MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Ireland captain Caelan Doris and prop Tadhg Furlong both return to Leinster’s starting line-up for Friday night’s United Rugby Championship grand final against the Pretoria Bulls in Dublin. 

The defending champions will be without international front-rower Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan is only on the bench. James Lowe will make his 101st and last ever appearance in the final after spending nine years with the province.

MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE: Winger Selwyn Cobbo scored a second-half hat-trick as Queensland came from 12-8 down to brush aside New South Wales 44-24 and level the State of Origin series at 1-1. 

Played in front of an all-time record crowd of 91,671 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Queensland completed 39 of their 42 sets and half-back Sam Watson was named player of the match. The decider will take place in Brisbane in three weeks’ time.

MEN’S CRICKET: Australia are one-up on Bangladesh before Friday’s second leg of their three-match Twenty20 series in Chattogram. 

The Aussies sealed a four-wicket win with 10 balls to spare in Wednesday’s opening game. Chasing Bangladesh’s below-par 131 all-out Cooper Connolly smashed a quickfire 47 to set up a comfortable victory. 

Australia are ranked as the world’s third best short-format team, five places above Bangladesh.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: A full set of League of Ireland fixtures kick off tomorrow evening. 

Out-of-form table-toppers Shamrock Rovers, who have lost three of their last five games, are at bottom club Waterford while second-placed St Patrick’s host struggling Sligo. 

Shelbourne are at Drogheda, Bohemians take on Dundalk and Derry visit Galway United.