Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

The 40-year-old, appointed in February after the sacking of Stuart Pearce, agreed a contract with owner Fawaz Al Hasawi last week and told BBC Radio Nottingham following the 3-1 defeat against Watford on Wednesday that the contract was "done".

"I have signed the contract which he sent me, and I have sent it back," Freedman said. "It's done.

"I don't see any hiccups. I'm delighted to be the manager of this club. I am so excited. It's a fantastic opportunity."

Image source, PA

Ireland rugby bosses open talks with national team coach Joe Schmidt with the aim of extending the New Zealander's contract until the 2019 World Cup.

Schmidt's current Ireland deal expires at the end of next season.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) know that Schmidt, 49, is likely to be a man in demand after guiding Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations triumphs.

"We're in discussions with Joe," the IRFU chief executive Philip Browne told the Irish Independent.

Image source, Getty Images

Manny Pacquiao says the timing is right for his long-awaited fight with American Floyd Mayweather.

Welterweights Mayweather, 38, and Pacquiao, 36, are considered two of the best boxers of their generation and the Las Vegas unification bout on 2 May is set to generate £162m ($250m).

"It's a good thing it is happening now because more people are informed about it than before," Filipino Pacquiao said.

"What I feel right now is motivation, inspiration and determination. The killer instinct is there, I love it."

Pacquiao's WBO belt and Mayweather's WBC and WBA welterweight titles will be on the line.

The first round gets under way at 10:00 BST on Saturday and you can follow full coverage across BBC Sport.

Here are the rest of the ties:

Stuart Bingham v Robbie Williams, Ding Junhui v Mark Davis, Mark Williams v Matthew Stevens

Mark Allen v Ryan Day, Barry Hawkins v Matt Selt, Ali Carter v Alan McManus

John Higgins v Robert Milkins, Joe Perry v Zhang Anda, Marco Fu v Jimmy Robertson

Steve Davis is asked to pick a winner but he won't be pressed. "Yeah let's have a winner, good idea," he says.

Here's a few more of the stand-out ties for you:

Ricky Walden v Graeme Dott

Mark Selby v Kurt Maflin

Judd Trump v Stuart Carrington

Stephen Maguire v Anthony McGill

Panic over as World Snooker returns to our YouTube screens, but hilariously just in time to wrap it up.

We'll have the draw in full for you shortly. Steve Davis is currently going through a round-up, cracking out a few one-liners to break the tension. , external

But the word is still coming through. Here's a few of the stand-out ties so far:

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Craig Steadman, Neil Robertson v Jamie Jones, Anthony McGill v Shaun Murphy.

Image source, World snooker/YouTube

The observant among you will have noticed that the World Snooker website is currently down, and that their YouTube channel doesn't seem to be working either.

The wonders of modern technology eh?

Image source, Reuters

One final line from Everton manager Roberto Martinez's press conference, where he was asked about his interest in Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa.

Martinez said: "We know the situation with Tom. He is a player I know well having worked with him - and that's it.

"Tom is a player that is at the moment fighting for something very important for his club and that deserves respect and I wouldn't expect anyone to speak about my players and I would never do that."

The scene is set for this morning's draw for the World Championship first round at Sheffield's iconic Crucible Theatre.

We'll be brining you coverage from about 10:30 BST and you can also follow the draw live on World Snooker's YouTube channel., external

Image source, Getty Images

The American city of Eugene will host the 2021 World Athletics Championships, the IAAF has announced.

It will be the first time the event has been staged in the United States.

The IAAF say they awarded their premier competition to Eugene without a bidding process "in response to what was seen as a unique strategic opportunity to host the IAAF World Championships for the first time in the USA".

Eugene, in Oregon, staged the World Junior Championships last year.

Nick Hope
BBC Olympic sports reporter

"Aaron Cook can compete for Moldova after the British Olympic Association (BOA) reluctantly agreed to his request to switch nations.

