WORLD CUP TICKETS ...
The second round of sales for next year’s Rugby World Cup opens on Monday with, understandably, priority being given to those who missed out from the 950,000 sold in September; 300,000 tickets are available for 25 games at nine venues (including Wales v Australia and Ireland v France), at rugbyworldcup.com/ticketing. Unsuccessful applicants have priority on Monday and Tuesday, partially successful applicants between Wednesday and Thursday, with the ballot reopening to all on Friday.
WINTER TENNIS ...
It will be a tall order for some of the tennis world’s top players to complain about burnout next season after most of them have signed up for the International Premier Tennis League competition (Sky Sports, from Friday until 13 December). There’s no doubt it’s a decent earner – the four teams each had £6.4m in their budget to spend on players such as Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. But come the start of next season it may be Rafael Nadal who is smiling: he has withdrawn for health reasons in a bid to be fully fit for the serious business in 2015.
SPORTS PERSONALITY ...
With two majors under his belt, having played a huge role in Europe retaining the Ryder Cup and winning the Race to Dubai, it has been a busy year for Rory McIlroy. Expect him to rush back from Dubai, then, and settle down to watch The One Show on Monday (BBC1, 7pm), where he will be a shoo-in to make the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist that will be announced on the programme. The gong show itself is on 14 December.
