RUGBY: London Irish coach Brian Smith has been promised significant funds to strengthen his squad next season after the takeover of the club by a consortium of businessmen in the English capital. Smith has already agreed a deal to sign Ulster prop Tom Court in the summer . . .

CRICKET: Trent Johnson has been appointed coach to the Ireland ladies team just days after retiring from the men’s side following their Intercontinental Cup final win over Afghanistan . . .

RUGBY: Prop Cian Healy is a doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations campaign after surgery on an ankle injury that will keep him out of action for the rest of the Heineken Cup pool games . . .

SWIMMING: Ireland’s Barry Murphy won a bronze medal in the 50 meter breaststroke at the European Short Course championships in Denmark on Saturday . . .

RACING: Willie Mullins broke his own record for the fastest century of winners by a trainer in an Irish jumps season with a treble at Fairyhouse on Saturday . . .

RUGBY: Anthony Foley and Neil Doak will take charge of the Irish Wolfhounds for their Six Nations campaign after Christmas . . .

RUGBY: Young Leinster prop Martin Moore is ready to commit his future to a long term contract with the Irish province . . .

RUGBY: Donnacha Ryan has signed a three-year contract extension with Munster.