Close bond between Smith and Murley can benefit England’s Six Nations tilt | Gerard Meagher

Harlequins duo are firm friends and can boost the cohesion of Steve Borthwick’s side against Ireland on Saturday

The buildup to a fixture between England and Ireland has not truly begun until someone mentions the C-word, so step forward Steve Borthwick to name his side for England’s daunting Six Nations opener in Dublin two days early and officially set the hare running.

It is getting a little tired now but the narrative goes that Ireland can boast a level of “cohesion” that is the envy of the world while England are a mishmash, thrown together from nine different clubs and trying desperately to get on the same page.

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Hailie Deegan puts NASCAR in rearview mirror as she fails to find funding for top Xfinity seat

Hailie Deegan has left NASCAR behind for open-wheel racing this season and it could be for good. Deegan doesn't want to race in the Truck Series anymore and because any opportunities to advance required cash she doesn't have, she's taken another route: Deegan will drive this year for HMD Motorsports in Indy NXT, which is IndyCar's top development series. No, she does not have any Indy experience.