England fly-half Fin Smith returns from concussion as Northampton Saints make six changes to face Bath in Friday’s Champions Cup quarter-final at the Rec.
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell is named among the replacements after recovering from a hamstring injury that curtailed his Six Nations campaign.
Archie McParland starts in the number nine jersey alongside the returning playmaker, while Rory Hutchinson joins Fraser Dingwall in midfield.
Furbank leads reshuffled Saints side
Full-back George Furbank, whose end-of-season departure to Harlequins was announced on Wednesday, will captain the visitors.
The forward pack sees Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona selected in the front row.
Open-side flanker Tom Pearson is also drafted in to complete a new-look back row alongside Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock.
Bath opt for power on the bench
The hosts have also rotated their starting XV heavily, with England pair Sam Underhill and Miles Reid joining Guy Pepper in the back row.
Head coach Johann van Graan has named a formidable six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench, bringing significant power in reserve through players like Alfie Barbeary and Thomas du Toit.
In the backline, Cameron Redpath replaces Max Ojomoh at centre, while Henry Arundell shifts to the right wing to accommodate Will Muir.
Recent history favours the visitors
The Premiership’s top two sides come into this knockout fixture following high-scoring victories in the previous round.
Phil Dowson’s men secured a thrilling 49-41 triumph over Castres last week, while the Somerset outfit overcame domestic rivals Saracens 31-22.
The East Midlands club triumphed 41-21 when these heavyweights last met in December, heavily aided by a Tommy Freeman hat-trick.
“We took quite a bit of learning a few months ago when we played Northampton here,” said Bath head coach Johann van Graan.
“It’s a completely different game and psychological remit, but we’ll try to replicate the things that went well that day,” added Saints boss Phil Dowson.
The victors of this tie will face either cup holders Bordeaux or six-time champions Toulouse in next month’s semi-finals.
Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach on a five-year contract, tasking the Italian with saving the club from Premier League relegation with just seven games remaining.
The North London side currently sit 17th in the table, a precarious single point above the drop zone.
De Zerbi replaces interim manager Igor Tudor, who failed to halt a catastrophic domestic slide.
In a significant statement of intent, the former Brighton boss has signed a deal containing no relegation release clause.
A monumental rescue mission
The task facing the 45-year-old is monumental following a disastrous campaign that recently saw the club eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.
Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange have orchestrated this high-stakes move, gambling everything on an immediate managerial bounce.
Successive failed appointments, including Thomas Frank and Tudor, have left a confidence-shot squad desperately needing a unifying figure.
“I have a big responsibility,” the incoming head coach acknowledged upon his arrival.
Pragmatism over philosophy
Despite earning widespread acclaim for his expansive tactical style, the newly appointed tactician insists he is prepared to be pragmatic to ensure survival.
Following his departure from the South Coast in May 2024, he has actively rejected the label of being a football purist allergic to defensive solidity.
He has already moved to reassure supporters and players alike about his long-term dedication to the troubled project.
“I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what,” he declared to the squad.
With the reigning Europa League holders facing the genuine threat of second-tier football, these upcoming seven matches will definitively shape the modern history of the club.
Brazil seamer Laura Cardoso has become the first player in history to take nine wickets in a Twenty20 international during a remarkable victory over Lesotho.
The 21-year-old recorded astonishing figures of nine wickets for just four runs in three overs at the Kalahari Women’s tournament in Gaborone.
Chasing a formidable target of 203, the African nation were completely dismantled and bowled out for a mere 13 runs in 6.2 overs.
Unprecedented international bowling figures
The history-making spell surpasses the previous overall T20 record held by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey, who claimed eight wickets against Myanmar in a men’s fixture in 2025.
In women’s cricket, the South American bowler eclipsed the benchmark set by Indonesia’s Rohmalia Rohmalia, who took seven wickets without conceding a run against Mongolia in 2024.
The fast bowler initiated her devastating run of dismissals by claiming five wickets in five consecutive deliveries across her first two overs.
