Rugby Union: Joe Schmidt has backed Chris Henry to make a full recovery from his brain injury. Ulster flanker Henry suffered “a temporary blockage of a small blood vessel in his brain” on the morning of Ireland’s clash with South Africa on November 8. The 30-year-old is recuperating at home while still awaiting further tests to determine his exact situation. “I really feel for Chris: this time last year he got injured at this point and missed the two big southern hemisphere teams we played,” said Schmidt. “But I’d be quietly confident that Chris will come through the other side.”
Cricket: Captain Michael Clarke was not ready to play cricket at the moment due to a hamstring injury but it was hoped he could be available for the first test against India in two weeks, Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. Clarke has missed just one of Australia’s 39 tests since he assumed the captaincy in March 2011 despite a debilitating long-term back condition which contributes to his frequent hamstring injuries. The 33-year-old damaged the hamstring for the third time in 12 weeks in the first one-dayer against South Africa in Perth last Friday.
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Golf: Rory McIlroy (picture) rattled in six birdies in an opening round six-under 66 at the DP World Tour Championship yesterday, mounting a late surge to share a one-shot lead with Ireland’s Shane Lowry. World number one McIlroy started in blistering fashion. He sank a 12-foot birdie on the opening hole on the Earth course and picked up a shot on the second after a misjudged eagle attempt. A lip-out from 10 feet on the third halted his charge, but he shrugged that off with a sublime tee-shot on the 245-yard par three fourth as he made it four birdies in five holes. The four-times major winner then recorded nine successive pars before picking up shots on 15 and 16.
Basket, NBA: Charlotte Hornets forward Jeff Taylor was suspended 24 games without pay by the NBA after pleading guilty last month to domestic violence assault and malicious destruction of hotel property. Taylor had been on paid leave since the start of the NBA season, missing 11 games, and he will have to sit out the next 13 games. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the 25-year-old Taylor, in his third season in the league, will suffer a financial penalty equal to 24 games. During an argument at an East Lansing, Michigan, hotel room in September, Taylor pushed a woman into the hallway, where she fell to the ground and slammed her head on a door, the player said.