Rugby Union: Ulster wing Craig Gilroy has retained his place in the starting XV for Ireland’s opening Six Nations match against Wales on Saturday in a side that shows four changes from the team that defeated Argentina in November. After an impressive try-scoring debut against Argentina, the 21-year-old was named in Declan Kidney’s team yesterday with fellow winger Simon Zebo picking up his fourth cap in Cardiff. Number eight Jamie Heaslip was previously announced as the new skipper.

Basket, NBA: Brooklyn Nets used a dominant fourth-quarter display to power away from the struggling Orlando Magic for a 97-77 victory on Monday. Deron Williams had 20 points and nine assists, Brook Lopez added 16 and the Nets (27-18) gave P.J. Carlesimo a welcome victory after suffering consecutive defeats for the first time since he took over from the fired Avery Johnson last month. “We played two bad games. We know we didn’t play the way we’re capable of playing,” Brooklyn reserve Keith Bogans said. “So we wanted to come back and try to not make the mistakes we made in Memphis and Houston.”

Cricket: New Zealand’s cricket board will continue to support Jesse Ryder during his rehabilitation from personal issues after the burly batsman ruled himself out of playing against England in the upcoming series. Ryder, who stood down from national duties last year after breaking a self-imposed alcohol ban, had been in solid form for Wellington in New Zealand’s domestic competitions but has opted to continue his exile. New Zealand host England in three Twenty20 matches next month.

Golf: Tiger Woods (picture) withstood a late bogey, double-bogey, par and bogey wobble in strengthening winds to end a week of dominant golf by clinching his 75th PGA Tour title by four shots at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego on Monday. Six strokes in front overnight at 17 under with 11 holes to play in the fog-delayed final round, Woods kept his closest challengers at bay as he signed off with a level-par 72 at Torrey Pines. Defending champion Brandt Snedeker dropped one shot in the five holes he had to complete on Monday, carding a 69 to tie for second with fellow American Josh Teater.

Motor racing: Italian Davide Valsecchi, last year’s GP2 champion, moved a step closer to Formula One when he was named as third driver for the Lotus team. “I hope that this is a really good start to a career in F1,” said the 26-year-old. “I very much hope, step by step, to get into Formula One as a race driver and being here as a third driver is as near as you can get,” said Valsecchi, although how much track time he might get was unclear with Belgian Jerome D’Ambrosio remaining the official reserve driver.

American Football: The union that represents US professional football players has given Harvard University a $100 million grant for a study of the range of health problems, from brain damage to heart conditions, that affect current and former players. The aim is to develop strategies to limit the long-term damage that players suffer from years of hits on the field. The recent suicides of a spate of former NFL players, including 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau, have raised concerns about the toll that hits to the head take on the brains of current and former players.