I Dig Sports
Winger Darcy Graham returns to the Scotland side having missed the match with England with concussion and replaces Glasgow Warriors' Kyle Rowe, who drops to the bench.
Prop Rory Sutherland has recovered from the back spasm that forced him out before kick-off against England to take his place amongst the replacements. Centre Huw Jones came off with a tight Achilles at Twickenham but is also fit.
Scotland: 15-Kinghorn; 14-Graham, 13-Jones, 12-Jordan, 11-Van der Merwe; 10- Russell (co-capt), 9-White; 1-Schoeman, 2-Cherry, 3-Z. Fagerson, 4-Gray; 5-Gilchrist, 6-Ritchie, 7-Darge (co-capt), 8-Dempsey.
Replacements: 16-Ashman, 17-Sutherland, 18-Hurd, 19-Brown, 20-M Fagerson, 21-Horne, 22-McDowall, 23-Rowe
England aim to thrill on their own terms against Italy
Victory in comfort and a bonus point in some style should be the aim.
Against an opponent they have beaten in all 31 of their previous meetings, England are strong enough to take the possibility of an upset out of the visitors' hands.
An awkward bounce, a refereeing call, a moment of Azzurri genius - the hosts should have amassed enough points to insulate themselves against all such eventualities by the business end of the match.
The outcome certain, the bonus point secure; boring, but in a better way.
England have benched their most exciting player in pursuit of this goal.
Marcus Smith's name registers the highest decibels when England's team is announced before kick-off. If you ask any young fan who they are looking forward to seeing, invariably it is the Harlequins playmaker.
His nose for a gap, jagging step and instinctive unpredictability were England's surest sources of tries throughout the autumn.
His faked drop-goal and blind-side dart produced the first against South Africa. His poked kick in behind Australia's defence set up the opening score against the Wallabies. His interception and canter upfield put them ahead in the second half against New Zealand.
Each time though, they were pyrotechnics in losing efforts.
In search of more sustainable scoring, England have brought in some pre-heated cohesion, installing Fin Smith at fly-half and, after a year out the side, Fraser Dingwall at inside centre.
They are two of five Northampton players in the backline.
Had George Furbank been fit, Saints would surely be only one slot away from a full house.
"I watched the relationship between 9,10 and 12 in training this week and have an understanding with each other that doesn't take any communication," said head coach Steve Borthwick this week.
"They seem to know what each other is going to do."
Ireland, of course, faced - and toppled - a 'Bomb Squad' before in their World Cup pool-stage win over South Africa in 2023.
Here, Irish interim boss Simon Easterby has reverted to a six-two split for the first time since last year's loss to England.
In that game, Ireland lost starting wing Calvin Nash and his replacement Ciaran Frawley to failed head injury assessments, leaving influential scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park on the wing for the last 30 minutes.
Against France, Easterby has picked Conor Murray and Jack Crowley as the backline replacements and Jamie Osborne - a left-footed full-back - on the right wing in Mack Hansen's absence.
Again, it is a gamble: Osborne has never played there, but his versatility - he can also cover 15, 12 and 11 - has convinced Easterby that this is the best path to victory.
Osborne will come up against France's jet-heeled winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who already has five tries in this year's tournament. Bielle-Biarrey is faster than Osborne, but the Irish coaches must feel the Leinster player can win the aerial battle.
James Lowe v Penaud on the opposite wing should prove equally fascinating.
Penaud is one try off equalling Serge Blanco's French record of 38 tries. He will be fired up after being dropped against Italy, but Lowe is enjoying a fine tournament, leading Ireland in try assists (four), line-breaks (eight), metres carried (299.5) and metres gained (199.5).
Brown, Beckman, Anderson & Herrera Lead The Way In Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. Reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown started his 2025 with the provisional No. 1 qualifier position at Gainesville Raceway, taking the top spot on Friday at the 56th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the first of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Selections were also made for the opening round of the big-money Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout bonus race, which takes place on Saturday. Top seed Steve Torrence selected Tony Stewart as his opening-round opponent, while Doug Kalitta picked Clay Millican for his first-round matchup. Shawn Langdon and defending world champion Brown will face off, while the final first-round pair features Justin Ashley and Brittany Force.
