Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham Festival

"As dawn broke over Cheltenham earlier, expectant punters gathered in the centre of the course to watch leading Irish horses galloping.

"Joiner Graeme Atkinson, 43, from County Durham, was among them. He has not missed a race at the meeting since 1994.

"He told me: 'You're always excited on a morning like this. There's no burst bubbles. Nothing's been beaten yet.'"

Image source, BBC Sport

Wales have named an unchanged side for their Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday.

The only two changes from the 23-man squad that beat France come on the replacements bench, with Rob Evans coming in for Paul James and Jake Ball for Bradley Davies.

Sam Warburton will captain the side for a record 34th time.

Kevin Pietersen has been weighing in on English cricket again on social media.

And the former England batsman is in optimistic mood. He tweeted:, external "I really do think changes are going to be made and positive things are going to start to happen for the good of English cricket."

He added: "The encouraging news is that the new boss has the vision to look to open up a window to hopefully give players a better chance [to play in global T20 tournaments like the IPL and Big Bash]."

Peterborough United are appealing against the red card shown to Marcus Maddison during Saturday's 1-0 League One win over Leyton Orient.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck says it was "hard" to score the goal that knocked former club Manchester United out of the FA Cup last night.

Welbeck grew up in Manchester and came through United's academy.

"Manchester United is a club that means so much to me," he said. "I'm a fan and it's hard to knock them out.

"I'll always respect the fans, I had a lovely reception from them and I'm thankful for that."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham Festival

"Jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins have been talking tactics this morning ahead of their 'Fab Four' running on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

"Douvan (Supreme Novices' Hurdle), Un De Sceaux (Arkle Chase), Faugheen (Champion Hurdle) and Annie Power (Mares Hurdle) are all favourites.

"Bookies are fearing a windfall for punters on what is already being described as Ruby Tuesday. AP McCoy may be grabbing the headlines but Walsh is the all-time leading Festival jockey."

Qatar should be stripped of the 2022 World Cup, outgoing Fifa Executive Committee member Theo Zwanziger has said.

"The best solution would be not to play in Qatar and to rectify this wrong awarding," he told German radio station Bayern 2.

Zwanziger, the former president of the German FA, says he believes that could happen, but only if a report could provide evidence of specific breaches of Fifa ethics rules.

Image source, Getty Images

All-rounder Matt Coles has rejoined former club Kent after being released by Hampshire.

Coles, who hit the headlines in 2013 when he was sent home from an England Lions tour for disciplinary reasons, began his career at Kent before joining Hampshire in August 2013.

Kent captain Rob Key said: "Matt is a cricketer with undoubted potential with both bat and ball. It's fantastic that he has returned to the county that brought him up through the youth system."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has spoken exclusively to BBC World Service and defended Manchester United's Angel Di Maria, stating the winger's sending off against Arsenal was out of character.

Di Maria received two quick-fire bookings in FA Cup defeat to Arsenal on Monday, the second for pulling the shirt of referee Michael Oliver.

Asked if Di Maria showed such a temper in Spain Calderon says: "No he wasn't like that, I was really surprised to know what he did.

"He was a really good player with good behaviour here, never anything like this. Maybe he's a bit nervous because up to now his change (to Manchester United) hasn't been the right one.

"I know him, he's not a player who does things like that and I'm sure he will be regretting it."

Yorkshire fast bowler Jack Brooks has extended his deal through until the end of 2017.

The 30-year-old joined the county for the 2013 season and was their leading wicket-taker last year as they claimed the County Championship title.

Image source, Getty Images

As questions are asked of Louis van Gaal over Manchester United's continuing trophy drought, and Peter Moores comes under pressure as England cricket coach, we are asking you if managers should be given more time?

Ryan Stayner:, external Don't want United to become another club with a new manager every 12-18 months. Arsenal a hard team to beat, must carry on.

Jenni Mayne:, external It's ironic that you were debating if managers should be given time, then Ian Holloway gets sacked after 14 months at Millwall.

Tweet us on #bbcsportsday.

