Pakistan head coach Misbah ul Haq has said he is prepared to drop spinners, despite their stellar contributions to the team's win in the first Test against South Africa, if the Rawalpindi pitch favours the fast bowlers. But at the same time, he said Pakistan were looking to prepare a drier surface than normal in Pindi, which would theoretically assist the slower bowlers more.

In the last five years, pacers have had significantly more joy in Rawalpindi. They have averaged 21.40, picking up 498 wickets at the venue in first-class cricket, with spinners responsible for just 72 wickets at 34.18 with a strike rate of 67.50. The recent record raises questions about whether Pakistan can afford to go in with the same spin-heavy strategy that masterminded their Karachi win, where Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah combined to take 14 of South Africa's 20 wickets.

This is a departure from the tactics Pakistan employed against Bangladesh in Pindi last year, where Yasir was the only frontline spinner alongside three quick bowlers. In Karachi, the weather was drier and the groundsmen kept the pitch covered to ensure it retained some moisture, but even so, 14 wickets fell on the first day. In Pindi, however, the cooler weather means groundstaff are exposing it to the sun to allow the moisture to evaporate.

"The weather and pitch is different from what we got in Karachi but we will take a call closer to the game," Misbah said after the first day of training session in Rawalpindi stadium. "We are open for change if needed and it's not compulsory to play a spinner just because he did well in Karachi. If it's quite evident that the surface isn't suiting a spinner, we are ready to bring in a fast bowler."

"We are trying to accrue maximum home advantage. Normally in first-class cricket here (in Rawalpindi), this pitch is much greener and in between games, there isn't much time for them to dry as moisture stays in. But recently the pitch got enough time with sunlight which is good and I am hoping to have it on a drier side just according to what we asked for."

Reflecting on the pressure he was under over the extra scrutiny from the PCB cricket committee, Misbah insisted he wasn't worried. "Whatever has been talked around me with what the PCB is thinking, I didn't care about it as the focus was always about how important this series is. My energy was on how to produce good results and how can we do well. So thinking about uncontrollable things is a waste of time and energy and builds pressure without doing any good.

"It was a much-needed win in Karachi and the best part was the fightback from a difficult situation, which was outstanding. Now, we are guarding against complacency. The conditions are likely to be different but we have to carry on with all the good things we did in the first Test and look out for the areas where we can improve. We know South Africa is a tough team and they will come hard with full preparation to square the series but we have to be ready and go full throttle to win the series."

Bangladesh's management is yet to decide on who will open with Tamim Iqbal against West Indies as one half of Bangladesh's opening batting continues to be a riddle. The toss-up this time is between Shadman Islam, who has been out for more than a year due to a wrist injury after playing six Tests, and Saif Hassan, the 22-year old who had played Bangladesh's last Test against Zimbabwe in February 2020.

But neither has nailed down the position with any conviction, nor has any of the other opener in the last five years. Tamim has had six different opening partners in the last six years, out of the eleven opening pairs during this period. It is in stark contrast with the rest of the batting order where most of the batsmen have been consistent fixtures.

Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said he will discuss the position with the selectors before they take a final decision, but he was certain about the middle-order, with the good news that Shakib Al Hasan is getting close to full fitness after a recent groin niggle.

"The batting order needs some discussions," Domingo said on Monday. "I have got an idea of who is going to bat at No 3, 4, 5 and 6. Obviously we need to have final discussions with the selectors later today, about the opening spot to go with Tamim. We have a few options. Saif played the last Test and before him, Shadman was the man in that position before he broke his finger.

"Shakib is an important player for us with his batting and bowling. He is a world-class allrounder who is very difficult to replace in any format. Preparations for him hasn't been easy after picking up a groin niggle in the last ODI. He has gone through his rehab. He is still not 100 per cent but he has a day or so, but we are pretty confident that he will be ready for the first Test. He has worked really hard on his rehab. He is not feeling too much discomfort, so we are confident that he will be ready to play."

Domingo, however, was slightly more clear about the sort of bowling attack he is about to choose, judging from the pitches that he has seen at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. "We have some exciting new fast bowlers coming through… but looking at the wickets in Chattogram, the pace bowlers don't seem to be too much of a threat. It is an unfortunate thing. It just seems to be the nature of the wicket. We have to make sure we play to our strengths.

"We are very committed to get some fast bowlers through the system. We have showed that in our one-day side where we are trying to develop our fast bowling stock. When we go away from home, they will be crucially important for us.

"But we also can't be stupid to pick out-and-out pace attacks when you are playing on wickets that don't offer them anything. It is also very difficult for bowlers to make debuts on these type of pitches. We will make a final decision on the make-up of the team, once we have seen the pitch one day before the Test," he said.

Among the pace bowlers, Domingo said that Mustafizur Rahman developing the inswinger to the right-hander gives him a headstart for Test match selection.

