For sportsday but first a look at what else is coming up this evening on bbc news. After gibraltar was labelled a british colony in an eu document well be speaking to one of gibraltars meps about the controversy. Well hear from a friend and colleague of comedian jermey hardy who died today at the age ofjust 57. And well be discussing tomorrows front pages with my guests owen bennett, from city am and the business journalistjohn crowley. Thats at 10. 40 and at 11. 30. Thats all ahead on bbc news. Now on bbc news its time for sportsday. Welcome to sportsday live from dublin, i am sarah mulkerrins. With three of the worlds top four ranked teams involved it is being billed as the closest six nations for many years. World number two, ireland, are grand slam champions and after an all conquering 2018 they start the world cup year hosting world number four, england, in dublin tomorrow. The tournament starts in paris tonight where world number three, wales, are the visitors in what will be Warren Gatlands last six nations as head coach. I am Katherine Downes with the rest of the days news from the bbc sport centre. West indies are in control of the second test against england, but englands bowlers have finally had some success. And superbowl weekend is here well have the latest from atlanta, as the city prepares for the patriots against the rams. Hello and welcome to sportsday. We are at the home of leinster, the clu b we are at the home of leinster, the club where the island coachjoe smith first made his name. Half a mile south from here is lansdowne road, the aviva stadium, and tomorrow are alone, the defending champions, will get their Six Nations Campaign under way. Tonight we are at the odious and we will have a Charity Match and we will get their thoughts in a moment. The tournament starts tonight in paris, france host wales. We will be there shortly. But lets remind ourselves of the scene 12 months ago. Ireland have been all conquering in 2018, but as Patrick Gearey reflects it could have been oh so different. 2018 was the year of the green giants. Ireland have climbed the beanstalk so far and so fast, yet they were nearly grounded before they were nearly grounded before they started. 18 minutes gone in france, one point down, the clock dead, the door locked, before ireland could rise, they would first need to draw. It looks good, he likes it. And ireland have stolen the game right at the end. From relief group believe, a wave them the tide which would engulf italy who find themselves caught unawares, the first act of the stockdale show. Jacob stockdale, can he go himself . He will score again. Jacobs crackers would become a theme, two in that match and two more against wales. He embodied irelands gathering pace. England had been charging for some time, they had won the last 26 nations and in their first two matches who would have thought they would fall into the black hole of the calcutta cup . And scotla nd black hole of the calcutta cup . And scotland within metres of the line and it goes to maitland for the try. Scotlands first win over england in a decade, aurora that rippled through the tournament. Now ireland we re through the tournament. Now ireland were favourites. If the pressure dynamics had changed, it did not show. No force could hold stockdale back against the scots. Another two tries, another win, over to england. There are threats afraid against the french. Penalty after a penalty after penalty try, after penalty. Down and out in paris. France have beaten england, ireland are crowned the champions of the six nations. The english had done irelands Party Planning for them. Saint patricks day and england hosting. By now there was no stopping ireland, no stopping stockdale. Stockdale chasing it down and he cannot gather. Now he can. What was planted that spring was harvested in the autumn, ireland beat the mighty new zealand, stockdale scored of course. This year they start as they finish, against england. And now the green giants want to conquer the world. A phenomenal year, 2018, for irish by. Phenomenal year, 2018, for irish rugby. Iam phenomenal year, 2018, for irish rugby. I am delighted to say we are joined by a couple of guests, chris jones, the bbcs rugby correspondent and shane jones. You jones, the bbcs rugby correspondent and shanejones. You are warming up for the rugby behind you. And shanejones. You are warming up for the rugby behind youlj and shanejones. You are warming up for the rugby behind you. I am doing well at the moment, it is cold. In terms of ireland heading into the six nations, all that went before in 2018, the pressure is on them because it is a world cup year as well. It is, but you think they are kind abused to that pressure. Ranked number two kind abused to that pressure. Ranked numbertwo in kind abused to that pressure. Ranked number two in the world, it took them a long time to get there, but they have every right to be there. A couple of eyebrows raised, but eve ryo ne couple of eyebrows raised, but everyone