These are testing times at Old Trafford. Excluding the Community Shield, the last time Manchester United went two seasons without winning anything was 1987-89 both under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Image source, Getty Images

In his latest blog, BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty writes: "The sight of Danny Welbeck, the striker Van Gaal let go, striking the decisive blow to send Arsenal into the FA Cup semi-finals while Radamel Falcao was not even summoned from the bench as United's saviour, was heavy in symbolism.

"Van Gaal's cold explanation of Welbeck's sale to Arsenal for £16m on transfer deadline day in September was that 'he was more a substitute than a line-up player'.

"On a night that further stalled United's progress under the Dutchman, it was the celebrated Falcao who was the substitute while Welbeck was not merely a line-up player but also Arsenal's match-winner."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham Festival

"Horses are parading in front of the racecourse as the sun beats down on a warm spring day and workers arrive for the start of the Cheltenham Festival.

"About 400 horses, mainly from the UK and Ireland, will compete in a total of 28 races over four days, with £3.95m in prize money up for grabs."

Image source, Getty Images

More now on that sad story we brought you earlier this morning. Three French sports stars have been killed in a helicopter crash in Argentina, including Olympic swimming champion Camille Muffat.

Now leading figures from the world of British swimming have been paying tribute to Muffat. Rebecca Adlington, who competed against her in the 400m freestyle event (pictured together on the podium at London 2012), tweeted:, external "So sad and shocked to wake up to hear the tragic death of Camille Muffat. She was an amazing sportswoman, competitor and lovely person."

Fellow Olympic swimmer Francesca Halsall tweeted:, external "Shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Camille Muffat, taken far too young such a lovely person and inspirational athlete."

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said in a statement: "This is such sad news. Camille was a great swimmer who achieved so much and she will be missed by everyone in the swimming world. I have today sent our deepest condolences to the French Swimming President and Camille's family."

Image source, Getty Images

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini is interested in taking Manchester City's Yaya Toure to the San Siro if the Italian club can make a deal within financial fair play rules.

Mancini, who managed Toure at Manchester City, returned for a second spell at Inter in November of 2014.

"It's a question mark, we'll have to see what financial fair play brings," he told Gazzetta TV in an interview. "I'm sure we'll do some good business. Yaya Toure? He's played in almost every league, except for Germany and Italy.

"If, as seems to be the case, he wants to try Serie A we'll look into the possibility, but it won't be easy. He's a player with incredible technical ability. I've not come across many like him."

Right then, time to introduce our Get Involved topic for this morning.

What with Peter Moores's future as England cricket coach in doubt and Louis Van Gaal very much under the spotlight at Manchester United, we're asking whether coaches should be given time to develop a team, even if they fail at the first hurdle.

Roy Keane says Van Gaal must be given "two or three years" at Old Trafford, even though his first season looks destined to end trophy-less. But Jonathan Agnew believes that Moores should be replaced as ODI coach.

So should patience win out, or is it a case of 'the sooner the better' when it comes to underperforming coaches? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter at #bbcsportsday, or via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

More on that managerial departure. Holloway took over as Millwall boss in January 2014, and led the club to safety last season, finishing 19th.

This season though has seen the club slip into the relegation places, and Millwall had lost five of their last six matches.

Millwall chairman Berylson added in his statement: "This was a hard decision to take because we very much hoped that Ollie would prove to be the man to take us forward and on to the next level. I would like to thank him for his efforts, and in particular for keeping us in the Championship last May."

Millwall have terminated the contract of manager Ian Holloway.

The club are currently 23rd in the Championship, eight points from safety. Former Lions striker Neil Harris will take charge until the end of the season.

Millwall chairman John Berylson said in a statement: "Our view is that the decision to part company at this stage is in the best interests of the football club going forward."

Image source, L'Equipe

Let's have a look at what's making the sports news around Europe now.

There's a potentially very significant story on the front page of French sports daily L'Equipe. Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir has given the paper an exclusive interview in which he declares his commitment to play international football for France.

Fekir has been a real star for Lyon this season, scoring 11 goals. He had been waiting to choose between France and Algeria.

Image source, Racing Post

It's the first day of Cheltenham, so let's have a look at this morning's Racing Post.

They lead on Faugheen, hot favourite for today's Champion Hurdle. The paper reports that bookmakers are fearing a "Mullins meltdown" - trainer Willie Mullins has favourites in four of today's races.