"I think I have said months ago that Mustafizur will struggle in Tests until he swings the ball back into the right-hander. He has worked really hard with our bowling coach to make sure he gets the shape more consistently. I am sure you can see from his white-ball performances that he has been able to do that. It is still not a 100 per cent consistent but there has been a big improvement in the way he is shaping the ball.

"He is an experienced and quality performer. He is a left-armer, which is a variety. He can also create some rough outside the right-hander's off-stump for our offspinners to come into the game. He is definitely an option going into this Test. I definitely see him as part of our Test team going forward, after the improvement we have seen in the last eight or nine months," said Domingo.

He, however, pointed out that taking the West Indies side lightly would be dangerous for Bangladesh. "I definitely think this will be a closely-contested event. West Indies have some quality cricketers in their side. If we take them lightly, it will be at our own peril. They have some wonderful cricketers in the side.

"(Kraigg) Brathwaite has been a consistent performer for them. Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach are world-class bowlers. We are by no means complacent. We know that they are a formidable side under any conditions. We will have to be on our A-game to compete and come out on the right side of the result against them," said Domingo.

The month of January ended in style in the NBA.

On Sunday, Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook each played hero in a wild, game-ending sequence that saw the Washington Wizards use an 8-0 run in the final 12 seconds to stun the Brooklyn Nets.

On Saturday night in Chicago, Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers pulled off a similar feat against the Chicago Bulls. Lillard hit back-to-back deep 3s in the final 8.9 seconds to add another chapter to the Dame Time legend.

Meanwhile, thanks to back-to-back losses last week by the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, the LA Clippers now boast the league's best record.

What does it all mean for the first NBA Power Rankings of February?

Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Eric Woodyard, Royce Young and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.

Previous rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

1. LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 16-5
Previous ranking: 2

The past week commenced with the Clippers embarking on a six-game swing with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George entering quarantine and Patrick Beverley (knee) out. While the Clippers had a seven-game winning streak snapped in Atlanta, they got Leonard and George back after missing just two games because of contact tracing. Now they've started a new streak. Tyronn Lue is pushing the right buttons, Reggie Jackson has stepped up for Beverley and the Clippers' chemistry is forming. Next up is a big test against the Nets. -- Youngmisuk

This week: @BKN, @CLE, BOS, SAC

2. Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 record: 15-6
Previous ranking: 1

L.A.'s audacious aspiration to not drop two games in a row all season came to an end with back-to-back losses in Philadelphia and Detroit, but the Lakers bounced back in Boston. It turns out having Anthony Davis in the lineup makes a difference. After Davis sat out the Pistons game with a bruised quad, he returned to wreak havoc on the Celtics, posting 27 points, 14 rebounds and 2 steals to help the defending champs get back on track. -- McMenamin

This week: @ATL, DEN, DET

3. Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 15-6
Previous ranking: 4

It took a 31-6 run to end the game Sunday night against the Pacers, but the 76ers finally have a win without Joel Embiid this season. More importantly, the Sixers have the Eastern Conference's best record. There's no team that has been as consistently solid as Philadelphia in the East this campaign. Questions will linger about what this squad will look like in the playoffs, but so far, things are looking good. -- Bontemps

This week: @CHA, POR, BKN

4. Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 15-5
Previous ranking: 3

The silver lining in Sunday's loss to the Nuggets, which snapped the Jazz's NBA-season-best 11-game winning streak, was Bojan Bogdanovic's 29-point performance. Bogdanovic, who got off to a slow start coming off surgery on his shooting wrist, has had his two best scoring performances of the campaign in the past two games. -- MacMahon

This week: DET, @ATL, @CHA, @IND

5. Denver Nuggets
2020-21 record: 12-8
Previous ranking: 8

The Nuggets are hitting their stride after a rough start. They've won six of their past seven and crushed the hottest team in the league, snapping the Jazz's 11-game winning streak on Sunday. Nikola Jokic, who matched a career high with 47 points against Utah, continues to build his MVP case with 20 straight double-doubles to start the season -- the second-longest streak in NBA history. -- Youngmisuk

This week: DET, @LAL, @SAC

6. Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 13-9
Previous ranking: 7

At least Steve Nash isn't pretending otherwise, saying this week of the Nets' defense: "We've got a long way to go." It would seem that you'd be fine when you're scoring 147 points in regulation with Kevin Durant sitting, then 146 against the Wizards with James Harden sitting. Yes, Brooklyn beat the Thunder 147-125. But an epic meltdown in the final 10 seconds against Washington resulted in a five-point lead slipping away, and Brooklyn somehow lost 149-146. StatMuse summed it best: Since the Harden trade, the Nets have a 122.6 offensive rating, which is the best in the league and would be the best all time. They also have a 119.9 defensive rating, which is the worst in the league and would be the worst of all time. -- Young

