistence.

Everton were deflated and they were caught out again as Haaland finally found some space and was released by a fine De Bruyne through ball. The striker made no mistake as he shrugged off Branthwaite and slotted into the bottom corner.

The job was done although, with 10 minutes of stoppage time, there might have been a livelier finish had a Beto strike not been disallowed for offside.

Shishkin bounced back to form at Newbury to take the Betfair Denman Chase for Nicky Henderson.

The 10-year-old had endured a luckless campaign so far, refusing to start in the 1965 Chase at Ascot on his seasonal bow in November before unseating Nico de Boinville when going well in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He was the 8-11 favourite to return to winning ways in the Newbury Grade Two and travelled behind race leader Protektorat for much of the near three-mile contest.

Around the final bend, Shishkin began to pick up the bridle and was comfortably able to stride clear of his four rivals to prevail by four and a quarter lengths.

Patrick Mahomes has Tom Brady in his sights on the eve of his bid to win a third Super Bowl.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is preparing to star in his fourth Super Bowl in six seasons in Sunday’s clash against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas.

Brady’s record seven Super Bowl titles saw him retire from NFL as the game’s undisputed greatest of all time.

But Mahomes, 28, has the chance to move to within four titles of Brady, who retired at the age of 45.

“If you ask me that question (of emulating Brady) in 15 years, I’ll see if I can get close to seven,” said Mahomes in a press conference to preview Sunday’s blockbuster match. “But seven does seem like a long way away.

“I have won only two Super Bowls so there are a couple of other guys in front of me before I even get close to chasing Tom.

“All you can do is try to be your best in every single game, play my best football, and hopefully my best football will be good enough to win this third Super Bowl.

“And then it is about doing it next year, and the year after that, and at the end of my career, hopefully I can say I am close to Tom.”

Mahomes’ Chiefs are out to become the first side to win consecutive NFL titles since Brady’s New England Patriots achieved the feat 19 years ago.

Mahomes continued: “I got close to winning back-to-back championships a couple of years ago and fell short in pretty disappointing fashion.

“I was blessed to get to two Super Bowls very early in my career, and we have had to work hard to get back here.

“So to be back on this stage, have that opportunity, and maximise that moment is important because not a lot of teams have been able to do it in the past.”

Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey is hopeful the team could have Joel Embiid available for a potential playoff run, after the NBA MVP was forced to undergo knee surgery this week. 

Embiid has been sidelined since displacing a flap of the lateral meniscus in his left knee during the 76ers' 119-107 defeat to the Golden State Warriors at the end of January. 

That injury came on Embiid's return to action after he missed the team's previous two games with another knee problem. Last Sunday, Philadelphia confirmed that Embiid would go under the knife to correct the issue, throwing his availability for the rest of the season into doubt.

The 76ers currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-21 record, though they are 4-12 in games Embiid has missed this season. 

They have lost eight of their last nine following Friday's 127-121 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, with that run casting doubt over their championship aspirations. However, should the 76ers manage a deep playoff run, Morey is upbeat regarding Embiid's prospects of featuring. 

"We're hopeful," Morey said when asked about Embiid before Friday's game. "The feedback has been more good than bad since we first heard about what led to his procedure. 

"So, we're hopeful and we're building the team to make it better this year. 

"Obviously, it's not at 100 per cent. But with Joel playing at an MVP level, hopefully, he could get back to that. This is a year where we have a real shot.

"If the hope wasn't there in Joel, I think it would have changed things dramatically. 

"We're very hopeful. Obviously, it's not 100 per cent. It's something that is probably a good chunk short of 100 per cent, but we thought it was the right thing [for Embiid to have surgery].

"There's a lot of ways to not win the title. Winning a title is hard; Joel not coming back at the level we hope is one of the ways we can't win a title this year.

"But you always want to be among the best teams and that means taking risks on the injury front. That's where we are at right now."

Philadelphia looked to rebalance their roster ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, acquiring veteran guards Buddy Hield and Cameron Payne in separate deals while allowing Patrick Beverley, Danuel House, Furkan Kourkmaz, Jaden Springer and Marcus Morris Sr. to depart.

Morey believes Hield, in particular, will provide vital support to Tyrese Maxey during Embiid's spell on the sidelines, saying: "Our priority was to get a big, but we wanted to add to our playoff rotation.

