the last of the some sleet and snow. the last of the weather front clearing from the south—east corner. behind it, clear spells and showers overnight. in highland scotland, up to five centimetres of snow but in northern ireland and north—west england, wales and even the moors of the west country over the highest ground we may see a of lying snow by the morning. there may be some icy conditions around first thing. so a chilly but bright start to the weekend with some spells of sunshine. howeverwe'll weekend with some spells of sunshine. however we'll see cloud thickening from the west through the day. rain in northern ireland and western scotland, the odd spot in wales and the south—west of england. increasingly windy but after a cold day, a cold night, temperatures starting to edge up during tomorrow. tomorrow night is going to be very wet and windy across parts of northern ireland and western scotland, gail was likely for a time. the clocks go forward one hour on sunday. through sunday the band

of rain will get stuck in central areas, showers to the north, things brightening to the south which should allow it to feel quite warm, 15 or 16 degrees. if you think that's one, have a look at tuesday. some parts of the south may see temperatures up to 23 degrees. further north and west, some rain across the north of scotland. wow, thank you. that's it from the bbc news.

hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm sarah mulkerrins. coming up on the programme, a big hit in display full of sixes from baer stowe and stokes.

under the lights in paris tonight, the six nations title will be decided. france take on scotland with wales looking on from the sidelines. we will look ahead to the new formula i season. can anyone challenge lewis hamilton as he bids for a championship? also coming up in the programme... the perfect week chris thompson as he becomes a dad and secures a spot in the tokyo event. i can't wait to get home. give him a cuddle and say your dad is awesome. welcome along to sportsday this evening. what a batting display we saw from england in their odi win

against india today. jonny bairstow and ben stokes produced a masterclass, a six hitting feast, as they helped england chase down a hefty target of 337 to win by six wickets and set up a decider on sunday. the pair combined for a total of 175 for their second wicket stand and hit 17 sixes between them. watching the match for us was imran sidat. it's been mature to forget for england so far, but a couple of wicket hopes of keeping a one—day series alive. that proved to be a rare highlight as coley went on the attack for india. after he departed, the rains were took over, a sublime century. that's one way to silence your critics. it wasn't long before the dazzling brilliance of three shot he was unsure once again, the home side set a target of 337.

england's openers got up to a flyer. jonny bairstow dispatching the indian bowlers as he brought up a blistering century. with ben stokes letting loose at the other end, england could sense a famous victory. he fell one short of his hundred but the damage was done it, as the debutante lyon livingston saw them home with more than six to spare. —— lyon livingston. imran sidat, bbc news. amazing end to that match. superb from jonny bairstow. he spoke at his pride after his 11th for england. i’m he spoke at his pride after his 11th for england-— for england. i'm happy. ithink it's the biggest _ for england. i'm happy. ithink it's the biggest thing _ for england. i'm happy. ithink it's the biggest thing since _ for england. i'm happy. ithink it's the biggest thing since the - for england. i'm happy. ithink it's the biggest thing since the bat - for england. i'm happy. ithink it's the biggest thing since the bat in. | the biggest thing since the bat in. i got 11 and i think i've opened

over 50, 57 times. yeah, i got 11 and i think i've opened over50, 57 times. yeah, i'm happy with those figures, but those figures mean nothing if you don't keep converting them in the future. so, i'm happy with how i'm playing my cricket at the moment i'm really enjoying it. big my cricket at the moment i'm really en'o in: it. �* , ., my cricket at the moment i'm really enjoying it-— enjoying it. big showing tonight in the rub . it's all eyes on paris tonight as the six nations title will be decided after one of the most unpredictable championships in recent history. scotland take on france in their rescheduled match, with wales looking from the sidelines to see where the trophy will eventually end up. and for scotland, well they have the chance to secure their best ever finish of second. alasdair lamont reports. cheering. scotland's bird to italy put them on the verge of a bit of history. —— road to italy. france are also in

the brink of something special, although their dramatic win over wales. here's how it could all shake down. wales are taught, despite the defeat by france. they will be champion unless france confessed to bore four or more tries and beat scotland by at least 21 points. if the scots win by eight or more without france getting a bonus point, they will have something to celebrate. f point, they will have something to celebrate. , �* ., point, they will have something to celebrate. j ., ., :: celebrate. they've got to get 20 oints to celebrate. they've got to get 20 points to win — celebrate. they've got to get 20 points to win a _ celebrate. they've got to get 20 points to win a game. _ celebrate. they've got to get 20 points to win a game. one - celebrate. they've got to get 20 points to win a game. one of. celebrate. they've got to get 20 | points to win a game. one of the players saying they have a true see the to win. as a proud scotsman, that hurt me a lot. tomorrow, a lot has been said about what they need to do. we finish the highest we are finished in the six nations. the scots don't _ finished in the six nations. the scots don't have _ finished in the six nations. the scots don't have history on their side, however. that record put to