This week: LAC, TOR, @PHI

7. Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 11-8
Previous ranking: 5

Milwaukee topped Toronto to begin the week but lost back-to-back games at New Orleans and Charlotte. The Bucks are nowhere near panic mode, but through 19 games, Milwaukee is 11-8. Last season, the Bucks didn't reach eight losses until game No. 54. -- Woodyard

This week: POR, IND, @CLE, @CLE

8. Boston Celtics
2020-21 record: 10-8
Previous ranking: 6

The final 10 minutes of Boston's dramatic loss to the Lakers on Saturday night were overshadowed by fears over Marcus Smart's leg injury being a serious one. And while the Celtics will undoubtedly miss him on their five-game West Coast swing that starts Tuesday in San Francisco against the Warriors, the fact that the heart and soul of the team is going to be out only two to three weeks with a calf strain is the best outcome that could've been realistically hoped for. -- Bontemps

This week: @GSW, @SAC, @LAC, @PHX

9. Indiana Pacers
2020-21 record: 11-9
Previous ranking: 10

Domantas Sabonis continues to shine. He became the fifth player in NBA history with a 20-point triple-double on 90% shooting in Wednesday's win over the Hornets. Myles Turner, who is pushing through a fracture in his right hand, remains Indy's defensive anchor with six games of at least five blocks this season. -- Woodyard

This week: MEM, @MIL, NOP, UTA

10. Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 10-8
Previous ranking: 9

After falling in their first two games without Devin Booker, who was sidelined with a left hamstring injury, Phoenix bounced back with wins over Golden State and Dallas to finish off the week. The Suns' win on Saturday over the Mavericks featured a vintage Chris Paul performance. Paul registered 29 points and 12 assists and did most of his damage in the fourth quarter. He had 16 points and five assists in the final stanza alone; it was only the third time in Paul's career he has had at least 15 points and five assists in a fourth quarter, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The last time was Nov. 12, 2008, against the Lakers. -- Lopez

This week: @DAL, @NOP, DET, BOS

11. Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 record: 10-8
Previous ranking: 11

The unbelievable win on Saturday against the Bulls, with his pair of 3s in under nine seconds, was another chapter in the legend of Dame Time. But down multiple starters and key role players, it's what Lillard has to do to steady the Blazers through rocky waters. He has led them in scoring over the past eight games (averaging 34.0 points during that stretch); and with four tilts remaining on a grueling, six-game trip, expect more of the same. -- Young

This week: @MIL, @WAS, @PHI, @NYK

12. Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 record: 8-6
Previous ranking: 19

Memphis hasn't lost since Jan. 7, as the Grizzlies picked up where they left off after being parked by the league for a week and a half due to health and safety protocols, beating the Spurs on Saturday to extend their winning streak to six games. Ja Morant has his two highest assist totals in the past two games, dishing out 10 dimes on Jan. 18 against the Suns and 11 against the Spurs. -- MacMahon

This week: @SAS, @IND, HOU, @NOP

13. San Antonio Spurs
2020-21 record: 11-9
Previous ranking: 13

San Antonio had its first postponement of the season against New Orleans last Monday; but after all tests for players came back negative, it returned to action on Wednesday with a win over Boston. The Spurs welcomed Derrick White back to the rotation Friday night. White had only played in one game this season -- on New Year's Day -- because of two separate injuries to his toe. In his return against the Grizzlies, White led the Spurs with 18 points in just 22 minutes off the bench. -- Lopez

This week: MEM, MIN, @HOU

14. Golden State Warriors
2020-21 record: 11-9
Previous ranking: 15

Not much can be learned from the Warriors this week, although they did finish it 3-1. They beat the Timberwolves twice and the Pistons once, taking care of business against two of the weakest teams in the league. They also got blitzed by a Suns team that has been struggling to find its way. The good news for Steve Kerr is that rookie James Wiseman responded well after getting pulled from the starting lineup early in the week. Wiseman racked up a career-high 25 points in Wednesday's win over the Timberwolves. -- Friedell

This week: BOS, @DAL, @DAL

15. Atlanta Hawks
2020-21 record: 10-9
Previous ranking: 17

In a 116-100 win over the Wizards on Friday, Trae Young went for 41 points -- the 14th 40-point game of his career. Only Rick Barry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Shaquille O'Neal have had more 40-point games at age 22 or younger in NBA history, according to ESPN Stats & Information data. Young now has 403 3-pointers in his career. He did so in just 159 games, the fewest ever needed to reach 400 3s in NBA history. He beat Damian Lillard's mark by four games. -- Lopez

This week: LAL, DAL, UTA, TOR

16. Houston Rockets
2020-21 record: 9-9
Previous ranking: 23

The Rockets are 6-3 since the James Harden trade -- despite John Wall, Christian Wood and Victor Oladipo all missing games -- and have the NBA's second-best defensive rating (102.8) during that span. Wood continues to make a convincing case as an All-Star candidate; Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only other player this season averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 55% from the floor. -- MacMahon