in ireland knows that henshaw has played in that position s0 henshaw has played in that position so often many times before for lei nster so often many times before for leinster once or twice and we do not think he will let anybody down in the green jersey. This is the last six nations forjoe schmidt, a big yearfor him and the six nations forjoe schmidt, a big year for him and the legacy he will leave behind in ireland. Yes, huge. And he would be right up in the honours roll. He is a fantastic coach and brings out the best in the players and that is the main thing, the players respond to what he asks them to do. There is real depth in them to do. There is real depth in the squad. In november we did not have conor murray and we still got on with business. That is what he instilled in this irish team. There isa instilled in this irish team. There is a little carrot of maybe ending at number one seed in the world. Maybe. We have to balance out this conversation and we have to talk about england. 2018 was up and down, about england. 2018 was up and down, a dreadful six nations, but came backin a dreadful six nations, but came back in the autumn. It is a big campaignfor back in the autumn. It is a big campaign for eddie jones. Autumn was a turning point because they went into that autumn a little bit on their knees. They were fifth in the six nations last year and lost to developing south africa side in the summer developing south africa side in the summerand they were developing south africa side in the summer and they were worried they could lose to the springboks. Then there were the all blacks at the end of the month and it could have been cataclysmic. But they rallied really well. With bean apollo back, they may have steadied the ship and they come to dublin trying to build that the underdog tag. They like their mind games. I have been in portugal with the camp this week and John Mitchell threw a grenade at their when he said the irish would bore the english and there were a few bleeps in there as well. I think they are saying, are you going to stick to your game plan . Ireland have to do what they have done in 2018. But if conor murray runs the ball when he should be kicking, englands mind games might win. A lot of people are backing england, more are backing ireland, but england have a bit of a siege mentality and they are saying no one thing is we can do it, but we can. Before we let you get back to the warm up, how important is the six nations in a world cup year . Warm up, how important is the six nations in a world cup year7m a lwa ys nations in a world cup year7m always is. If you go back to 2003, it was that six nations that set the stall out. Set at the statement and go into it with a superb winning feeling. That is what they have to do, and a successful six nations is exactly what ireland need in this world cup. Momentum is the word that is bandied about. We will let you back, best of luck in the charity game. We appreciate you joining us. We mentioned joe schmidt and the fa ct we mentioned joe schmidt and the fact that it is the last six nations for him in charge of the world cup and it is the same for Warren Gatland, the wales coach. This will be his tenth six nations in charge of wales. They open up their campaigna bit of wales. They open up their campaign a bit later in paris when they take on france. Thomas dafydd has been talking to the french fans about what the legacy Warren Gatland will leave behind. Welcome to paris where the six nations kicks off with wales taking on france. Momentum cou nts wales taking on france. Momentum counts for an awful lot in any tournament and wales are on a roll. They have won their last nine games and coach Warren Gatland has made a bold prediction about tonights encounter. We have got a good chance of winning this game and if we win this first game we have got a good chance of winning the six nations. I have not contemplated anything other than winning the six nations. We finished second last year which was 0k and it would be great to win the six nations and then we got onto world cup warm up games in the world cup. Is his confidence shared by the fans . Stephen has made thejourney to paris. Good evening. A big year for welsh rugby with the world cup around the corner injapan. For welsh rugby with the world cup around the corner in japan. What would constitute success for you . With the championship and a couple of good games and play well. They have to attack and we have to look as if we are attacking. As long as that goes well, the fans will be happy. And tonight . I think we will win. It may be close, but if we have been progressing as we have done, i think it would be ok. Warren gatlands last year at the hell, how do you assess his contribution . massive contribution to welsh rugby. The Young Players he has brought through this evening will be a testament to his programme. I am looking forward to winning tonight. Then a very Good Campaign in the world cup. Expectations are high here in paris and the kick