Sport

SPORTS SHORTS

Rugby Union

Simon Zebo has been included in Ireland's 33-man squad for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations meeting with Italy at the Aviva Stadium.

The Munster wing earns a first call-up for this year's tournament - replacing knee-injury victim Felix Jones - after impressing on his return from injury, having scored four tries in his first three games back.

Ulster's Tommy Bowe (above) has not been included despite stepping up his return to fitness with two tries against Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday. Tommy O'Donnell and Isaac Boss have also been rested from the squad. Ireland squad against Italy: Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Robbie Diack (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster).

Backs: Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).

Snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan made a record 12th competitive 147 break to complete a 9-3 win over Ding Junhui in the Welsh Open final.

The Chigwell cueman led 7-1 after a one-sided opening session and, after Ding hit back with consecutive centuries, he pulled away again. O'Sullivan rounded the match off in the ultimate style with a maximum, playing to the crowd as he switched to his left hand to sink the final black.

A kick on the final blue threatened to derail the maximum but the five-time world champion potted a good pink and finished the job.

Asked when the 147 entered his thoughts, O'Sullivan said: "I think it was on about 48 when I went into reds, they split nicely and I looked at the scoreboard and saw it was all blacks. "I thought 'no, just get the match won', but on about 60 or 70 I thought 'I've got to go for it'."

Regarding the swift change of hands before the final ball, he added: "I've made 11 (maximums) right-handed... that counts as a left-handed 147 because if I missed that, it wouldn't have counted!"

Soccer

Blackburn defender Grant Hanley has joined Norwich winger Robert Snodgrass in withdrawing from the Scotland squad to face Poland on Wednesday.

The Scottish Football Association announced on Saturday that Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths would replace Snodgrass, whom Norwich have asked to be rested from international duty due to a recurring muscle problem.