MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Finn Russell returns for Scotland’s match with world champions South Africa in Pretoria as the second round of Nations Championship fixtures take place on Saturday. New Zealand host Italy in Wellington, Australia play France and Ireland meet Japan in Newcastle, New South Wales. Fiji take on England at Everton’s Bramley Moore-Dock Stadium before Wales look to extend their three-match winning run in Argentina.

SPEEDWAY: Under-strength Ipswich continued their miserable run of form as the defending Premiership champions went down 42-48 at home to Leicester on Thursday evening. Leicester are now five points behind table-toppers Belle Vue, who earned a 47-42 win at bottom club Northampton. Max Fricke top-scored with 13 points as King’s Lynn came from 10 points down to win 46-44 at Sheffield in the other midweek fixture.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: The Scottish League Cup kicks off on Saturday with 16 group games that include defending Lowland League champions Linlithgow Rose making their debut in the competition with a trip to Greenock Morton. Fellow non-leaguers Brechin City are at Partick Thistle and Brora Rangers visit Glasgow to face Queen’s Park. Falkirk, who finished sixth in the Premiership last season, begin their campaign at Edinburgh City.

MEN’S CRICKET: England are 3-0 up and have already sealed their first-ever Twenty20 series win over world champions India before the two teams meet in the final leg of their five-match series at Southampton on Saturday. Chasing 159 to win, captain Harry Brook smashed eight fours and four sixes in a rapid 79 not out and Phil Salt hit an unbeaten 59 as England raced to a nine-wicket victory with six overs to spare on Thursday evening in Bristol.