Brown went 3.685-seconds at 334.24 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Matco Tools dragster during the second session, starting the year strong after earning his fourth world championship in 2024. If Fridays run under the lights holds, the 80-time event winner would pick up his 51st career No. 1 qualifier.
We werent trying to go out there and kill it, but we knew the track could hold anywhere in the mid-60 range, and we just wanted to be in the top half the field, Brown said. Lo and behold, it ran really strong out the back door. It was smooth all the way down, it just went straight as an arrow and I got to the finish line.
Tripp Tatum also went 3.685 at a slower 326.58 to take the second spot and Langdon is third after going 3.690 at 335.23.
Funny Car
Funny Cars Jack Beckman was the quickest in both sessions on Friday, slipping past Bob Tasca III under the lights with a stellar run of 3.832 at 334.65 in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS. Named the full-time driver for John Force during the 2025 campaign, Beckman picked up where he left off last year, following his NHRA Finals victory with a pair of terrific runs on Friday.
When the season ended last year, I wasnt sure if Id be back. I thought Id get the nod but I wasnt sure, Beckman said. There is a part of me that expected to see someone run 3.81 but Im happy with a 3.83. We were low of both sessions in completely different conditions.
I cant put into words how awesome it is to be strapped into John Forces Funny Car and have John walk by and give you a thumbs up before they fire up. I am unbelievably lucky.
Tasca was also strong on Friday, going 3.833 at 333.82 and Capps 3.857 at 335.73 puts him third after the first day of qualifying.
Pro Stock
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson made NHRA history in an unbelievable performance on Friday under the lights at Gainesville Raceway, going 6.443 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to set the Pro Stock world record. Its the quickest pass in Pro Stock history and made for a surreal moment for the reigning world champion.
He ended the 2024 season with a winner-take-all pass to get the championship in Pomona and then started the first day of qualifying at the Gatornationals with a historic performance, putting Anderson in line for his 133rd No. 1 qualifier. This one will be remembered for a while, as the six-time champ set a new gold standard in the category.
This is beyond cool and thats because I didnt expect it, Anderson said. I watched my team cars with Deric Kramer and Eric Latino run 6.46 ahead of me and I started to think maybe we could run 6.45, but I surpassed them both.
It feels good to be back. I live for runs like this and I love Gainesville. I came here with my dad when I was 10-12 years old, and Ive loved this place ever since. Coming to Gainesville this the first race of the year and you always wonder how you stack up. So far its been successful.
Deric Kramer took the second spot after a career-best run of 6.463 at 212.23 and Dallas Glenn is right behind after going 6.466 at 212.56.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Gaige Herreras domination at Gainesville Raceway continued on Friday, as the back-to-back world champion took over the top spot during the second session on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki with a run of 6.670 at 202.97. Herrera has rolled to Gatornationals wins at the last two events at the legendary facility and appears poised to try and make it three in a row.
Herrera hasnt let up after two straight championships, continuing to post one standout run after another. If it holds, it would be Herreras 24th No. 1 qualifier since the start of the 2023 campaign.
I have a lot of fun racing in Gainesville. I got my first win here two years ago in my debut with the Vance & Hines team and Ive got a lot of great memories here, Herrera said. Before that run, Andrew [Hines, crew chief] said This is all weve got. I hope it sticks. It did and we made a nice run.
I think youll see me and Matt [Smith] go back and forth all season and it wont just be us. You can see that Angie [Smith] was close and Richard [Gadson] was close. Weve got a lot of good bikes out here and that includes some new guys.
Matt Smith is currently second with a pass of 6.679 at 203.49 and Angie Smith is third after going 6.709 at 201.01.
Qualifying continues at 12: 15 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. Opening day for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season began on Friday as two qualifying sessions were the focal point of on-track action.
After two rounds, Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) lead the way.
Fan Turnout
Theres a reason the annual Gatornationals is a crown jewel event on the NHRA schedule every season.
Fans arrived early as traffic was already backed up to get through the gates of Gainesville Raceway by 8:30 a.m. Once unloading began in the pits, attempting to maneuver through the nitro area was near impossible at times.