"We have to win games and it's going to be a battle, but we were focused on playoffs, we have a rotation that we know can win at a high level. He [Hield] was the only player who moved teams that would play a big role in our rotation. What he brings to the table is pretty obvious."

The 76ers' latest defeat came at the hands of a Hawks team inspired by Trae Young, who had 37 points and 12 assists as Atlanta improved to 23-29 with an impressive road win.

"This isn't the easiest place to play, so coming in here and getting a win at any time is a good thing for us," Young said after the game. 

"We had some guys out, so we needed other guys to step up and they did."

Ollie Watkins has targeted Aston Villa’s Premier League goals record after passing his half-century.

The striker became just the third Villa player to reach 50 goals in the Premier League after scoring against Newcastle last month.

Only Dwight Yorke (60) and Gabby Agbonlahor (74) have scored more for Villa and – ahead of Sunday’s visit of Manchester United – Watkins, with 59 goals overall, wants to chase them down.

“When I signed my new contract, that was one of my main goals – to break that, to win something with the club, to push on and try to achieve something,” said the England striker, who has 51 top flight goals after scoring in the 5-0 win at Sheffield United last week.

“I feel like I’m improving as a player under this manager and with this team.

“Obviously I’m getting older but I feel like my game is maturing, I’ve got a better understanding and I’m being more clinical.

“So, I’ve got a lot of targets I want to reach and Gabby’s record is one of them.

“I knew I’d play in the Premier League one day but if you’d have told me I would score 50 Premier League goals for a club like Aston Villa, and the amount of appearances I have, then I would have said ‘you’re lying’.

“So I’m delighted to reach this milestone. It’s a very proud moment for me. But I’m not going to stop here, I’m going to get to 100 and push on from there.”

The 28-year-old also has 10 assists, as well as his 11 top flight goals this term, as Villa challenge for the Champions League spots.

They have lost their last two home games – to Newcastle and Wednesday’s FA Cup defeat to Chelsea – and Watkins is aware of the growing pressure if Unai Emery’s side are to stay in the top four.

“This is a game we need to win on Sunday,” he told the club’s official site.

“We need the fans bouncing. When Villa Park’s loud it’s one of the best places to play football and we need that.

“Obviously we’ve had a few dodgy results there, conceding quite a few goals, and maybe not having the performances the fans expect from us or what they’ve seen in the early part of the season.”

Caelan Doris was urged to be himself by former Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton after being handed the “pretty cool honour” of captaining his country against Italy.

Leinster back-rower Doris will lead the reigning Grand Slam champions into Sunday afternoon’s Guinness Six Nations match in Dublin following a calf injury to Peter O’Mahony.

The 25-year-old sought advice from Sexton, who retired after last year’s World Cup, and current international team-mates O’Mahony, Iain Henderson and James Ryan, having received news of his temporary appointment from head coach Andy Farrell on Tuesday.

“Delight was the initial feeling but also nerves and excitement and finding my feet in the new role,” said Doris.

“There’s been a bit of mixture of all that but it’s a pretty cool honour to have for the week.

“I was even on the phone to Johnny there during the week.

“There are a few key figures for us who aren’t involved this week but I’ve been leaning on them big time.

“The main one (piece of advice) has been ‘be yourself’.

“The tendency is seeing Pete and seeing Johnny doing such a good job in how they do it and thinking, ‘how can I emulate that?’

“But their message has just been ‘be yourself’ – being authentic is the best way to lead and finding my own way to do it, which is challenging at times but it’s been good.”

Doris has developed into a genuine world-class talent since making his international debut in the opening match of the Farrell era in 2020.

He only captained his province for the first time during a 22-21 loss to Ulster on New Year’s Day but was selected as Ireland stand-in skipper ahead of lock Ryan, who regularly deputised in the role for Sexton.

“Stuart Lancaster (former Leinster coach) would have tried to push the leadership bit out of me, and the same with Faz (Farrell) in camp over the last number of years,” said Doris.

“I’ve been in the leadership group for a couple of years, but it’s an area I do want to develop and want to continue to grow, whether I’m in the group or in this role this week.

“It does cause a bit of stress and there’s more responsibilities that come with it but it’s definitely rewarding too.

