The Bank of England must contend with a slowdown in Britain's economy but also stubborn inflation pressures when it considers whether to cut interest rates in early February as well as its message about the outlook for the rest of the year.

A weaker UK economy is expected to prompt the Bank of England to accelerate interest rate cuts; Goldman Sachs predicts up to six reductions by the end of next year. The investment bank’s analysts think that as inflationary pressures continue and economic growth slows,

Markets are greatly underestimating the likelihood that the Bank of England will need to speed up the pace of interest rate cuts, Goldman Sachs has argued. They forecast that UK interest rates could drop to 3.

British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong will miss Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday because of injury.

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations opener against England after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Sunday.

Brydon Carse's efforts with with bat and ball are in vain as England suffer a two-wicket defeat to India in the second T20 international.

Tilak Varma played a lone hand as he shepherded India across the finish line against England with an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls in the second Twenty20 on Saturday. Varma's third T20 half-century rescued India from 78-5 in the 10th over and chased down the target of 166 with four balls remaining.