"Cook, 24, competed for Team GB at the 2008 Olympics, but was overlooked for London 2012, despite being ranked world number one at the time.

"His Moldovan citizenship was funded by the country's taekwondo president and billionaire Igor Iuzefovici.

"We are saddened by Aaron's decision,' said BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney.

"'Despite the fact that there is no legitimate case for nationality change here, the BOA cannot compel any athlete to represent the United Kingdom against his or her will.'"

Image source, Hartlepool United/Mark Simpson

Hartlepool's Scott Harrison is awarded the Football League's Young Player of the Month award for March.

The defender helped Pools climb from rock bottom of League Two to a point clear of the relegation zone with just three games to go.

However, the 21-year-old's career has been less than plain sailing - he was caught up in the collapse of Darlington at the age of 16.

BBC Sport spoke to Harrison to find out more about his 'School of Hard Knocks'...

Image source, Getty Images

We've all heard of the commentator's curse but rarely has it had such an immediate impact.

England test captain Alastair Cook was out straight after being praised by Michael Vaughan on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra's Test Match Special yesterday. You can enjoy here (or not).

The wicket came during England's second innings of their first Test match against the West Indies, which resumes this afternoon at about 15:00 BST. We'll have a separate live text commentary from about 14:30.

With three weeks to go before election day, this morning we're asking you: Which sporting figures would make it into your cabinet?

Mike Lawson:, external I'd want Niki Lauda in my backroom staff as a strategist. He'd also make an excellent whip.

Wez Blackett:, external Luis Suarez head of security.

Long 10:, external Van Gaal as he makes everyone love him by the end, forgetting his previous errors, making him perfect for re-election.

Get involved using #mysportgovernment, external on Twitter or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to include your name and location.

Just two points separate four teams at the top of the Championship. It's the tightest, most exciting, most nerve-racking end to the season in years.

Last night Watford to move up to third in the table. They're level on points with second-placed Norwich, who beat Leeds on Tuesday, while Middlesbrough are fourth after their win at home to Wolves.

Bournemouth are still leading the way, but only by one point, with three games to go, and Boro to face Norwich on Friday...

Image source, Getty Images

The judge who chaired the inquiry into the Bradford City fire in May 1985, which killed 56 people, has said claims it may have been started deliberately are "nonsense".

A new book by Martin Fletcher, who lost three generations of his family in the blaze, alleges it was one of at least nine fires at businesses owned or associated with the then chairman Stafford Heginbotham.

Sir Oliver Popplewell said he stood by his verdict the fire at Valley Parade was an accident.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, he said: "I'm sorry to say what is obviously a very good story, I'm afraid, is nonsense for many reasons.

"As far as I'm concerned we conducted our inquiries perfectly properly."

Image source, Arsenalpics.com

Arsene Wenger says Reading manager Steve Clarke "has good experience so he knows exactly what will happen".

"I'm sure he will prepare Reading very well", he adds. "We have learned from Wigan last season. It is always tricky. The urgency level will be high in our team."

There'll be more news on this weekend's FA Cup fixtures throughout the day. And don't forget you can watch full coverage of Reading v Arsenal from 17:05 BST on BBC One on Saturday.

Image source, Arsenal

Arsene Wenger also says his side "won't underestimate Championship opposition".

He adds: "It wouldn't be intelligent to turn up thinking we've won. They have many players who have Premier League experience, good offensive potential and are very efficient."

Reading are 18th-placed in the Championship table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Image source, Getty Images

England are in a very good position to claim their first overseas Test win since 2012 but their top order problems are brewing, according to BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.

With a 220-run lead and seven second-innings wickets in hand going into day four, the tourists will be looking to build their advantage quickly when play resumes at 15:00 BST.

However, Agnew says "there are still question marks hanging over the batting" after captain Alastair Cook and opening partner Jonathan Trott failed in both innings.

Read Aggers' column here.