This week: @OKC, @OKC, @MEM, SAS

17. Cleveland Cavaliers
2020-21 record: 9-11
Previous ranking: 14

It was a rough week for the Cavs, going 1-3 while giving up 46 points to LeBron James in his Cleveland homecoming and dropping games against the Knicks and Timberwolves -- two teams the Cavs have to beat consistently in order to stay in the playoff picture. They did earn a win against Detroit, thanks to another strong game from Collin Sexton -- 29 points on 10-for-14 shooting, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the guard who should garner All-Star consideration. -- McMenamin

This week: MIN, LAC, MIL, MIL

18. Charlotte Hornets
2020-21 record: 9-11
Previous ranking: 24

Saturday's win over Antetokounmpo and the Bucks salvaged a 2-2 week, as Gordon Hayward had another strong night with 27 points in 38 minutes. The Hornets haven't found much consistency, but Terry Rozier provided some nice offensive punch this week, averaging 21 points over three games. Rozier sprained his right ankle in Saturday's win, and he is questionable heading into Monday's matchup with the Heat. -- Friedell

This week: @MIA, PHI, UTA, WAS

19. New York Knicks
2020-21 record: 9-12
Previous ranking: 20

Watching rookie Immanuel Quickley continue to produce -- he had 25 points in 27 minutes against one of his idols, Lou Williams, on Sunday -- is a reminder that this season isn't about wins and losses in Gotham. And in terms of developing the team's young players and instilling a culture, the Knicks have to be happy with the first month of their season. -- Bontemps

This week: @CHI, @CHI, POR, MIA

20. Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 record: 8-12
Previous ranking: 12

The league's worst 3-point shooting team (32.8%) gets back its best shooter so far this season when power forward Maxi Kleber (47.1%) returns Monday after missing 11 games due to COVID-19. The Mavs, losers of eight of the past 10, need all the help they can get right now. Their current five-game skid includes four losses to teams missing their leading scorer; the Mavs are the first team since the Bulls in 2002 to have even three straight such losses. -- MacMahon

This week: PHO, @ATL, GSW, GSW

21. Toronto Raptors
2020-21 record: 8-12
Previous ranking: 16

Toronto continues to deal with a litany of injuries, and now OG Anunoby will be out with a calf strain. Still, the Raptors have won six of their past 10 and are slowly extricating themselves from the hole they dug at the start of the season. The question now: Is Toronto content to be a team that just makes the playoffs or could it sell to improve in the future? -- Bontemps

This week: @ORL, @BKN, @ATL

22. Miami Heat
2020-21 record: 7-12
Previous ranking: 18

Miami finally got back Jimmy Butler, and he put up 30 in Saturday's win over the Kings that snapped a five-game losing streak. The Heat still have a slew of injuries -- Goran Dragic (groin strain), Avery Bradley (knee contusion), Meyers Leonard (shoulder strain), Mo Harkless (thigh contusion) and Tyler Herro (health and safety protocols) -- to navigate through as they try to get their season back on track. -- Friedell

This week: CHA, WAS, WAS, @NYK

23. New Orleans Pelicans
2020-21 record: 7-11
Previous ranking: 27

Thanks to a postponement to start off the week, the Pelicans went 19 days between home games when they finally played back in New Orleans on Wednesday after two weeks on the road. They got things started on the right foot with a win over the Wizards and carried that momentum into Friday's big win over the Bucks, against whom the Pelicans tied a franchise record with 21 3-pointers. Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball each hit seven 3-pointers versus Milwaukee, making them the fifth starting backcourt to hit at least seven 3s in a game in NBA history, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. -- Lopez

This week: SAC, PHX, @IND, MEM

24. Oklahoma City Thunder
2020-21 record: 8-10
Previous ranking: 25

Among the oddities of the 2020-21 season: The Thunder, with historically one of the most fearsome home-court advantages in the league, are just 1-6 on their home floor this season. They're 7-4 on the road. Their most recent home game featured the return of Thunder past, with Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and James Harden all in the building as the Nets dropped 147 on OKC in a winning cause. -- Young

This week: HOU, HOU, MIN, MIN

25. Sacramento Kings
2020-21 record: 8-11
Previous ranking: 26

The biggest wild card for the Kings' future has to be Marvin Bagley III. His week featured a 16-point, 12-rebound showing in a win against Orlando, followed by just seven points and five boards in a win against Toronto as he was saddled by foul trouble, and capped by 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting in a one-point loss to Miami. If Bagley can hit consistently, Sacramento's chance of success in the West will spike. -- McMenamin

