Rejoice! Another international break: the upday weekend sports preview
The Premier League is taking a break this weekend, but never fear there’s still all sorts of cracking sports action to gorge on.
England’s football stars will be out for World Cup revenge against Croatia in their Nations League fixtures, rugby union’s Champions Cup kicks off, the Super League Grand Final is on Saturday, not to mention England cricket’s one day tour of Sri Lanka.
England v Croatia Friday 19.45
Spain v England Monday 19.45 (SkySports MainEvent)
Football’s international breaks are normally met with a heavy sigh, as international friendlies disrupt the progress of Premier League action. Hopefully the new-format Nations League is consigning that to the past.
England have revenge on their mind in their games this weekend, having lost last time out against both Croatia (in the World Cup semi-final, remember) and Spain. All eyes will be on whether new wunderkind call up Jadon Sancho makes his debut.
The Republic of Ireland play Wales, after their Cardiff hammering last month, while Scotland and Northern Ireland are also in action.
Get to know more about the young lions hoping to feature strongly in the Nations League line-ups:
Heineken Champions Cup Game of the Weekend: Exeter v Munster Saturday 15.15 (BT Sport 2)
The Heineken Champions Cup gets underway this weekend, with mouth-watering contests aplenty. Europe’s top rugby heavyweights go head-to-head in the world’s premier club competition.
Three Anglo-Irish clashes should get the pulse racing in round one.
Coventry based Wasps head to defending champions Leinster on Friday night. Exeter Chiefs welcome Munster to Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon, followed by Ulster v Leicester in Ravenhill.
There are some free to air games this year: Channel 4 will show Bath take on French giants Toulouse at one o’clock.
Check out the five leading contenders:
England v Sri Lanka second one day international Saturday 09.30 (SkySports MainEvent)
England’s cricketers will hope to kickstart their winter tour after Wednesday’s washout.
If they can avoid the perennial rain forecast in Sri Lanka this time of year, Eoin Morgan’s men, the number one side in one day cricket, are never to be missed.
Oli Stone, the 90mph Warwickshire bowler, will be hoping for a full debut after being selected in the abandoned game.
Have an in-depth look at the tour:
Super League Grand Final Wigan v Warrington Saturday 18.00 (SkySports MainEvent)
The Super League reaches its conclusion on Saturday when Warrington Wolves take on Wigan Warriors.
It is a repeat of the 2016 grand final, which the Warriors won, leaving the Wolves still searching for their first Super League trophy.
Wigan’s motivation won’t be lacking with a number of high profile figures set to leave the club, not least head coach Shaun Wane.
Whichever team you support it’s bound to be a memorable fixture.
An excellent preview awaits here:
If none of those take your fancy, don’t fret there’s British Masters golf going on in Walton Health, Kyle Edmund among others in tennis action in Shanghai, and there’s always NFL Sunday.
Enjoy your sporting weekend! 😎
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