WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: The new domestic season tips off on Saturday evening as EuroCup champions London Lions start the defence of the Betty Codona Trophy with a Group D match against non-Super League wildcard entrants Endeavour Ipswich. This weekend’s other Trophy fixtures see ex-London centre and GB international Maya Price making her debut for the Caledonia Gladiators against Newcastle and St Albans-based Oaklands Wolves hosting Leicester.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Botafogo beat Sao Paulo 5-4 on penalties after their all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores quarter final second leg had ended 1-1, to set up a last four clash Uruguay’s Penarol. The Uruguayans edged out Flamengo 1-0 on aggregate to reach the semi finals. Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro, 2-1 aggregate winners over holders Fluminense, will meet Argentina’s River Plate in the other semi final after squeezing past Chile’s Colo Colo by the same score.

WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION: Wales begin their WXV 2 campaign on Saturday morning when they face Australia in South Africa before defending champions Scotland take on Italy later in the day. England start the defence of their WXV 1 title against newly promoted USA in Vancouver on Sunday before Ireland, who have jumped up two levels for this year’s tournament, face six-time World Cup winners New Zealand. Hosts Canada play France in their first game.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: The Scottish Cup first round continues on Saturday with several ex-league clubs in action. Unbeaten Highland League table-toppers Brechin face Newtongrange Star, Rutherglen Glencairn are at Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers host Cupar Hearts. Clydebank play Girvan, Albion Rovers, who were relegated into the Lowland League in 2023, meet Auchinleck Talbot and East Stirlingshire are up against Dundee’s Lochee United.