This week: @NOP, BOS, DEN, @LAC

26. Chicago Bulls
2020-21 record: 7-11
Previous ranking: 22

The Bulls were the latest to experience Dame Time. Chicago blew a late lead to fall 123-122 to Portland on Saturday behind Damian Lillard's buzzer-beating trey. Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen did put up a season-high 31 points, his most since 2019. -- Woodyard

This week: NYK, NYK, @ORL, @ORL

27. Washington Wizards
2020-21 record: 4-12
Previous ranking: 29

The Wizards pulled out their biggest win of the season on Sunday. With six players back from health and safety protocols, the Wizards stunned the Nets with eight points in the final eight seconds for just their fourth victory of the season. Washington was reeling from its COVID-19 outbreak, followed by four straight losses while playing with basically half a team. Bradley Beal, who continues his scoring assault, finally has help. Russell Westbrook had his signature game as a Wizard with 41 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists on Sunday. The Wizards hope this can turn their season around. -- Youngmisuk

This week: POR, @MIA, @MIA, @CHA

28. Orlando Magic
2020-21 record: 8-13
Previous ranking: 21

The Magic have lost 11 of 13 and continue to spiral after losing Markelle Fultz to a season-ending ACL injury a few weeks ago. A 1-3 week ended with some extra fireworks on Sunday, as Magic forward Aaron Gordon picked up a flagrant foul after delivering a hard foul to Raptors guard Kyle Lowry. Gordon has a long memory given that Lowry pulled his arm during a hard foul in the bubble last season, causing Gordon to miss the rest of the Magic's time during the restart. The Magic and Raptors square off again on Tuesday. -- Friedell

This week: TOR, CHI, CHI

29. Minnesota Timberwolves
2020-21 record: 5-14
Previous ranking: 28

Anthony Edwards has struggled with his efficiency this season -- not unusual for rookies -- but there are signs he is turning a corner. He scored 25 points against the Warriors (featuring a 5 for 8 performance from 3) and 23 against the Cavs on Sunday (on 9-for-15 shooting). He has scored in double figures over five straight games and leads all rookies in scoring. It's been a tough season for the Wolves in a number of ways, but if Edwards can show positive developmental signs, the game plan for Minnesota might work out in the end. -- Young

This week: @CLE, @SAS, @OKC, @OKC

30. Detroit Pistons
2020-21 record: 5-15
Previous ranking: 30

After falling to the Warriors on Saturday, the Pistons have lost 15 of their first 20 games for the sixth time in team history. Detroit is only team in the NBA not to win consecutive games this season. -- Woodyard

This week: @DEN, @UTA, @PHX, @LAL

A previously slow offseason has now picked up in large part to the trade market, so we're taking a look at the top MLB prospects who have moved in trades this winter.

Two teams, the Tampa Bay Rays with six players and Pittsburgh Pirates with nine, make up well over half of our 25-prospect list.

Tampa Bay is perpetually flipping more established, higher-paid players for prospects that are accruing value, with an efficiency that's been the envy of the league. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh in a full tear-down fire sale where they're mostly targeting quantity and quality from the lower minors, usually with a good bit of variance/upside while trading any player with an established big league track record.

Here are our the top 25 prospects who have changed teams this winter along with their future value (FV) on our 20-80 scale. Note that the Nolan Arenado trade is not included because no prospects included have been made official yet.

A Six Nations without fans was once an implausible concept.

Hard-fought wins may not be rewarded by roaring crowds, but with a British and Irish Lions tour due to begin in five months - coronavirus permitting - the home nations still have plenty to play for.

If the past year has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected so who knows what the world will be like come the end of the tournament in March?

But here is a look at the title contenders, players to watch and the situation with fans as the championship gets set to begin on Saturday.

Who will win the 2021 Six Nations?

England won the protracted 2020 tournament in part thanks to a losing bonus point earned in Paris on the opening weekend - a fact that drew some criticism at the time.

This time around Eddie Jones' side - Autumn Nations Cup champions in December - are favourites to win the tournament again, with a France team packed with youthful star power their main rivals.

England's fourth-round match at home to France on 13 March could be the pick of the games - part of a tough run for Les Bleus which also includes a tricky trip to Dublin in round two.

The 2020 champions are perhaps the worst hit by Covid. Head coach Jones missed the start of England's training camp along with two other coaches because he was self-isolating.

Assistant coach Jason Ryles was expected to join the squad but in January decided it was not a good time to relocate to England from Australia.

Jones has also been restricted to a 28-man squad to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

France coach Fabien Galthie may have a wealth of players to choose from but he will have to make do without injured fly-half Romain Ntamack, who impressed alongside scrum-half Antoine Dupont in last year's tournament.

But as Les Bleus proved when they were forced to play the Autumn Nations Cup final without many of their regular starters, there are many young players waiting in the wings ready to step up.

Can returning Russell inspire Scotland?

