Ireland

Ireland's coach Declan Kidney has announced that his team will remain the same following their victory at Murrayfield as they line up to face Wales this Saturday.

The game at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff is a must win for both sides if they are to retain a realistic chance of staying in the running for the Six Nations title.

Eion Reddan retain his place in the team despite the return of O'Leary from injury, while David Wallace will gain his 70th cap for his country.

The Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowan has dissolved Parliament and announced that a General Election will be held on February 25.

Cowan, who has been Taoiseach since 2008, will not be running for re-election to the Dail and has stood down as leader of his Fianna Fail party.

He has agreed to stand down as Prime Minister after a series of political setbacks stemming from Ireland's financial crisis and last year's €85billion bailout from the EU and IMF.

Greece, Spain and Ireland are still among the worst affected by the world’s economic recession, which started over a year ago.

Greece’s manufacturing sector is weakening, unemployment in Spain has reached 19 per cent and Ireland is now facing a €1bn bill to pay for university students.

Greece

A survey earlier this week revealed that Greece’s financial crisis will last longer and deeper than had previously been predicted.

Irish hooker Jerry Flannery has received a six week ban for kicking France’s Alexis Palisson in last Saturday’s match.

The ban means the Munster player will miss the rest of the Six Nations tournament.

Flannery received the ban after attending an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Wednesday.

During Saturday’s match, referee Wayne Barnes only awarded a penalty following the incident. Touch judge Stuart Terheege believed the challenge to be a shoulder charge, allowing the hooker to escape a red card.

The UK will be taking part in its biggest annual reading book day tomorrow.

Every year thousands of events are organised in schools, bookshops, libraries and other venues to celebrate World Book Day. The main aim is to encourage people to explore the pleasure of books.

Publishers, booksellers and interested parties work together across the country to promote books and reading for the personal enrichment and enjoyment of all.