Perhaps the most eye-opening aspect was how jam-packed the stands were from the time qualifying began at 2:00 p.m. until the final pass well into the dark of night.
Despite lulls in the action due to on-track incidents, the fans remained.
Anderson Keeps Making History
Fresh off his dramatic championship in Pro Stock last season, KB Titan Racings Greg Anderson laid down the quickest pass in Pro Stock history with a 6.443 ET at 212.06 mph.
Optimal conditions under the lights allowed for the record-breaking pass as Anderson continues to show no signs of slowing down.
John Force Racing Still Fast
John Force Racing, the powerhouse of NHRA, continued its tear on Friday. With the team knocking on the door of 300 Funny Car wins, Jack Beckman struck first with a pass of 3.832 ET at 334.65 mph.
Prock would arguably be right with Beckman had he not suffered a rear end failure during Q1 and other issues in the following session. The defending champion sits 15th out of 18 entries.
In Top Fuel, Brittany Force clocked in the sixth-fastest run. She may have a say by the end of Saturday, however, after clocking in the fastest one-eighth-mile speed in drag racing history during testing on Wednesday (302.69 mph).
Even with an offseason where improvements from every team is expected, JFR continues to hold down the top spot until proven otherwise on Sunday in eliminations.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Cam Fowler grew from a raw teenager into a mature family man during his 14 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.
The fans who watched him for all those years made sure Fowler knew he was coming home when he returned Friday night with the St. Louis Blues.
Fowler got nothing but love when he laced up his skates in Anaheim for the first time since the Ducks traded the longest-serving and highest-scoring defenseman in franchise history to the Blues less than three months ago. During a night filled with tributes and hugs, he also recorded two assists in St. Louis' 4-3 victory, bolstering his new club's playoff hopes with a win over a rival for the West's wild-card spots.
"It was incredible," Fowler said. "I just tried to take a seat on the bench and soak it all in. I'm just grateful. I put my heart and soul into my career here, and the support from the fans and the team along the way means a lot to me, so I'm thankful to everyone in the organization for making it a nice welcome home for me."
During a pregame meeting with dozens of front office workers and Ducks personnel, owners Henry and Susan Samueli presented Fowler with a painting of the defenseman memorializing his lengthy career in Anaheim. Fowler also got to see retired ex-captain Ryan Getzlaf, who attended the game to support his longtime teammate.
"Getzy is a true dear friend of mine, so for him to take the time to come in and support me meant the world to me," Fowler said. "And then I can't say enough good things about Henry and Susan and the whole organization just making me feel welcomed and special in my return."
Fowler was in the Blues' starting lineup, and the Ducks aired a tribute video to Fowler during a stoppage in the first period. He acknowledged the standing ovation with a wave of his arm, and he skated out from the Blues' bench to more cheers.
"A lot of emotion, obviously," Fowler said. "Just wanted to make sure I embraced everything, just took it all in as best I could. But I appreciate the support everyone gave me, and we had a big two points for our team, too. So I tried to focus on that as much as I could once the emotion kind of settled down."
Fowler insists he feels no bitterness or disappointment about the way his 14 seasons in Orange County ended last December, although he acknowledged beforehand that it wouldn't be a normal game for him.
Fowler had been a mainstay on the Ducks' blue line since 2010, when the team selected him with the 12th pick in a draft held in Southern California. Fowler immediately won an NHL job as an 18-year-old rookie, and he remained a dependable two-way contributor for the next decade and a half.
Though he made just one All-Star team for Anaheim and never became a leaguewide star, he steadily rose to become the most prolific defenseman in Ducks history. He also played a key role while Anaheim won five consecutive Pacific Division championships from 2013 to 2017 and reached two Western Conference finals.
Fowler is the Ducks' leader among defensemen in goals (96), assists (361) and games played (991).
The breakup happened after Fowler managed just four assists in Anaheim's first 17 games this season. Fowler and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek say they came to a mutual agreement that a fresh start would be best for Fowler, who still has another season left on the eight-year, $52 million deal he signed with Anaheim in 2017.