Denied a perfect ten-wicket haul
She left her opposition reeling at eight for five before picking up another two wickets to complete a second consecutive maiden over.
Two further dismissals followed in her third over as the national side closed in on a comprehensive triumph.
However, the prospect of a perfect ten-wicket haul eluded the Brazilian starlet when teammate Marianne Artur secured the final breakthrough.
Artur had Lindiwe Polaki stumped to conclude the match, sealing a dominant result that keeps the squad unbeaten after five games in Botswana.
Arsenal and Manchester City face a pivotal sequence of televised Premier League fixtures over the coming month as broadcaster demands dictate which title contender plays first.
The current title race resumes this weekend with momentum heavily contested between the two elite clubs.
The north Londoners currently hold a significant nine-point cushion at the summit, though their nearest challengers retain crucial winning form.
The current league leaders are pursuing their first domestic crown since 2004, having topped the division for the majority of the campaign.
However, Pep Guardiola has never gone two successive years without lifting the trophy during his decorated managerial career.
Psychological advantage of kicking off first
Intense viewer demand to broadcast the championship battle means both contenders have been assigned regular television slots.
This scheduling forces one side to complete their fixture before the other, potentially creating a psychological advantage for the team that kicks off first.
The unwanted pressure of responding to a rival’s result falls firmly on the reigning champions this weekend.
Guardiola’s men travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
By the time that match begins, the Manchester outfit could find themselves 12 points adrift if the pacesetters defeat Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime.
Crucial Etihad showdown looms
The upcoming television schedule appears to relieve some immediate pressure on the Gunners.
They are currently slated to play after their nearest rivals on just one occasion between now and the crucial final weeks of the season.
A defining moment in the campaign arrives next weekend when the top two finally collide at the Etihad Stadium.
The capital club have historically struggled on the blue side of Manchester, and suffered a defeat to their title rivals in domestic cup competition just last month.
FA Cup commitments complicate league dates
Following the top-of-the-table clash, knockout tournament commitments will further disrupt the fixture list.
The Citizens head to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, requiring their league encounter with Burnley to be brought forward.
If the current table-toppers drop points against Bournemouth and lose the Manchester showdown, the defending champions could draw level by beating the Clarets.
As the race enters its final stages, the broadcast schedule gives the current league leaders a strategic opportunity to set the pace.
They will host Fulham on a Saturday evening, forcing their title rivals to wait a full 48 hours before travelling to Everton on Monday night.
Chelsea secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool following a dramatic late winner from Estevao in a chaotic Premier League encounter.
Enzo Maresca’s side went into the weekend struggling for domestic form but emerged with a deserved three points.
The hard-fought result was achieved after more than 90 minutes of frantic, end-to-end action in west London.
It inflicts further misery on the visitors, who have now suffered three consecutive defeats across all competitions.
Estevao seals chaotic contest
The highly-rated Brazilian teenager proved to be the ultimate difference-maker for the hosts.
He struck deep into stoppage time to settle a match that had seemingly been heading for a tense stalemate.
Prior to his decisive intervention, both teams had desperately sought a momentum-shifting win to kickstart their respective campaigns.
The Blues had faced mounting pressure following a string of underwhelming performances.
Mounting problems for the Reds
Conversely, the Merseyside club arrived in the capital hoping to arrest a deeply concerning recent slump.
Instead, their defensive frailties were exposed once again during the breathless closing stages.
Maresca will now hope this vital victory acts as a springboard to revitalise their season.
Holly Aitchison will start at fly-half as England face Ireland in their Women’s Six Nations opener at Twickenham, marking the team’s first match since winning the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
John Mitchell’s side return to the scene of their September triumph in front of an expected crowd of over 75,000 at Allianz Stadium.
Uncapped 19-year-old Loughborough Lightning forward Haineala Lutui is named on the bench and could make her international debut.
Rowland and Jones form new midfield partnership
Versatile back Helena Rowland lines up alongside new captain Meg Jones in the centre following an injury to Tatyana Heard.
On the wing, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald replaces the retired Abby Dow and is set to face her wife, Irish hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald.