“Just talking to Faz this morning he basically said to do it in your own way and that you don’t need to have these big speeches prepped.”

Doris has switched from number eight to openside flanker for the Azzurri’s visit to the Aviva Stadium, with Farrell making six personnel changes to the starting XV which began last week’s thumping 38-17 win away to France.

Munster pair Craig Casey and Jack Crowley will partner each other in the half-back positions, while 22-year-old lock Joe McCarthy continues following his eye-catching outing in Marseille.

“It’s a pretty exciting team, a few new combinations,” said Doris.

“Craig starting at nine, who’s been class for Munster over the last while and I’m delighted to see him get an opportunity.

“I think lads have been putting their hands up. Big Joe goes again in the second row, who’s been class; Crowler at 10, who is another leader and has been leading us well and has been doing the same at Munster.

“There’s enough experience there and enough old heads but there’s some excitement as well with some of the younger guys.

“The challenge this week is to back up last week’s performance with an even better one across all areas. It’s a pretty exciting prospect.”

Caelan Doris was urged to be himself by former Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton after being handed the “pretty cool honour” of captaining his country against Italy.

Leinster back-rower Doris will lead the reigning Grand Slam champions into Sunday afternoon’s Guinness Six Nations match in Dublin following a calf injury to Peter O’Mahony.

The 25-year-old sought advice from Sexton, who retired after last year’s World Cup, and current international team-mates O’Mahony, Iain Henderson and James Ryan, having received news of his temporary appointment from head coach Andy Farrell on Tuesday.

“Delight was the initial feeling but also nerves and excitement and finding my feet in the new role,” said Doris.

“There’s been a bit of mixture of all that but it’s a pretty cool honour to have for the week.

“I was even on the phone to Johnny there during the week.

“There are a few key figures for us who aren’t involved this week but I’ve been leaning on them big time.

“The main one (piece of advice) has been ‘be yourself’.

“The tendency is seeing Pete and seeing Johnny doing such a good job in how they do it and thinking, ‘how can I emulate that?’

“But their message has just been ‘be yourself’ – being authentic is the best way to lead and finding my own way to do it, which is challenging at times but it’s been good.”

Doris has developed into a genuine world-class talent since making his international debut in the opening match of the Farrell era in 2020.

He only captained his province for the first time during a 22-21 loss to Ulster on New Year’s Day but was selected as Ireland stand-in skipper ahead of lock Ryan, who regularly deputised in the role for Sexton.

“Stuart Lancaster (former Leinster coach) would have tried to push the leadership bit out of me, and the same with Faz (Farrell) in camp over the last number of years,” said Doris.

“I’ve been in the leadership group for a couple of years, but it’s an area I do want to develop and want to continue to grow, whether I’m in the group or in this role this week.

“It does cause a bit of stress and there’s more responsibilities that come with it but it’s definitely rewarding too.

“Just talking to Faz this morning he basically said to do it in your own way and that you don’t need to have these big speeches prepped.”

Doris has switched from number eight to openside flanker for the Azzurri’s visit to the Aviva Stadium, with Farrell making six personnel changes to the starting XV which began last week’s thumping 38-17 win away to France.

Munster pair Craig Casey and Jack Crowley will partner each other in the half-back positions, while 22-year-old lock Joe McCarthy continues following his eye-catching outing in Marseille.

“It’s a pretty exciting team, a few new combinations,” said Doris.

“Craig starting at nine, who’s been class for Munster over the last while and I’m delighted to see him get an opportunity.

“I think lads have been putting their hands up. Big Joe goes again in the second row, who’s been class; Crowler at 10, who is another leader and has been leading us well and has been doing the same at Munster.

“There’s enough experience there and enough old heads but there’s some excitement as well with some of the younger guys.

“The challenge this week is to back up last week’s performance with an even better one across all areas. It’s a pretty exciting prospect.”

Sire Du Berlais returns to action in the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday with connections expecting him to improve for the run.

Now 12, the Gordon Elliott-trained veteran has been a brilliant servant to connections, winning and finishing second in the Stayers’ Hurdles as well as winning the Pertemps Final twice.

Last spring he arguably peaked, following up his Stayers’ Hurdle success in the Aintree Hurdle and he came within three-quarters of a lengths of winning at Punchestown as well.

