Keely Hodgkinson headlines a 29-strong Great Britain team aiming for gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland later this month.

The Olympic champion arrives in Torun in formidable form, having smashed the women’s indoor 800m world record just four weeks ago.

While the 24-year-old is the clear favourite for the 800m title, she may also feature in the 4x400m relay squad after clocking a personal best of 51.49 seconds over the distance earlier in March.

The championships take place from 20 to 22 March, with comprehensive live coverage across the BBC.

Kerr and Asher-Smith targeting titles

Josh Kerr returns to the indoor circuit to contest the 3,000m, attempting to regain the crown he claimed in Glasgow two years ago.

The 2023 world outdoor champion adds significant experience to a team looking to build momentum ahead of the summer season.

In the sprints, Jeremiah Azu looks to defend his men’s 60m title.

British record holder Dina Asher-Smith makes her first appearance at this level since 2016, joining world 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt in the women’s 60m.

Middle distance strength in depth

Georgia Hunter Bell steps up to the 1500m alongside 2024 world indoor silver medallist Jemma Reekie.

Hunter Bell’s bronze from the previous championships is set to be upgraded following a doping ban for runner-up Diribe Welteji.

In the field events, pole vaulter Molly Caudery targets a return to the global podium following her victory in 2024.

Ben Pattison will also look to make an impact in the men’s 800m following his breakout world medal in 2023.

Selection caveats and absentees

The final composition of the British team remains fluid, with 15 athletes selected subject to their world ranking positions being confirmed by 11 March.

However, reigning world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning is a notable absentee.

The quarter-miler has opted to bypass the event to prioritize the upcoming outdoor season, which includes both the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.

Great Britain squad

Men

Women

*Selected subject to securing the required world ranking position

The Colorado Avalanche have bolstered their forward options by acquiring centre Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for two draft picks.

Toronto will receive a conditional first-round selection in 2027 and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2026.

Should the first-round choice fall within the top 10 of the 2027 draft, Colorado will instead send an unprotected 2028 first-round pick to the Leafs.

The Canadian club will also receive the lowest of the Avalanche’s three fifth-round selections in 2026.

Short stay in Toronto

Roy arrived in Toronto only last June from the Vegas Golden Knights as the key component of the deal involving Mitch Marner.

The 29-year-old pivot has recorded five goals and 20 points across 59 appearances for the Leafs during the current campaign.

His departure comes as the asking price for the sturdy skater reflects a slow market for high-profile forwards.

Play-off depth versus rebuilding

Colorado, who have been among the league’s elite throughout the season, identified the need for a third-line centre to support Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson.

The acquisition brings a physical presence capable of assuming a defensive shutdown role with reliable puck movement.

Conversely, the move signals a strategic shift for Toronto as they look to accumulate future assets.

The Leafs sit seventh in the Atlantic Division and have struggled for consistency, having lost their fifth consecutive game on Wednesday.

The NHL trade deadline passes at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET) on Friday.

Cricket fans are invited to select their Men’s T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament as the competition reaches its climax with Sunday’s final.

The best of the best

After 54 matches of high-octane action, only New Zealand and India remain in the hunt for the trophy.

Before the Black Caps and the Men in Blue meet in the showpiece event, BBC Sport wants to know who makes your standout XI from the last few weeks of cricket.

While individual brilliance often grabs the headlines, building a balanced side requires careful selection across openers, middle-order batters, and bowlers.

Explosive starts at the top

The battle for the opening spots is fierce, with power-hitting being the theme of the tournament.

New Zealand’s Finn Allen has been destructive at the top of the order, boasting a frightening strike-rate of 203.52 across his seven innings.

He is joined in the conversation by India’s Sanju Samson, who has struck at 201.73 and averages a massive 77.33.

Pakistan may have made an early exit, but Sahibzada Farhan left his mark with a tournament average of 76.60.

Other strong contenders include South Africa captain Aiden Markram and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett, who have both been consistent performers for their respective nations.

Middle-order muscle and all-rounders

The engine room of the side features a mix of pure ball-strikers and versatile options who contribute with both bat and ball.

England’s Will Jacks offers a dual threat, averaging 56.50 with the bat while claiming nine wickets with his off-spin.

Another standout is Kiwi sensation Rachin Ravindra, whose 11 wickets have been crucial for the finalists, alongside a respectable economy rate of 6.88.