off is at eight oclock. Thomas dafydd and the wales fa ns eight oclock. Thomas dafydd and the wales fans in paris. Just before we came on air i spoke to former Wales International and bbc commentator Jonathan Davies who is inside the stade de france ahead of live coverage. I think it is a good start and momentum will be with wales who have got two home games against england and ireland. It will be a very good start for them. But france are a big side, not a lot of confidence within the French International side, but they are capable of a performance. That they certainly are. I am trying to ban the phrase which france will turn up . We are always talking about that with this french side. In terms of their strength, what are they going to threaten wales with . They have picked a massive pack, i think it is the biggest pack wales have ever faced. They have got bigger model and lopez to control it at the base and they will be difficult to beat. Wales have to keep the ball in play and move the french pack around and maybe later on in the phases they will be disorganised and there will be openings for them. They have to keep the ball in play and play the right areas. They do not want to be camped in their own 22 because they are such a massive side. They have got a couple of youngsters in the back, so it looks exciting. But if wales can keep them quiet for the first 20 minutes. I do not think it isa first 20 minutes. I do not think it is a sell out because of a lack of confidence in the national side. The crowd easily turns on the french if things are not going well. Wales coming into this tournament almost under the radar, but many people have picked for this tournament. We are here in dublin for ireland against wales. They have got strength and depth from a good tour to argentina. They are trying to keep under the radar, but the game tomorrow in dublin will be very interesting. Ireland rightly start as favourites because of their performance in the last 12 months. But england will be one hell of a test for them. Tuilagi is playing in the centre and the winner of that puts themselves in a good position. Warren gatland said that if wales should win tonight. Warren gatland said that if wales should win tonight. Jonathan davies speaking to me a little earlier. You can watch the full game between france and wales on bbc one, coverage starts from 7. 25. The kick off at eight oclock of france against wales. The kick off at eight oclock of france against wales. We will have a look ahead to the womens tournament and speak to former Scotland Centre Scott Hasting shortly but now lets head back to the bbc sport centre where Katherine Downes will wrap up all the days other sports news. Lets head to warmer climes. West indies have taken control of the second test against england theyve passed englands first innings total of 187, and englands bowlers have been making slow progress on a tricky pitch. Craig templeton has been watching the action. After the first days play in north sound all the talk had been about the pitch and the noise of another england collapse. But the bowlers found early rhythm and stuart broad thought he had found the wicked. 0n review it did not strike the right note. Bat on ball. This delivery did, butjos buttler note. Bat on ball. This delivery did, but jos buttler was just note. Bat on ball. This delivery did, butjos buttler wasjust off the pace. A change of bowler brought a change in fortunes. Ben stones got the edge and jos buttler had his lesson. England had won the opener but Craig Brathwaite was still there and was starting to force the issue. But just after lunch he and was starting to force the issue. Butjust after lunch he played for a single and ended up a single run short of his 50. And then stuart broad got the wicket that his endeavour deserved and england had hoped. Hope that shortly became something more concrete as this off stump went flying. Hecht meyer is a batsman who plays with the exuberance of youth, but you have got to learn to pick your moments. Heres the latest. As ever the cricket social has been keeping an eye on things today. And robert croft has been part of the team, and has popped into the studio to give us his thoughts on the day so far. Thank you so much for giving us your time. Talk to us about the pitch because it seems to be causing all kinds of problems. How do you ball successfully on a pitch like this . You have to be accurate. Assess the length that is apt for the surface which is a little bit fuller. The top of the pitch looks like it is disintegrating. The grass is growing, but it does not look like the roots have gone down that far. You can often find five feet of difference. From englands perspective they have not done it well enough for long enough and that has cost them. They had a bad first session, two bowlers bowled well, but not all four. The second session was better. How disheartened should we be . A crushing defeat in the first test and the second test does not seem to be going their way