Reappearing over a trip of two miles and five furlongs, short of his best, he is unlikely to be seen to best effect but a return to Cheltenham should be on the cards if all goes well.

“Gordon’s been looking at this race for him for a while now and then head on to Cheltenham,” said Frank Berry, owner JP McManus’ racing manager.

“He’s had a few little hiccups earlier in the season, but he’s back now in good form and we’re hoping to get a nice run into him on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t have thought we’d see him at his best this week, the trip’s a bit short, he doesn’t love heavy ground and he always improves for a run. That’s why he’s always gone well in the spring.”

Elliott also runs Delta Work and Galvin, who are both building towards the cross-country at Cheltenham and Beacon Edge, winner of the race in 2021 for Noel Meade.

Also reappearing is the Charles Byrnes-trained Blazing Khal, winner of this race 12 months ago but not sighted since finishing sixth behind Sire Du Berlais at Cheltenham.

The other Grade Two on the card sees Elliott’s American Mike and Favori De Champdou take on Willie Mullins’ pair of Minella Cocooner and Nick Rockett in the William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase.

Brighterdaysahead will be hoping to book her Cheltenham ticket for Elliott in the Listed Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle.

Ireland continue their Guinness Six Nations title defence with Sunday afternoon’s match against Italy in Dublin.

Andy Farrell’s men launched their campaign with a record bonus-point win away to France, while the Azzurri were narrowly beaten by England.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main talking points ahead of the Aviva Stadium clash.

Too early to talk about successive Grand Slams?

The reigning champions were handed the toughest opening fixture yet emerged from round one of the tournament as the only convincing victors. Ireland crushed pre-tournament favourites France in Marseille with a statement 38-17 success which propelled them into pole position for further championship glory. The fixture has been the title decider in each of the past two years and could prove to be again. Farrell’s team are expected to win this weekend and will also be favourites for subsequent Dublin showdowns with Wales and Scotland. A round-four trip to Twickenham appears to be Ireland’s biggest obstacle to becoming the first side to claim back-to-back Grand Slams since the Six Nations began in 2000.

Captain Caelan

Caelan Doris was touted as a potential successor to Johnny Sexton as Ireland captain. A calf injury for new skipper Peter O’Mahony means the 25-year-old has the chance to lead his country for the first time just two games into the post-Sexton era. Doris made his debut in the opening Test of Farrell’s reign in 2020 and has since developed into a genuine world-class talent. He switches from number eight to openside flanker this weekend, a position from which he scored two tries during the Azzurri’s last visit to Dublin in August. With veteran flanker O’Mahony set to turn 38 before the 2027 World Cup, Doris’ temporary appointment is a major audition for the future.

Big Joe’s big impact

Head coach Farrell raised some eyebrows by selecting rookie lock Joe McCarthy ahead of James Ryan and Iain Henderson at Stade Velodrome. But the hulking 22-year-old more than justified that decision with a dominant display which saw him voted championship player of round one. McCarthy’s Six Nations debut suggests he will star in Ireland’s second row for many years to come. He will be partnered by recalled provincial team-mate Ryan on Sunday. The 27-year-old Leinster co-captain, who comes in for Tadhg Beirne, will no doubt be desperate to give a reminder of his talents, having gone from possible new Ireland skipper to fighting for a regular starting spot.

Azzurri blues to continue?

Italy impressed in a narrow 27-24 loss against England in Rome last weekend. But they have never won on Irish soil during the Six Nations era. Their sole victory over Ireland in 24 championship matches was a 22-15 Stadio Olimpico success in 2013. Mercurial full-back Ange Capuozzo is back from illness to strengthen the visitors. Yet new head coach Gonzalo Quesada has lost influential back-row forwards Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone due to injury. Ireland are overwhelming favourites to register a 17th consecutive home win, dating back to 2021. It will be some story if Italy somehow defy the odds.

A glimpse into the future

In addition to Doris taking on the captaincy and the eye-catching emergence of McCarthy, Farrell has selected 24-year-old Munster half-backs Jack Crowley and Craig Casey to start together for just the second time. Fly-half Crowley appears to be the long-term replacement for the retired Sexton and overcame a few nervy kicks in France to produce an encouraging performance. Casey has usurped Conor Murray at provincial level and will now be eager to kick on and challenge first-choice scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park on the international stage.