West Indies powerhouse Sherfane Rutherford has proved elusive to dismiss, averaging 61.00 with a strike-rate approaching 180.

Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza also presents a compelling case, offering experience and all-round stability with 206 runs and five wickets.

How to finalize your XI

Voters are asked to select two openers and five players to fill the middle-order and all-rounder slots.

While there is no specific category for wicketkeepers, fans must ensure a gloveman is included within their batting choices to create a functional team.

The most-voted players will be collated into the definitive Team of the Tournament.

The final XI will be revealed during BBC Sport’s live text coverage of Sunday’s final between New Zealand and India.

Nottingham Forest’s global head of football Edu Gaspar has been instructed to stay away from the club’s facilities as he nears an exit from the City Ground.

The Brazilian administrator has reportedly been told not to attend the stadium or the training ground, according to The Telegraph.

His expected departure comes amidst a tumultuous campaign for the club, which has seen drastic changes in personnel both in the dugout and the boardroom.

A season of upheaval at Forest

It has been a chaotic season for the East Midlands side, who are currently working under their fourth manager of the campaign.

Nuno Espirito Santo began the term in charge but was dismissed after just a few games to be replaced by Ange Postecoglou.

The tenure of the former Tottenham boss proved short-lived, with Sean Dyche subsequently appointed in an attempt to steer the team away from the relegation zone.

Dyche was relieved of his duties in February, leaving Vitor Pereira as the latest incumbent in the hot seat.

Edu set for imminent departure

Amidst the managerial turnover, the position of the club’s transfer chief appears to have become untenable.

Reports suggest that the decision to ban the former Arsenal midfielder from the premises signals the end of his tenure as global head of football.

The specific reasons behind the breakdown in the relationship have not yet been confirmed by the club.

The upcoming Professional Women’s Hockey League game between the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden has sold out and is expected to set a new attendance record in the United States.

Organisers expect the crowd on 4 April to surpass the previous benchmark for a professional women’s hockey match in the country.

The current record stands at 17,335, set on 27 February when the Torrent hosted the Toronto Sceptres at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

With a capacity of 18,006 for hockey, the sell-out at the famous Manhattan venue ensures that figure will be eclipsed.

Olympic success drives demand

A spokesperson for the league stated the surge in ticket sales was fuelled by fans “riding the wave of the Winter Olympics”.

Interest in the sport has spiked following the United States’ dramatic overtime victory against Canada in the gold medal game in Milan.

New York’s roster features Team Canada star Sarah Fillier, alongside forward Kristin O’Neill and goaltender Kayle Osborne.

The visiting expansion franchise boasts four players from the American national team, though they will be missing a key figure.

Seattle captain Hilary Knight remains on long-term injured reserve recovering from an MCL injury.

Despite her absence, visibility for the league has remained high, with Knight and fellow USA star Megan Keller recently making guest appearances on ‘Saturday Night Live’.

‘Defining moment’ for the sport

The fixture marks a significant milestone compared to the last time professional women’s hockey was played at the arena in February 2021.

On that occasion, a Dream Gap Tour event was held behind closed doors due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

New York currently sit fourth in the PWHL standings, while their opponents are bottom of the table, yet the demand for the fixture has been unprecedented.

“Selling out The World’s Most Famous Arena is a defining moment for the New York Sirens and a powerful statement about the growth of our league.”

Pascal Daoust, New York Sirens General Manager

The momentum is not isolated to New York, with the league confirming another major capacity crowd elsewhere.

The Boston Fleet’s match against the Montréal Victoire on 11 April at TD Garden – which holds over 17,800 fans – has also sold out.

“Playing in front of sold-out buildings at Madison Square Garden and TD Garden is a historic moment for our athletes — and our sport.”

Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations

Barcelona have emerged as the most dominant team in Europe since the turn of the year, eclipsing the consistency of Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the latest power rankings.

Hansi Flick’s side have surged to the top of the performance charts based on data analyzed from matches played since 5 January.

The Catalan giants have recorded an adjusted goal differential significantly higher than their continental rivals across their last 13 fixtures.

Flick’s side surging in 2026

While the 2025-26 campaign has been largely defined by English and German dominance, the momentum has shifted to Spain in recent months.

Barcelona have secured 30 points from their last 13 outings, averaging 2.31 points per game.

This run includes six victories by a margin of three goals or more.