either. This was meant to be a confidence boosting series. Will it be different when the cricket is played on home soil . |j be different when the cricket is played on home soil . I hope so. England have played two very good series. They beat india and sri la nka series. They beat india and sri lanka away. Going into this they would have been favourites, particularly with the way west Indies Cricket has gone in test cricket in recent times. This is not the performance any england supporter or the players would have been expected at this point. However, they are still in it. Maybe it could be the kick up the backside that gets you refocus the head of the ashes. England have to deal with this and make sure they get back into it and then have a debrief to see what the best 11 would be to ta ke see what the best 11 would be to take on the australians. The test is not lost yet, lets make that clear. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. A reminder you can of course follow the second test on the bbc sport website and app with text commentary and also the cricket social with isabelle and the rest of the tms team. Superbowl weekend is upon us, and in atlanta theyre gearing up for the big event on sunday new England Patriots against the los angeles rams. 0ur reporter seth bennett is there, and caught up with one of the bbcs nfl superstars. Welcome to atlanta, we are on the radio, the media, super bowl liii, you can see it, you can feel it, it is live, it is active. I want to let you know a few things to look for for the big game on sunday. This is all about old versus new. The old quys all about old versus new. The old guys on the block versus the new. The new England Patriots have been here before and for the la rams it is their first here before and for the la rams it is theirfirst time here before and for the la rams it is their first time here. Also you have got the storyline of tom brady, the veteran quarterback versus the new kid on the block, gerard gough. You have the young, up and coming vibrant coach against bill belichick, the man who has done it more than anyone before. This is going to be an outstanding game. Of course everybody wants a prediction. This is going to be difficult. These teams are very well matched but i have to go with the new England Patriots, 28 24. This is going to be a tight game, that is my prediction. This is going to be a tight game, that is my prediction. Before we go back to dublin, time for a quick look at the other sports stories making the headlines this eveing. After their draw in december, Deontay Wilder says a rematch with tyson fury is 100 percent on. The american says an agreement is in place for the rematch to take place in april or may this year in either las vegas or new york. World number onejustin rose has missed the cut at the saudi international. Its only the second time in 36 events that the englishman has failed to make it through to the weekend. Dustinjohnson leads after setting a new course record with an eagle and seven birdies in his bogey free round of 61. Australia are in control of their second and final test against sri lanka in canberra. They ended the first day on 384 for 4 withjoe burns and travis head both scoring centuries. Australia won the first match. Qatar have won the 2019 asian cup, beating the four time champions japan 3 1 to take the title for the first time. The country will host the next world cup in 2022. Lindsay vonn has announced that next weeks World Championships in sweden will be her final event. She is four short of the record of 86 world cup wins and was trying to break that record, but she says her body is screaming at her to stop ski racing. We can return to dublin now as sarah looks ahead to week one of the six nations. Yes, it is very cold, i have been jogging yes, it is very cold, i have been jogging on the spot. We are in dublin and ireland host england in the mens event tomorrow. There is a Charity Match just about to get under way. I know we have not talked about scotland yet, we are doing that very shortly. Let me bring you up to date with a result in the womens six nations tournament. A big win for england. They ran in eight tries, a massive win for the english side. This is the first year they have these professional contract. A big win and a marker of intent. This being englands first year as professionals lets find out which home nations players we should be looking out for in this years tournament, with rugby world editor sarah mockford. Iam the i am the editor of rugby World Magazine and these are my players to watch in this six nations. England will feel the pressure of greater expectations, having become full time professionals at the start of the year. Fly half katy mclean became englands latest centurion in november. Her kicking game will be key if the red roses are to repeat their grand slam feet of 2017. Ireland are still in rebuilding mode after a disappointing home world cup in 2017 with seven uncapped players in their squad. Claire molloy, a