Refereeing is one of the most contentious issues in all sports but rugby now has the chance to improve its officiating after Alain Roolland stepped down World Rugby's match officials manager, writes Gerry Thornley. "The game's governing body now has an opportunity to perhaps overhaul the structure around refereeing and address the declining standard of rugby officiating. This is one of the biggest worries in the game," he writes. Also in our rugby pages this morning, John O'Sullivan looks at how foreign fields now don't look as promising for Irish players as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic leads to less money and less opportunity.
On to soccer and Mikel Arteta hopes Arsenal can get a new deal signed with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as soon as possible as the striker's future remains unclear. Aubameyang's brace against Manchester City on Saturday guided Arsneal to the FA Cup final but the in-form striker's future is yet to be resolved. Last night Wolves remained in the European hunt by inflicting Crystal Palace's seventh straight defeat on them while Everton damaged the hopes of Sheffield United with a second half Richarlison winner.
In GAA, the smooth return to action has pleased the authorities with attendances successfully limited and match-day protocols followed. "The Government's being careful, understandably, but if we get to the August bank holiday and can show that the games have been well managed so far, you'd hope it can be looked at again," said Connacht's John Prenty. One player who is delighted to be back playing games is Dublin's Ciarán Kilkenny as he prepares for Castleknock's derby with Oliver St Plunketts this weekend.
On to our new House of Sport series and this morning Brian O'Connor writes about the sacred turf of Epsom and what makes it so special to the racing world.
Finally to golf and Jon Rahm's victory at the Memorial got him to world number one for the first ever time, realising a teenage dream along the way. Meanwhile, this week the European Tour gets back up and running with the British Masters at Close House – the same venue Paul Dunne won the title in 2017.