The Ducks traded Fowler and a fourth-round pick in 2027 for a second-round pick in 2027 and minor league defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka.
Fowler's production has increased for the Blues. He has seven goals and 14 assists in 34 games while playing more than 22 minutes per night.
Fowler rejects the idea he was motivated by the trade.
"I've had people ask me if it reinvigorated my career or my passion for the game," Fowler said. "I've always been passionate about the game, and I've always been energized to play the game, but sometimes you get to a certain point in your career as a player, and just for both sides it might make sense to find a situation that works better."
Fowler's departure opened playing time on the Ducks' blue line, and the most prominent beneficiary of an increased role has been Jackson LaCombe. The former second-round pick is enjoying a breakout season, leading Anaheim's defensemen with 11 goals and 23 assists.
"Cam is a great person," Anaheim coach Greg Cronin said. "He's been a great Duck for a long time. I was happy for him. Happy for his family. Obviously, it was a huge game for both teams, but it's always good to see Cam."
Aubrey Kingsbury made a crucial save in a shootout and the Washington Spirit beat the Orlando Pride 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Friday night to win the National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup.
Kingsbury stopped Ally Lemos' attempt before Tara McKeown converted the Spirit's fourth penalty kick.
It was revenge of sorts for the Spirit, who finished as runners-up to the Pride in the 2024 standings and lost to Orlando in last November's championship game. It was the Spirit's second-ever trophy after the 2021 NWSL Championship.
Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
The Spirit made it 1-1 on a direct free kick by Leicy Santos from 30 yards out in the 72nd minute.
Rafaelle scored in the first half for Orlando. The Brazilian, who was making her first appearance for the Pride since July 2024, finished off a rebound from a free kick by Marta with her left foot just before halftime.
The NWSL opens its regular season next week.
Dixon, Kellaway fifties, Scott four-for sets up thrilling final day chase
South Australia 283 and 47 for 1 (Hunt 31*, McSweeney 13*) need 253 more runs to beat Victoria 285 and 297 (Kellaway 77, Dixon 76, Scott 4-49)
Kellaway fought hard to make his second half-century of the match but Dixon's impressive innings in the afternoon ensured Victoria had a decent total to defend as they look to keep alive their hopes of making the Sheffield Shield final.
Where Kellaway showed hard graft for the second straight innings, Dixon showcased a stunning display of counterattacking batting following a collapse where Victoria lost 5 for 20. There were shades of Travis Head in the 19-year-old left-hander as he pummeled six fours and five sixes. Anything wide and overpitched was laced through cover while length balls sailed onto the hill forward of square.
Kellaway had batted through a difficult period on the second evening and the entire first session on the third day as the Junction Oval surface continued to offer plenty for the bowlers. He was fortunate to survive on 31 when the edged Brendan Doggett behind but Harry Nielsen spilled the chance diving his left.
Marcus Harris was not as fortunate. Harris chopped on trying to a leave a length ball that reared a touch off Doggett for a hard fought 19. Blake Macdonald was much more fluent, striking four boundaries, but he fell trying to drop-kick Scott over midwicket and instead skied a catch to mid-on.
Kellaway and Peter Handscomb appeared to settle in after lunch and looked set to build a hefty total for Victoria. But just as they did in the first innings, the home side suffered a huge middle-order collapse with Scott and Thornton doing the damage.
Kellaway had copped a barrage of short balls and his strokeplay had become a little frantic before he edged to slip trying to drive Scott on the up. Thornton then hurried Handscomb with a short ball and his attempted pull was skied straight up to Nielsen.
Thornton found Sam Harper's outside edge with another delivery that climbed before he rattled the top of Sam Elliott's off stump with a terrific ball that angled in and straightened. Scott got one to snake through Xavier Crone's gate at the other end to also clean bowl him.
Dixon watched all of this carnage unfold having walked in after Kellaway had fallen. He was completely unflappable thumping a handful of superb cover drives whenever the bowlers overpitched.
He found a superb ally in Fergus O'Neill who made a busy 34, rotating the strike and frustrating South Australia with his slightly unorthodox method. The pair put on 80 for the eighth wicket.
