Saturday sport: Expectations high as Ireland kick off Rugby World Cup campaign

Ireland kick off their World Cup campaign in the sweltering heat of Bordeaux this afternoon.

Johnny Sexton returns to action to captain a strong side for their battle with Pool B minnows Romania.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm this afternoon.

The first game of the afternoon is back in Pool A, with Italy just kicking off against Namibia in Saint-Etienne.

Pool C begins with the meeting of Australia and Georgia from 5pm.

There is an 8pm start in Marseille, where England face Argentina in Pool D.

Rory McIlroy is in a tie for 11th on day three of the Irish Open at the K Club.

The world number 2 has moved to six shots off the lead on seven-under par, with Jordan Smith and Shubhankar Sharma leading the way on 13-under.

Shane Lowry is still the best of the Irish – he tees off from eight-under just after 12pm.

Coco Gauff is looking to win her first ever Grand Slam singles title tonight.

The home favourite and sixth seed takes on the new world number-one Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.

Play at Flushing Meadows is due to get underway at 9pm Irish time.

Four more medals are up for grabs for Irish crews at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade today.

Steven McGowan and Katie O’Brien go in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls Final around 12pm.

Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh are in the Women’s Pair final.

In the Men’s Pair, Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney are on the water just before 1pm.

Just after 1pm, Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy will look to retain their world title in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls.

The Irish Champions Festival gets underway at Leopardstown today.

The Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes is the feature on an eight-race card which gets underway at 1.45pm.