Racing 92 star Finn Russell's autumn return to the Scotland set-up following exile for breaching team protocol was shortlived after he sustained an injury at the end of October.

But the fly-half, who many fans hope will start for the Lions, is fit again and has been named in Gregor Townsend's 35-man squad.

Scotland enjoyed mixed results at the end of last year, winning their final Six Nations game before finishing fourth in the Autumn Nations Cup, but Russell's return offers hope for 2021.

Ireland beat Townsend's side to finish third in the autumn tournament, giving head coach Andy Farrell a satisfying end to the year after lacklustre displays against England and Georgia.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has said his side has what it takes to win the Six Nations, despite losing four games and finishing fifth in 2020.

The New Zealander has won three out of 10 competitive games since he took charge in late 2019 and has turned to more experienced players like flanker Dan Lydiate in an attempt to get out of the rut.

Once again, Italy will have a battle on their hands to win a game and a possible final appearance for legendary number eight Sergio Parisse could be the most exciting part of their campaign.

Could fans return before the end of the tournament?

The championship will begin in empty stadiums with all countries under some form of coronavirus restrictions.

Scottish Rugby said in January access to matches at Murrayfield against Ireland and Italy - on 14 and 20 March - was "under current review", with Scotland's first two games against England and Wales behind closed doors.

Two thousand England fans were allowed to return to Twickenham for the side's final Autumn Nations Cup game under tier two coronavirus restrictions, but it is unclear whether the country will return to a similar tier system following lockdown.

Wales are yet to play in front of fans since the pandemic began as the Welsh government did not follow England in allowing supporters back in certain tiers.

Supporters were not allowed at Ireland's last home game in December and fans in Dublin continue to seem an unlikely prospect after the country returned to a full lockdown at the end of 2020.

The French government decreed that its clubs should not play in European Cup competitions in January but it is hoped strict travel quarantine rules will not affect the Six Nations, with exemption applications for sides playing in France pending.

Either way welcoming fans back to games may not be high on the agenda, while Italian sport has not seen crowds since October.

Who are the ones to watch?

Scotland's latest recruit Cameron Redpath represented England Under-20s and has previously been called up by Eddie Jones without winning a full cap.

Former British and Irish Lions wing Ugo Monye described the 21-year-old Bath centre as "the real deal" and expressed disappointment that Redpath - son of former Scotland captain Bryan - would not be pulling on an England jersey this spring.

Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams may not be counted as a young gun at 26 with 20 caps to his name but he could be a dark horse for the nine jersey on the upcoming Lions tour.

Conor Murray and Ben Youngs are also in the running but there does seem to be a slight opening at scrum-half that Williams could take advantage of if he can see off competition from compatriot Gareth Davies.

When France were without several key players in the autumn, sevens wing Gabin Villiere was one of those who stepped in.

He impressed with scything runs and expect more of the same if Galthie gives him his chance again.

Wasps back Paolo Odogwu has already elicited praise from Eddie Jones before even earning an international cap.

The England head coach said Odogwu has an instinct "you can't coach". That has been evident in the Premiership this season, where he leads the league in clean breaks.

New Zealand-born Ireland wing James Lowe left fans wanting more after an impressive debut against Wales in the Autumn Nations Cup.

The 28-year-old was rewarded with his first international try and he will be looking to add to that tally in the coming weeks.

Italy head coach Franco Smith's team has an average age of just 24 and sitting at the lower end of the scale is 20-year-old fly-half Paolo Garbisi.

Last year, Garbisi went from playing for club Petrarca in the Italian league to earning a first start for his country and he is expected to continue on that steep trajectory in 2021.

Will it be entertaining?

Questioning the entertainment value of a Six Nations may seem strange, but there were complaints about the style of play used in the Autumn Nations Cup.

While there were occasional wonder tries - like Jonny May's effort against Ireland - some games saw few offloads and excessive use of a repetitive kicking game.

A sudden-death thriller between England and France did bring the autumn tournament to an exciting end and more of the same would be a welcome distraction over the next two months.

As we approach the mid-point in the four-year World Cup cycle, fans will be hoping coaches use this Six Nations as a chance to experiment with new styles of play.

A Lions tour looming may well entice a bit more flair out of home nations players, meaning they light up stadiums with or without fans.

All members of the India and England Test squads have returned negative Covid-19 tests and have been cleared to exit their bio-secure bubbles to take part in training in the lead up to the first Test, starting in Chennai on February 5, even as the BCCI mulls the possible entry of spectators for the second Test, also scheduled to be held in Chennai.

It is understood that the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has approached the BCCI to allow fans - at 50% of the ground's capacity - during the second Test, starting February 13. It is also understood that media personnel would be allowed at the MA Chidambaram Stadium should the BCCI approve of crowd presence. Neither spectators nor media personnel were allowed at the seven venues where India's only domestic tournament so far this season - the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy - was held.