A major opportunity awaits 22-year-old Lilli Ives Campion in the second row.
The highly-rated lock steps in for pregnant trio Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan.
Mitchell looks to build on World Cup legacy
The head coach has largely stuck with his world-conquering squad, though selecting Aitchison over Zoe Harrison hints at a desire for greater attacking expansion.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to be returning to Allianz Stadium in front of our fans for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup final.
John Mitchell
The players relish, and absolutely deserve, the opportunity to perform in front of record crowds, but they also understand the responsibility that comes with that stage.
John Mitchell
Hooker Connie Powell returns to the matchday squad among the replacements, having missed out on selection for last year’s global tournament.
Veteran flanker Marlie Packer is omitted from the matchday 23 entirely.
Perry set to face former teammates
For the visitors, flanker Erin King returns from injury to captain a relatively settled lineup named by head coach Scott Bemand.
Dannah O’Brien retains the number 10 shirt as the away side look to cause an upset in London.
Prop Ellena Perry will make her first tournament appearance for the girls in green after previously winning 11 caps for the Red Roses prior to switching allegiance.
Eilis Cahill is also among the potential debutants on the bench for the visiting team.
Hearts will look to maintain their slender one-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership when they host Motherwell this weekend, with Rangers and Celtic remaining in close pursuit.
Derek McInnes’ side face a crucial test at Tynecastle Park on Saturday against a team they have failed to beat in two previous league meetings this season.
The Jambos recently dropped points away to Livingston, increasing the pressure ahead of their six remaining domestic fixtures.
However, the current pacesetters will take confidence from a resolute defensive record, having won their last four home matches by a 1-0 scoreline.
Motherwell arrive in the capital still chasing European qualification, despite managing just one point from their last four outings.
Rangers aim to close the gap
Rangers travel to Falkirk on Sunday seeking a vital victory to maintain their relentless push for the title.
Danny Röhl’s men boast an impressive 14-match unbeaten run in the league but have been frustrated by back-to-back draws against the Bairns this term.
The hosts are also enjoying a strong run of form, having secured three wins from their last five matches across all competitions.
A dramatic 3-2 away victory over Motherwell last weekend proved that Falkirk can pose a serious threat to the title challengers.
Celtic seek fifth consecutive crown
Defending champions Celtic sit a further two points behind Rangers but remain firmly entrenched in the championship picture.
The Hoops looked to be drifting out of contention following a damaging 2-0 defeat to Dundee United before the recent international break.
However, a crucial winning goal from Kelechi Iheanacho against Dundee last weekend reignited their drive for a fifth successive league triumph.
The Glasgow giants now welcome St Mirren to Celtic Park, a venue where the visitors have managed just one victory in their last 39 attempts.
Relegation dogfight intensifies
At the other end of the table, the battle to avoid the dreaded relegation play-off spot is reaching a critical stage.
Just five points separate the teams sitting between eighth and 11th place ahead of the crucial post-season split.
Livingston appear almost certain to suffer an immediate return to the Championship, leaving Dundee, St Mirren, Aberdeen, and Kilmarnock to fight for their top-flight survival.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus could face season-ending surgery after suffering a significant injury setback ahead of the crucial weekend clash against Sunderland.
The versatile attacker was nearing a return to first-team action before sustaining this latest physical blow.
According to Football London, the Ghanaian international has been categorically ruled out of the upcoming fixture.
There are now genuine fears that the dynamic playmaker will not feature again during the current campaign.
De Zerbi faces severe survival test
Newly appointed manager Roberto De Zerbi is currently preparing to begin his tenure in charge of the struggling north London outfit.
Spurs find themselves in a desperate fight for Premier League survival with just seven games remaining to avoid the drop.
The Italian tactician desperately needs a fully fit squad to successfully steer the club away from the relegation zone.
Mounting fitness crisis compounds misery
Persistent physical issues have heavily clouded the entire season for the Lilywhites.
Losing a player of such high calibre represents a massive depletion of creative options at the worst possible time.
Medical staff will now assess the midfield star to determine if an operation is immediately required.