Ireland XV v Fiji- Sat, 5pm-RTE 2

An Ireland fifteen take on Fiji in a non-cap rugby international at Thomond Park on Saturday evening. The game is just one week before the big match against Argentina, which has become critically important to our world ranking in the wake of defeat to South Africa last week.
Expect to see lots of new faces in the Irish side as Declan Kidney looks to give some international experience to younger players and, while they won"t be earning any caps on Saturday night, the players coming into the side will be looking to earn a place in the team for the future.

Arsenal V Spurs Sat,12.45 pm-Sky Sports 1

The North London derby is rarely short on excitement or goals and the uncertainty surrounding both clubs going into Saturday"s games can only add to the spectacle for the neutral.

For close to twenty years Arsenal have enjoyed dominance over their near neighbours but with both sides looking weak this year and currently separated by just one point in the Premier League table, this could be the year that Spurs move past their rivals.

Expect both sides to go all out to win this game and give themselves some much needed breathing space with their fans.

France V Argentina- Sat, 7.55 pm- Setanta

France will be hoping to build on their big win over Australia last Saturday. The French enjoyed their first win over the Wallabies in seven years, and their biggest win in thirty six years. They go into the game in Lille full of confidence and will face an Argentina side who enjoyed an impressive 26-12 win over Wales but will be without the talismanic Felipe Contepomi.

The Welsh players have spoken of how impressed they were by Argentina, saying The Pumas have taken strides forward in recent years. With crucial world ranking points up for grabs before they meet Ireland next weekend, and a desire to prove they are no one of the top tier sides in international rugby, Argentina will pose an intimidating, physical proposition for France.

Real MadridV Athletic Bilbao- Sat, 9.00 Sky Sport 1

When it comes to politics and football there aren"t many club sides playing in the same league who as diametrically opposed to one another as Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

For many in Spain, Madrid are the establishment. They are the embodiment of the government and power. Bilbao are the Basque club, the representation of their region and a sporting release valve for a desire for autonomy. When they meet there"s usually more than football on the minds of the fans.

And it is a fact rarely lost on those who play for, or manage, the club. Following last season"s Europa League and Copa Del Rey final defeats Bielsa was recorded giving a lecture to his players, the tape was leaked and Bielsa was heard to say-

"I think it"s unacceptable, lads, to mobilise an entire people and then disappoint a people; to not be up to the illusion that you generated, because I am truly ashamed of having let down the fans of Athletic Bilbao."

Not many football clubs can, somewhat legitimately, claim to "mobilise and entire people" and not many clubs feel they have as much reason to hate Real Madrid as Athletic Bilbao.

Last season Bilbao were the darlings of the football literati. Marco Bielsa"s mad genius act was winning highbrow admiring glances and we were all enthralled by the way his young side ran, pressed and moved at break neck speed up and down the pitch. They met Real, the undisputed kings of La Liga last year, with the slenderest of hopes of halting a Madrid title win. We braced ourselves for a classic but in the end Bilbao were exhausted and Madrid ran riot. The big event never happened.

We might feel we are owed a little something from this fixture. Saturday night is as good a place to start as any.

GAA Beo- Sunday, 2.00 pm-TG4

There"s a mix of county and provincial action on GAA beo this weekend. The Ulster semi final between Errigal Ciaráin of Tyrone and Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh comes live from Clones at two o"clock, while the Galway hurling final between Loughrea and St. Thomas will be the deferred game, with coverage of the game in Pearse Stadium starting after the football.