If spectators are indeed allowed, it would signal a change in course for both the BCCI and the TNCA, who had recently informed its members that the MA Chidambaram Stadium would not allow crowds for the two Tests. Although the Indian government has ruled that spectators can be allowed at 50% capacity for outdoor sports, the decision was said to be taken so as "not to take any kind of risk with the safety of the players".

"For outdoor events, spectators will be allowed upto a maximum of 50% of the total capacity of the stadium," the Indian ministry of youth affairs and sports had said on December 26 in a note, which was part of the "standard operating procedures and guidelines for conducting sporting competition in India in the Covid-19 environment".

Nothing official has been communicated on the subject yet. "We are not going to comment on speculation. We are still waiting to hear from the BCCI in terms of their protocols for the forthcoming Test series," a representative of the England touring party said.

The two teams have been in mandatory six-day quarantines after arriving in Chennai and are set to begin training at the end of that period. While England will train, as per schedule, from Tuesday afternoon, India will begin their preparations on Monday evening. A team statement on Monday confirmed: "The Indian Cricket Team completed their quarantine period today in Chennai. Three RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 were conducted at regular intervals and all tests have returned negative results. The team will have their first outdoor session today from 5:00 PM and nets sessions will begin from tomorrow."

England international Tom Banton has heaped praise on West Indies counterpart Nicholas Pooran, describing the left-hander as "the best in the world" when it comes to clearing the ropes in short form cricket.

Banton was speaking after Pooran smashed a pulsating 89 from just 26 balls at the Abu Dhabi T10 League on Sunday - an innings that included 12 sixes. Pooran - captaining the Northern Warriors - has now scored 162 runs from just 56 balls across his three T10 appearances so far this season.

Qalandars opener Banton believes the left-hander is now getting the recognition he deserves and plans to chat with Pooran about his approach to the game.

"He's different level that guy," Banton told ESPNcricinfo mid-lunch from his hotel room balcony. "Anyone that bowls to him, he'll get hold of. I reckon he's the best in the world at the minute at [hitting sixes].

"We're actually playing them in a few days' time [if both teams meet in the final stages] so I'm going to try and talk to him and actually see what he does. He probably doesn't do anything different to anyone else, he's just a lot better than everyone else."

That conversation will be facilitated by a friend of the pair, Chris Jordan, and it will be a fascinating one between two edge-of-the-seat young cricketers that are yet to transfer their domestic and franchise T20 form onto the international stage.

With a 20-over World Cup on the horizon later in the year - one that both players have the potential to heavily influence - Banton is looking forward to tapping into Pooran's knowledge in person, having watched with admiration from afar.

Asked what he will be looking to gleam from Pooran, Banton said: "Just how he sets up really. Look, these West Indian guys are so powerful and obviously they can miss hit sixes whereas I kind of have to either get it out the middle or be playing on a small boundary.

"I've watched a few videos of him and I watched him yesterday (Sunday) and just the way he has a simple trigger and he's got such a beautiful bat swing. I don't think he over complicates things, he's just very good. He has a lot of confidence maybe and just backs himself to clear the ropes."

Banton sits fifth on the list for most runs going into the Super League phase of the competition after scores of 45, 30 and 36 that have helped Qalandars to the only perfect record in the tournament.

The 22-year-old says there is more to come, too, having had to get to grips with Zayed Cricket Stadium's slow, placid wicket. While Pooran has adapted seamlessly, Banton points to his 20-ball 36 on day four as an example of how he hasn't quite hit his straps just yet, despite an encouraging start to the league.

"The guys are taking off the pace and it's a lot harder to get hold of. I couldn't really get going last night, which is a bit of a shame. The wicket means it's not going to bounce on to the middle of your bat so you're going to have to wait for the ball.

"When there's so much cricket being played on them, it's so hard for the groundsmen to keep preparing wickets that are going to be true."

Northamptonshire have removed the military connections from their Steelbacks crest in one-day cricket as part of the club's plan to attract a younger, more diverse set of fans.

In the early 1990s, counties chose nicknames for their one-day teams, with the majority opting for alliterative names like Essex Eagles and Sussex Sharks, but some went down a different route. Among them was Northamptonshire, who became the Steelbacks in honour of the nickname of the 48th and 59th Regiments of Foot of the British Army (later the Northamptonshire Regiment). While continuing to wear the club's rose crest in four-day cricket, they have had various different one-day badges, which have featured artwork of a soldier for the past decade.

Following various consultations and focus groups over the winter, the club's marketing department decided that the military connections were unlikely to help them engage with the local community, and have instead re-launched the Steelbacks brand with an 'S' crest that will feature on their one-day kits from this season.

