Saturday Sport: Connacht host Ulster, World Darts Championships continue

Rugby

Connacht and Ulster will both hope to end 2024 on a positive note this evening.

The two sides meet for a sold-out interpro clash at Dexcom Stadium from 7:35.

Caolin Blade and Jack Carty form a new-look half-back partnership for the hosts with Santiago Cordero starting on the wing at the expense of Shane Jennings.

Ulster boss Richie Murphy has handed a first start to his son Jack at out-half, as his side look to end a run of five straight defeats.

Edel McMahon, Sadhbh McGrath and Alana McInerney all come into the Clovers side for their Celtic Challenge clash with the Wolfhounds this afternoon.

That all-Irish encounter at the UCD Bowl is just getting underway.

Darts

Fermanagh's Brendan Dolan looks to book a place in the last-16 at the PDC World Darts Championship this evening.

He'll take on three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen at the Alexandra Palace.

Antrim's Josh Rock also has a third-round encounter against Chris Dobey.

The afternoon session is underway in North London.

Ryan Joyce just outlasted Ryan Searle 4-3 to book his passage to the last 16.

Ricardo Pietreczko downed last year's semi-finalist Scott Williams 4-1.

Right now 12th seed Nathan Aspinall is one set up against Andrew Gilding.

Racing

Galopin Des Champs eased to victory in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The Willie Mullins' mount lead from pillar to post to leave stablemate Fact To File in second and Gentlemansgame for Mouse Morris in third.

2022 winner Home By The Lee justified the favourites tag to take the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle.

There's also racing in Limerick today with the latest, the D Pack Packaging Handicap Hurdle won by Beggars Rock for trainer Declan Queally.

Earlier, the Grade One Faugheen Novice Chase went the way of the Willie Mullins trained Impaire et Passe