bed, there will be a satisfying end to a topsy—turvy campaign. bed, there will be a satisfying end to a topsy-turvy campaign.- to a topsy-turvy campaign. we've done one of— to a topsy-turvy campaign. we've done one of the _ to a topsy-turvy campaign. we've done one of the hard _ to a topsy-turvy campaign. we've done one of the hard bits. - to a topsy-turvy campaign. we've done one of the hard bits. things| done one of the hard bits. things have _ done one of the hard bits. things have slipped up in our home games against _ have slipped up in our home games against wales and ireland. if you nick this— against wales and ireland. if you nick this game now, coming away from what's _ nick this game now, coming away from what's at _ nick this game now, coming away from what's at the _ nick this game now, coming away from what's at the date for these french boys, _ what's at the date for these french boys, it _ what's at the date for these french boys, it will— what's at the date for these french boys, it will give you a colossal test _ boys, it will give you a colossal test match and a huge win for scottish— test match and a huge win for scottish rugby.— test match and a huge win for scottish rugby. test match and a huge win for scottish ru:b . ~ ., ., scottish rugby. while there are more surrises scottish rugby. while there are more surprises for — scottish rugby. while there are more surprises for second _ scottish rugby. while there are more surprises for second place, _ scottish rugby. while there are more surprises for second place, it - scottish rugby. while there are more surprises for second place, it will. surprises for second place, it will be of major step in the right direction. alasdair lamont, bbc news. you can watch that match live on bbc one this evening come 7:30 p:m.. you can listen to it on radio five live. i'm sure there'll be of interest in wales. let's speak to former wales international phillipa tuttiet. imagine it's quite strange for most wales fans — after missing the grand slam in the heart—breaking way last weekend to now looking on at this and winning the title.

it's a very scottish vibe going on at the moment. they are ordering kilts and haggis and whiskeys. we're very much cheering on the scots this evening. but a bit of a strange turn of events last weekend. sunday morning was a very sombre place in wales. i was —— it was exhausting. a fantastic game of rugby. such an entertaining game. d0 fantastic game of rugby. such an entertaining game.— entertaining game. do you think wales can do — entertaining game. do you think wales can do it _ entertaining game. do you think wales can do it this _ entertaining game. do you think wales can do it this evening? i l entertaining game. do you think- wales can do it this evening? i know they're not playing but in terms of how it's working out with what france need to get that. yeah, ithink yeah, i think it will be a high—scoring game and i do see francejust edging it, but i do not see them putting 2o francejust edging it, but i do not see them putting 20 clear point on scotland. let's not forget scotland were the underdogs when they went down to england, and they turned england over. don't underestimate

scotland. they have one of the best defence is in the six nations as well. as you heard stuart say, they have a point to prove. there's a chance of history to be made with the highest ever finish. chance of history to be made with the highest everfinish. i must stay, edging france will be close. in terms of wales, this championship, if they go on to win the title, it is some turnaround. there's lots of positivity, isn't there? it's a massive turnaround. when you consider last year, we only won three games, and to work... to then be into a position when we were going into a grand slam, some massive turnaround. i think it's a combination of things. i think sorting out our defence really helped, which we started doing. that has given us a platform to then see this style of attack, which i think took a little time to bed and with the players. they seem to be comfortable with it and more

importantly, they seem to be enjoying themselves, which is when you get the most —— the best performance from any team. you get the most -- the best performance from any team. philippi, lovel to performance from any team. philippi, lovely to have — performance from any team. philippi, lovely to have you _ performance from any team. philippi, lovely to have you with _ performance from any team. philippi, lovely to have you with us _ performance from any team. philippi, lovely to have you with us on - lovely to have you with us on sportsday. enjoy that match if you can. sportsday. en'oy that match if you can. . ~' sportsday. en'oy that match if you can. . ~ , ., sportsday. en'oy that match if you and former — sportsday. en'oy that match if you can.�* former wales - can. thank you. former wales international. _ a quick round—up of some of the day's other stories. sarah hunter returns to captain england women for their six nations title defence after being named in the squad for the upcoming tournament. she was out with injury as the red roses sealed last year's title. england's first game is against scotland on april the 3rd. a bit of domestic rugby and second—place exeter are playing struggling gloucester in the premiership. second under way, exeter show a narrow leave. 15 points to ia at the moment. tommy fleetwood will reach the last 16 of the wtc match if he can beat brice and he shambled. he is

currently one up in just two to play. the new formula one season is up and running in bahrain with the friday practice sessions going the way of red bull's max verstappen. they look to be closest challengers to lewis hamilton and mercedes as he bids for a record eighth championship title. but there are plenty more talking points as the new season gets under way, and nick parrott looks ahead to them for us. after a year curtailed by coronavirus, formula 1 is putting on its biggest show yet. first of a record 23 races getting under way this weekend in bahrain, with seven time world champion were lewis hamilton still the headline act. but for how much longer? i hamilton still the headline act. but for how much longer?— for how much longer? i don't feel like i'm for how much longer? i don't feel like i'm at — for how much longer? i don't feel like i'm at the _ for how much longer? i don't feel like i'm at the end, _ for how much longer? i don't feel like i'm at the end, but _ for how much longer? i don't feel like i'm at the end, but next - for how much longer? i don't feel| like i'm at the end, but next eight months or so, we'll definitely find out whether i'm ready to step up or