Remarkably, the La Liga leaders have achieved these results despite their forward line statistically underperforming in front of goal.

Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez have combined for just 11 goals from chances worth 19.3 expected goals (xG).

This suggests the team is creating an overwhelming number of high-quality chances, even if finishing has been profligate.

The data highlights a resilience within the squad, particularly following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Flick’s men responded to that setback by overturning the deficit in the return leg to maintain their pursuit of silverware.

Arsenal and Bayern set early standard

Although Barcelona are currently the hottest team on the continent, the broader season has been dictated by two other heavyweights.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich secured the top two points totals in the Champions League league phase.

Mikel Arteta’s side achieved a flawless campaign in Europe, taking a perfect 24 points from eight matches.

The Gunners remain in contention for domestic cup honours and continue to set the pace in the Premier League.

Similarly, the German giants have led the Bundesliga virtually from the start of the season to the present.

Vincent Kompany’s side only dropped points in Europe against Arsenal, underlining the elite standard set by both clubs.

However, as the season approaches the crucial stretch run in March, the data suggests the gap at the top has closed.

Testing schedule awaits

Barcelona’s credentials will be severely tested in the coming weeks.

Upcoming fixtures include a Champions League double-header against Newcastle United and a difficult trip to Athletic Club.

They also face a domestic showdown with Sevilla before travelling to Atletico Madrid in early April.

Maintaining their status as Europe’s form side will require navigating this congested fixture list without a drop in performance levels.

Centre Juan Ignacio Brex has returned to the Italy starting line-up to face England in the Six Nations at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Midfield changes for the Azzurri

Brex had missed rounds two and three of the championship due to personal reasons but immediately reclaims his place in the side.

He reunites with Tommaso Menoncello to restore a familiar midfield partnership for the hosts.

There is a family connection at half-back as Alessandro Garbisi comes in to start alongside his brother Paolo.

In the back three, Lorenzo Pani steps in at full-back to replace the injured Ange Capuozzo.

Chasing historic win

Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has kept faith with the forward pack that featured against France a fortnight ago.

Fly-half Tommaso Allan is named as one of three backs on the replacements bench.

The Azzurri have never beaten England in 32 previous Test matches but arrive in Rome with renewed belief.

Quesada’s side have already secured a victory over Scotland and pushed Ireland close earlier in this campaign.

Line-ups

Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, A Garbisi; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Zambonin, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Fusco, Marin, Allan.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken has insisted Martin Odegaard’s knee injury is “nothing serious” despite the Arsenal captain missing the club’s last two matches.

The Gunners playmaker has been sidelined with a recurring issue originally sustained during a 1-1 draw against Brentford last month.

Although Odegaard returned briefly for the north London derby against Tottenham, he was subsequently absent for crucial Premier League victories over Chelsea and Brighton.

However, Solbakken has moved to allay fears regarding the midfielder’s long-term fitness.

Focus on summer recovery

Speaking to Scandinavian broadcaster Viaplay, the national team boss suggested the enforced rest could ultimately benefit the player.

“There is nothing serious about Martin. The most important thing is that he recovers completely and is good for us in the summer.”

Stale Solbakken, Norway Manager

With Norway preparing for the World Cup in North America, Solbakken is prioritizing his captain’s condition for the tournament.

“For those of us who care about the World Cup, it’s not a disaster that he’s getting some breaks now,” Solbakken added.

“He’s going to rebuild and be crucial for Arsenal in April-May and maybe late March.”

A fragmented campaign

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had remained coy regarding the 27-year-old’s status prior to the win at the Amex Stadium.

When quizzed on a potential return date for his skipper, the Spaniard simply remarked “we’ll see”.

It has been an injury-hit season for the Premier League leaders’ creative hub, despite him tallying 20 top-flight appearances so far.

Earlier in the campaign, shoulder issues forced him off during victories over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

He also suffered an MCL knee injury against West Ham in October, which sidelined him until a Champions League return against Bayern Munich in late November.

International ambitions

The north London club remain optimistic that Odegaard will play a key role in their pursuit of silverware across four competitions.

Simultaneously, Norway are relying on their leader to be fit for the summer finals.

Odegaard missed his nation’s final three qualifiers but travelled to support the squad as they defeated Italy to book their place at the tournament.

Norway are set to face France and Senegal in the group stages later this year.