doctor, is one of the older heads in their team and doctor, is one of the older heads in theirteam and a doctor, is one of the older heads in their team and a destructive force, making big tackles and securing turnovers. Her experience will be crucial. Scotland have made strides recently with 36 nations wins in the past dozen yea rs recently with 36 nations wins in the past dozen years after losing every match from 2011 to 2016. Jade conqueror will miss the first game with injury, but when she returns she will provide powerful ball carrying from number eight. Wales finished bottom of the table on points difference last year and will be desperate to notch more than one win in this campaign. Jasminejoyce will help with that goal, the only non english player at the 2016 0lympics non english player at the 2016 olympics and her pace is a big threat to opposition defences. Some good names to look out for. Returning to the mens game. Scotland have been Building Momentum under gregor townsend, beating england at murrayfield last year and many think they could cause some problems this year. Starting with italy tomorrow he sees it as a chance to get a good start to the tournament but is wary of the italians. The championship is over five games and there is a belief going into it because we know what our players are capable of and what they have done in the past, but it will be an incredibly tough tournament and we have got to be as accurate as possible in the opening game and carry on any momentum we build up from that opening game. This will be as tough game we face. That is gregor townsend, lets get the view of Scott Hastings. What does this six nations been for scotland . Does this six nations been for scotland . They have does this six nations been for scotland . They have upset last year. Scotla nd scotland . They have upset last year. Scotland and italy, you would look at that game and go it is definitely scotla nd at that game and go it is definitely scotland for a win. Italy caused problems for scotland four years ago and it is a tough opener. It will be tough because the coach is a cracking player. How important is it that they now start wearing on the road consistently. Everybody has seen road consistently. Everybody has seen the high tempo game they play, the fast running rugby, they have got great attacking players in stuart russell, then hogg. Against ireland in the week after next, so next saturday and then they go on the road to paris and twickenham. They are two hard places to win. |j have not asked anybody for a prediction. Give us a prediction. Tonight wales play france and i think france will beat wales. Tomorrow scotland will be italy and i dont want to say, but england are the underdogs and i think they will win by three points, but i hope ireland will win. Because you have been so nice we will let you away with that. Enjoy the weekend. I am sure everybody well. That is it from dublin. The six nations is about to star in france tonight and there is full coverage across the bbc. It is going to be a cracking few months ahead. Whoever you are supporting, enjoy it. It is going to be a fun road. Good night. We have seen further heavy and disruptive snow this evening across southern pies of england which will slow down. With a lot of low lying snow around, slow down. With a lot of low lying snow around , eyes slow down. With a lot of low lying snow around, eyes will be a huge problem. Take extra care if you are heading out. Snow showers will continue across northern and eastern scotla nd continue across northern and eastern scotland and the eastern side of england. Elsewhere lengthy clear skies and it will turn very cold. As we head on into saturday morning it should be dry for many with lots of sunshine. Wintry showers in the north and the east of the country. A few showers affecting pembrokeshire and into cornwall. 0ther few showers affecting pembrokeshire and into cornwall. Other than that it will be dry, but lots of sunshine. For the weekend there will bea sunshine. For the weekend there will be a lot of sunshine around, wintry showers in the north and east, and into sunday weather system moves of the atlantic which will bring in some rain. This is bbc news, im lukwesa burak. The headlines at 7pm. Heavy snow causes hundreds of schools to close across wales and southern england and more snow is on the way. Millions of commuters face nightmare journeys as some places are hit with several inches of snow. Drivers are told not to travel. It was like armageddon, lorries jackknifed all up this road. Vehicles everywhere. We have been driving around hampshire and berkshire all day and the snow simply hasnt stopped falling. In a landmark ruling the mother of a three Year Old Girl has become the first person in the uk to be found guilty of female genital mutilation. The search continues for the mother of a newborn baby girl found abandoned in a london park on one of the coldest nights of winter. All of the three major Health Screening programmes in england fail