"What we found from various focus groups was that although the Steelbacks name resonated in terms of being 'made of steel', resilient, gritty, and working as a team, the alignment to an 18th century infantry unit probably wasn't there," Ray Payne, the club's chief executive, explained. "If you're trying to attract a young, new audience, you need to have something they would align themselves to."

"If you look at retail sales, the rose merchandise sells much better than the Steelbacks, whereas if you look at attendances, it's the other way round. It's a great opportunity to re-launch with something new, to attract people back to the sport and to attract a new audience."

The new badge may also be seen as a nod to the club's involvement with London Spirit in the Hundred, with some similarities between the two brands. "We were conscious of that," Payne said. "We are associated with it, so we didn't think it was detrimental at all if there was some level of continuity to it."

The club are rolling out their rebrand across their academy and their community arm, with Northamptonshire Recreational Cricket becoming Steelbacks in the Community.

Perhaps the most pressing question at the club, though, is whether any fans will be in the ground to see the re-branded Steelbacks play their first T20 Blast game of the season in early June. The UK is in its third nationwide lockdown, but there remains some optimism about the prospect of fans attending games this summer on account of the speed of the vaccine roll-out.

"All scenarios are on the table," Payne said. "Before Christmas, I'd have said we'd definitely have people in the ground by April, but I'm a little bit more nervous now, though I wouldn't think it'll be far behind even if it isn't the first Championship game. It's enormously important for the game, both on a cricket level and financially.

"We're a tight-knit club anyway, and have rebuilt ourselves on running a very tight ship. We've looked at making sure we're in good stead for when we come out of it. I think we're as happy as we could be - we have very little debt left within the club - but we do need supporters back."

Northants announced the signing of Mohammad Nabi at the end of last year for the T20 Blast, but are yet to decide whether they will add another overseas player for this season.

"It's hard this year with the international calendar how it is and the uncertainty about travel," Payne said. "It's so tough to find the windows we'd want, whether that's just for the Blast or to give us an added dimension for the Championship. I'm not ruling it out but we're feeling good about this year and we've got a more balanced squad than we've had in the past."

Fidel Edwards has made himself available for West Indies and hopes to return to international cricket for the first time in almost 10 years.

Edwards celebrates his 39th birthday this week and last represented West Indies in 2012. But, reasoning he is as fit now as he has ever been, he believes he could play a part in West Indies' T20 World Cup campaign later in the year.

He also hopes he can secure a return to the IPL. He last played a match in the tournament in 2009 - he was part of the Deccan Chargers side that won the tournament - but will put himself into the auction this year.

"I have made myself available for West Indies," Edwards, who is currently representing Delhi Bulls in the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, told ESPNcricinfo. "I have spoken to Kieron Pollard and Phil Simmons and let them know that, if there's any opportunity, I'm ready.

"Training has always been a big part of my game but, in the last 18 months or so, I've changed what I do and I'm the fittest I've ever felt.

"I've had my time in England and now I've made myself available to represent West Indies again. I think I did pretty well in the CPL and I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Edwards' availability for both West Indies and the IPL is due, in part, to Brexit. The UK's departure from the European Union has put an end to Kolpak registrations in the county game and means that Edwards, who signed such a deal with Hampshire in 2015, is free to play international cricket again. And while Kolpak registrations were theoretically entitled to play in the IPL, Edwards was obliged to remain available for Hampshire for the entire season and was not, therefore, free to enter the auction.

"I enjoyed my time at Hampshire, but that was a big part of me not playing in the IPL," he says. "But now I'm not with them, my aim is to put my name back out there and hopefully get another chance to play. Anything is possible."

Although few 39-year-old fast bowlers win top-level comebacks, Edwards does have some skills that West Indies - and some IPL teams, no doubt - may require. Not least, he can bowl in both the powerplay and at the death and he can still generate sharp pace. In the most recent CPL season, he was timed at over 148 kph (92 mph) and dominated the list of quickest deliveries in the tournament. He isn't ruling out playing 50-over or even first-class cricket again, either.

"I still love the game," he says, "and I'm still doing what I do best: bowling quickly and taking wickets. You never know what can happen. But if the opportunity comes, I'll be ready.

Bayern Munich and United States defender Chris Richards is set to join Hoffenheim on a six-month loan move, a source has told ESPN.

Richards, 20, earned his first Bundesliga start for Bayern in the 4-3 win against Hertha Berlin on Oct. 4 -- becoming the first American to start a Bundesliga match for Bayern in the 120-year history of the club -- and has gone on to make seven appearances in all competitions this season.

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He made his debut for Gregg Berhalter's USMNT outfit in November's 6-2 victory against Panama, after recovering from a minor calf injury following his Bayern bow.

Hoffenheim are 12th and lost 4-1 to Bayern on Saturday. Richards was on the bench but did not come on.

The move will allow Richards to play under former Bayern reserve team boss Sebastian Hoeness again, who is now in charge of Hoffenheim.