Formula One’s new era gets under way at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where teams will leap into the unknown and grapple with sweeping technical changes under race conditions for the first time.F1 has simultaneously overhauled chassis and power unit regulations for the first time in decades, posing a challenge for drivers and engineers alike while raising concerns about the quality of racing.The new rules have raised hopes of a more open championship and the prospect of a disruptor team emerging.But pre-season testing in Bahrain hinted at a familiar top four, with Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren all performing well.Joey Lynch buckles up for our qualifying blog, with Giles Richards reporting from Albert Park.

Emillia Hawkins and Xaymaca Awoyungbo host our gateway to the footballing weekend, bringing all the breaking news and vibes from across the fixture list on a day dominated by three FA Cup ties and the Lionesses taking the next step in their World Cup journey.There’s also a busy EFL programme to consider, plus fallout from Friday night’s fifth-round tie as Wolves met Liverpool for a second time this week.Mansfield were the toast of English football after ejecting Premier League Burnley at Turf Moor in the last round.Now, the Stags prepare to host the league leaders, albeit a second-string Gunners team.Sadly, their League One form is lamentable: winless in nine games, with six draws and three defeats, leaving Nigel Clough’s side only five points above the relegation zone.

Still, the Cup is the Cup.Billy Munday hosts the live blog, with David Hytner reporting from the lunchtime kick-off.England made a winning start to their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualification campaign, seeing off Ukraine 6-1 in Turkey on Tuesday.Next up for the European champions are Iceland at the City Ground; Sarina Wiegman’s side will be eager to bolster their goals tally in the group they share with Spain, where just one team qualifies automatically.The two-time European champions face their rivals in April, with goal difference likely to be vital.

Emillia Hawkins hosts our live blog with Suzanne Wrack reporting from Nottingham,The Scots were the visitors to Paris last March when Les Bleus won the competition for the first time since 2022,Fabien Galthié’s barnstormers could wrap up a second consecutive title with victory over Gregor Townsend’s second-placed side,A bonus-point win would seal the deal for France regardless of other results, but a bonus-point win for the Scots could see them leapfrog Les Bleus at the top of the table heading into the final round of matches,Scotland have won five of their 13 matches against France since Townsend took charge in 2017 and there have also been a couple of agonising defeats.

That includes the last Murrayfield meeting two years ago when a contentious decision denied Sam Skinner a last-gasp match-winning try.Lee Calvert hosts our live blog; Michael Aylwin reports.Italy have never been better equipped to claim a first victory in this fixture at the 33rd time of asking – and England know it.Jamie George and Ben Earl have been among the players to acknowledge that the Azzurri are stronger than at any time in their Six Nations history and what was traditionally a routine assignment now has all the making of a Roman conquest.England have never finished a Six Nations campaign with just one win, the prospect that awaits them if they fall in the Italian capital with France their final opponents.

Daniel Gallan handles the live coverage, with Robert Kitson and Gerard Meagher reporting from the Stadio Olimpico.Here’s a Cup tie that promises to be a cracker.Phil Parkinson’s side sit in the Championship’s top six as they aim for what would be an incredible fourth straight promotion, but will take time out to welcome the club world champions to north Wales.Before the Hollywood hype of recent years, the most famous day in the club’s history was their FA Cup giantkilling of Arsenal back in 1992, when still a Fourth Division club.The current club – backed by the deep pockets of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac – have already caused one shock this season by knocking out Nottingham Forest on penalties in the third round.

Rob Smyth is on live blog duty and Will Unwin reports from the Stok Cae Ras.The Magpies face City for the fifth time this season, after seeing their Carabao Cup defence ended by Pep Guardiola’s side at the semi-final stage.Like City, Newcastle are still alive in the Champions League – they face Barcelona on Tyneside in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday evening – but a return to Europe’s top table looks unlikely with nine league games to play.Eddie Howe is making no apologies for targeting Cup glory, with the famous trophy now his side’s best chance of securing continental football next season.Blog host Scott Murray keeps the updates flowing, with Louise Taylor filing from St James’ Park.

Oscar Piastri has yet to win his home grand prix and pre-season testing showed signs McLaren are not the dominant force that arrived at Albert Park 12 months ago,After seven race wins last season and a third-place finish in the drivers’ championship, the young Australian has generated huge buzz in his home town of Melbourne and is expected to draw record crowds for his bid to become the first home winner since the race joined F1 in 1985,McLaren locked out the front row last year and the defending champion, Britain’s Lando Norris, won the season-opener on a wet track,Norris may again loom as Piastri’s toughest adversary, even with pre-season hype suggesting a revival for Mercedes and Ferrari,Joey Lynch resumes live blog duties, with Giles Richards filing a race report.

Emillia Hawkins picks up the thread of the weekend’s football as anticipation builds towards Sunday’s three FA Cup ties, plus an Old Firm ballyhoo in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.In Europe, the Milan derby headlines a busy fixture list, and there’s bound to be news and reaction from all Saturday’s action.Why not join the conversation by sending your thoughts to matchday.live@theguardian.com? Rangers will be seeking to silence the huge Celtic support in their Cup quarter-final tie with a repeat of last weekend’s first-half display – and hope to avoid reprising the second half, when Martin O’Neill’s side fought back for a draw.

To comply with the rules of the Cup, Rangers have handed a whole stand to Celtic’s followers, which means around 7,500 fans will roar on the Hoops at Ibrox for the first time since 2018.With both clubs trailing Hearts for league honours, the Cup’s offer of silverware is more keenly felt by the traditional powers of Scottish football.Alex Reid helms the live blog.India’s attempt to become the first team to retain the Twenty20 World Cup will collide with New Zealand’s quest for a maiden global white-ball crown.More than 100,000 fans will hope for a home triumph, and the stands will transform into a sea of blue for Suryakumar Yadav’s men.

India do not have particularly sweet memories of their rivals or this venue in recent global finals.The Black Caps got the better of them in the 2021 World Test Championship final in England and two years later, Australia stunned the cavernous Narendra Modi Stadium when they humbled India in the 50-over World Cup final.India’s campaign has not been flawless, but the world’s top-ranked team are where it matters – one win from becoming the first host nation to lift a T20 World Cup.Rob Smyth hosts over-by-over commentary, with Simon Burnton reporting from Ahmedabad.The League One strugglers make their first fifth-round appearance in 30 years against Premier League Sunderland, their moment in the spotlight secured after Ben Waine’s extra-time goal dumped out Championship Bristol City.

“It will be the ultimate test but we are looking forward to it,” says the Vale manager, Jon Brady, whose side have defied a dreadful league season to move within 90 minutes of the quarter-finals.But that gap of 57 league places to a confident visiting side presents a challenge for even the most optimistic Valiants.Dominic Booth steers the live blog, with Sam Dalling reporting from Vale Park.Elland Road may be the most likely venue for an FA Cup upset this weekend.Norwich are in fine fettle – eight wins from their past 10 matches in league and cup under Philippe Clement.

For Leeds, Premier League survival is the priority and a resource-sapping Cup run is a mixed blessing with Nottingham Forest and West Ham fast closing in on them.Leeds – who have already seen off two other second-tier clubs, Derby and Birmingham City – will be without Daniel Farke, serving a one-game touchline ban as he faces the club he led to two promotions.Luke McLaughlin offers minute-by-minute coverage, while Jamie Jackson reports from the ground.