not. you never know.— not. you never know. winning a record eight _ not. you never know. winning a record eight the _ not. you never know. winning a record eight the title _ not. you never know. winning a record eight the title could - not. you never know. winning a record eight the title could be i not. you never know. winning a l record eight the title could be for perfect ending. or really fancy driving next year's radically different cars? for now, there steve look much the same, but sebastian and has a new ride —— there speeds. for wrist place him for carlos this year. racing point morphed to aston martin. , . ., ., martin. very exciting for me and the whole team. — martin. very exciting for me and the whole team, obviously. _ martin. very exciting for me and the whole team, obviously. it's - martin. very exciting for me and the whole team, obviously. it's the - martin. very exciting for me and the whole team, obviously. it's the new| whole team, obviously. it's the new beginning _ whole team, obviously. it's the new beginning and a new chapter for all of us, _ beginning and a new chapter for all of us, and — beginning and a new chapter for all of us, and i— beginning and a new chapter for all of us, and i think we can't wait for the season— of us, and i think we can't wait for the season to kick off.— the season to kick off. reno has also gone- _ the season to kick off. reno has also gone. they're _ the season to kick off. reno has also gone. they're now- the season to kick off. reno has also gone. they're now called i the season to kick off. reno has - also gone. they're now called alpena and their former double champion fernando alonso is making his comeback after two years away. with so much to relearn, the spaniards reappearance might be a cameo. hate reappearance might be a cameo. we always feel more comfortable after five, always feel more comfortable after five. six _ always feel more comfortable after five. six races _ always feel more comfortable after five, six races. for— always feel more comfortable after five, six races. for me, _ always feel more comfortable after five, six races. for me, it's - always feel more comfortable after five, six races. for me, it's no - five, six races. for me, it's no different _ five, six races. for me, it's no different ihr— five, six races. for me, it's no different. i'm happy— five, six races. for me, it's no

different. i'm happy where - five, six races. for me, it's no different. i'm happy where we| five, six races. for me, it's no - different. i'm happy where we are now, _ different. i'm happy where we are now. but— different. i'm happy where we are now. but i— different. i'm happy where we are now, but i think— different. i'm happy where we are now, but i think a _ different. i'm happy where we are now, but i think a couple - different. i'm happy where we are now, but i think a couple of- different. i'm happy where we are| now, but i think a couple of races, iwill_ now, but i think a couple of races, i will feel— now, but i think a couple of races, i will feel more _ now, but i think a couple of races, i will feel more comfortable. - i will feel more comfortable. another— i will feel more comfortable. another star _ i will feel more comfortable. another star named - i will feel more comfortable. another star named to - i will feel more comfortable. | another star named to return i will feel more comfortable. . another star named to return to i will feel more comfortable. - another star named to return to the great is shoemaker, the son of michael, the rookie to watch out for. will the —— this be the year max verse tappan can topple hamilton? his red bull is looking promising, but mercedes won't give up promising, but mercedes won't give up without a fight nick parrott, bbc news. well, you'll be able to follow coverage of the seaon right across the bbc and radio 5live. jennie gow is part of our team, and i got her thoughts firstly on how friday practice had went. very close between the top 16 drivers. only one second splits them all, i have to say, it's been a long time since we last saw a scoreboard saying that. it's really encouraging. the signs are good for a healthy return, it needs to be to

keep our excitement high. max verstappen could be challenging lewis hamilton for a title. [30 verstappen could be challenging lewis hamilton for a title. do you think formula _ lewis hamilton for a title. do you think formula 1 _ lewis hamilton for a title. do you think formula 1 needs _ lewis hamilton for a title. do you think formula 1 needs more - lewis hamilton for a title. do you think formula 1 needs more nip i lewis hamilton for a title. do you l think formula 1 needs more nip and tuck between the top contenders? it needs loads more, yes, absolutely! we want the likes of mercedes to be challenged by red bull, ferrari, all of the teams piling in every. of the teams piling in every challenged by red bull, ferrari, all of the teams piling in every team has top quality drivers, at least one. the signs of recovery are definitely there. we're just hoping that the form we've seen today in practice carries over and we don't see qualifying tomorrow once again dominated by that mercedes. in terms of lewis hamilton, _ dominated by that mercedes. in terms of lewis hamilton, how— dominated by that mercedes. in terms of lewis hamilton, how big _ dominated by that mercedes. in terms of lewis hamilton, how big a - dominated by that mercedes. in terms of lewis hamilton, how big a season l of lewis hamilton, how big a season would this be for him? he’s of lewis hamilton, how big a season would this be for him?— would this be for him? he's looking for an eighth _ would this be for him? he's looking for an eighth world _ would this be for him? he's looking for an eighth world title, _ would this be for him? he's looking| for an eighth world title, something that no one has ever done in formula 1. it's clear what his ambition is,

but interestingly,