ATHLETICS OPENER …
Is the first major event of the season, the Glasgow International Match (Saturday, BBC1, 1.45pm). The contest, the final major meeting in the city before the Commonwealth Games, pits Great Britain against the United States, Scotland and a Commonwealth select team. Hurdler William Sharman captains the GB team, which features several Olympians, including Greg Rutherford , Robbie Grabarz and Holy Bleasdale, looking to put in a strong start after disappointing seasons in 2013. Watch out too for sprinter James Dasaolu – he reached his first world championships final last year and in trials set the second fastest 100m time for a Briton.
SIX NATIONS SCRUM …
Begins as rugby union ramps up the countdown to its annual skirmish this week with the launch on Wednesday of the Six Nations at London's Hurlingham Club. Expect the gathered captains and head coaches of England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy to attest to the 2014 edition being the most closely fought in years – and with a World Cup approaching the hype is more than justified. Favourites? Champions Wales are 2-1, with England next at 5-2. First up? Wales v Italy at 2.30pm on Saturday 1 February followed by an early Le Crunch, France v England at 5pm.
ONLY HOPES IN AUS …
It seems, are England's women cricketers, happily into their stride and continuing their campaign to retain the Ashes in Australia. They made a fine start, winning the one‑off Test by 61 runs in Perth last week and Sunday sees the first of two ODIs (both 5 Live Sports Extra) in Melbourne this week. The second is on Thursday, with the third scheduled for Hobart next Sunday before three T20s cap the series.
NFL DECIDERS …
See the places at this year's Super Bowl decided on Sunday as the Divisional Championships take place. First up in the AFC is New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm), a face-off between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Brady has a firm advantage in previous meetings, 10-4 ahead, but they are all square in championship showdowns. The Patriots' defense might have the edge, however. In the NFC the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers (Sky Sports 1, 11pm) a feisty showdown between coaches Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh, who have had no love lost between them since their college days. Likely to be exceedingly close and an absolute humdinger, the Seahawks should edge it.
RADIO DOUBLE BILL …
As 5 Live covers two disparate subjects in one fell swoop (Thursday, from 7.30pm). For Welsh rugby union fans the increasingly vexing topic of the player drain from the regional game is examined, as the WRU and the regions remain at loggerheads. It's an emotional topic but a complex one that many will appreciate being discussed. Then, immediately afterwards, there's a look forward to the Winter Olympics, with highlights from previous Games including Amy Williams, Franz Klammer and, intriguingly, Jon Turtletaub, the director of Cool Runnings.
FINAL SHAKEDOWN …
As a big week for Sochi 2014 hopeful Ellie Koyander begins as she, along with several other of Great Britain's skiers and snowboarders, are striving to make selection for the Winter Olympics. Nominations for Team GB are up for grabs, and the successful candidates will be revealed on Wednesday. On Sunday freestyle mogul skier Koyander, from Derbyshire, competes in the Val St Come World Cup in Canada in her bid to book a place in Russia. Other British athletes making a final heave for selection include the cross-country skiiers Andrew Young and Andrew Musgrave, who are in Lillehammer, Callum Smith and Alex Standen in Leys as well as Posy Musgrave, Fiona Hughes and Annika Taylor racing in the Swiss championships today.