When O'Neill fell, Dixon let loose. With men stationed everywhere on the rope he thumped five sixes over the leg side including two in a row off Doggett, one of which sailed out of the ground over square leg. He finally miscued one on 76, hitting Scott straight up to hand the allrounder his fourth wicket.
Hunt enjoyed some fortune at the other end nicking a couple of balls short of slip. He also survived a very close lbw shout off Elliott. McSweeney, too, nicked Boland short of slip but thereafter both players settled and played positively whilst defending and leaving well.
Alex Malcolm is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo
Queensland on brink of victory despite Webster's runs
Queensland 425 for 9 dec and 26 for 1 need 56 more runs to beat Tasmania 161 and 345 (Weatherald 71, Webster 64*, Ward 52, Silk 50, Steketee 3-87)
Queensland are on the verge of a crucial Sheffield Shield win after their bowlers quelled Tasmania's fightback on day three at Bellerive.
All seven batters at the top of the Tasmania order made starts in their second innings, but no one could replicate the day one century from Queensland and Test opener Usman Khawaja that set the tone for the game.
Instead, Queensland reached 26 for 1 at stumps in their second innings on Saturday, needing another 56 to win. Barring a miracle Tasmanian bowling performance, the visitors will wrap up the match before lunch on Sunday.
Queensland started the second-last Shield round in second-last place, but their likely win will keep them in contention for the final.
Neser made the first breakthrough, trapping Weatherald lbw after he had hit nine fours and a six in his 81-ball innings.
After Ben McDermott's great catch off the legspin of Mitch Swepson dismissed Ward, Doran and Silk put on 74 for the fourth wicket to give Tasmania some hope that they could put themselves back in the game.
Jack Wildermuth then had Doran caught behind and, crucially, Mark Steketee trapped Silk lbw in the next over to put the brakes on the fightback.
Webster rallied the tailenders to ensure Queensland would bat again, but the wickets fell steadily - including a brutal yorker from Neser that bowled Kieran Elliott.
Steketee was the pick of the attack, taking 3 for 87 from 23 overs as Xavier Bartlett and Swepson claimed two wickets apiece.
Riley Meredith had Matt Renshaw caught behind for 11 to start Queensland's second innings but Khawaja and Jack Clayton will aim to wrap up the match on Sunday.
UND's Eaglestaff drops Summit-record 51 in upset
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Treysen Eaglestaff scored a Summit League-record 51 points -- also the most in Division I this season -- to power North Dakota to an 85-69 victory over South Dakota State on Friday night in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Geno Crandall set the previous conference record while playing for the Fighting Hawks, scoring 41 in a victory over Troy during the 2017 regular season.
Eaglestaff's 51 points are the most by a Division I player in any game since Houston Christian's Darius Lee scored 52 in a four-overtime win against McNeese on March 5, 2022. It's the most points in a non-overtime game against a Division I opponent since Marquette's Markus Howard scored 54 against USC on Nov. 29, 2019.
Eaglestaff became the third Division I player to score 50 points in a conference tournament game in the past 30 years. He scored 40 points in a loss to Alabama on Dec. 18, making him the only Division I player with multiple 40-point games this season.
Eaglestaff shot 15-for-28 from the floor, including 8-for-18 from 3-point range, and 13-of-17 from the free throw line. He scored 28 points in the second half.
His 50-point game was the fourth in North Dakota history, with two of the others belonging to NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson (Feb. 24, 1967, 50; March 11, 1967, 52).
The third-seeded Jackrabbits (20-12) were led by Oscar Cluff with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Kalen Garry added 12 points and seven rebounds. Matthew Mors totaled 10 points and seven rebounds.
No. 6 seed North Dakota (12-20) advances to play second-seeded St. Thomas-Minnesota in Saturday's semifinals.
The Tommies are in Year 4 of a four-year transition to Division I that renders them ineligible for the NCAA tournament. If St. Thomas wins win the Summit crown, the conference's automatic NCAA tournament bid will be awarded to regular-season champion Omaha, even if the Mavericks lose in Saturday's semifinal against South Dakota.
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
