Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro

Image source, PA Media

Sometimes it's about a bigger picture.

Scotland took a sore one as they opened the Commonwealth Games netball with a thumping 74-44 defeat by New Zealand, but the events of Saturday morning were about much more than just the contest on court.

The biggest ever crowd for netball in Scotland was inside the cavernous Hydro for the 09:00 BST start as the sport was given a priceless platform.

"We're so grateful," said goal shooter Emma Barrie, who scored 20 of the hosts' points. "We don't get many events like this in netball.

"It's so special for women's sport and for all these little girls to be able to see it. When I came to the 2014 Games, that was the start of netball for me."

Defeat in their first of five group games was not unexpected given the Scots' opposition were the world's second best side.

The more significant test comes against Wales on Sunday (09:00) as they endeavour to improve on their ninth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago.

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

A better showing from Northern Ireland who capitalise on England's errors to produce a better quarter losing 17-11.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI at Hydro

Another competitive quarter from Northern Ireland, who manage to score four more goals than they did in the first.

Goal shooter Lisa Bowman has impressed on her return to the team after an eight-year hiatus.

The hooter sounds for half-time and England are well on their way to a comprehensive victory.

Northern Ireland were much-improved from the first quarter, limiting England to just 17 goals in that second quarter and scoring 11 themselves.

This one is going as expected, though, with Olivia Tchine leading the way for the Roses with 25 goals, Sasha Glasgow has 12 from 12 shots and Lois Pearson has had a stint at goal attack as well, scoring four.

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

Nottingham Forest head coach Chelsea Pitman was in the Hydro on media duties earlier on but I'm sure she'll have her eye across this game with four of her players on the court.

New recruit Imogen Allison from the SSN (Australian League), and Jayda Pechova of England facing up against team-mates Niamh Cooper and Evelyn McCagherty of Northern Ireland.

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland at SEC

Image source, Team Scotland

Nicholas Devlin usually spends his Saturday mornings in Aldi in East Kilbride. Shelf stacking. Cleaning up. Bit of work on the tills.

Not this week, though. This week he was fighting for Scotland.

The 25-year-old delivered an accomplished performance in front of family, friends and team-mates at the SEC to see off Finbar O'Sullivan of New Zealand this morning in the men's lightweight category.

Devlin's win was unanimous, taking all three rounds, to move into the last 16 and within two bouts of securing at least a bronze medal.

His target is gold, though, with the prospect of turning professional on the horizon and leaving behind his days in the supermarket.

"I've used up my holidays this year so I've had to take time off unpaid," Devlin told BBC Sport Scotland. "But they've been a great support to me, letting me work round my training and stuff, so I can't thank them enough.

"I'd pick this any day of the week, though..."

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

Image source, Getty Images

Interception, turnover, goal. A beautiful interception from Nottingham Forest's Jayda Pechova. The goal-keeper swept up at the NSL awards at the end of the 2026 season, with her brilliant form recognised by fans and players alike.

With just six caps to her name, she has already shown she is more than a match against the NSL’s best shooters.

Strong start to the second quarter from Northern Ireland with a little bit of sloppiness from England.

The lead still remains a significant one and will continue to grow as Jayda Pechova shows some brilliant defensive work.

England have settled again now, though, and starting to extend the lead.

Image source, Getty Images

After Duncan Scott nearly blew the roof off the Tollcross Swimming Centre last night, it has been another busy morning of heats in the pool.

From a home nations perspective, the main stories have come from Angharad Evans, Freya Colbert and Sean McCann. Will Ellard and Bethany Firth have also positioned themselves as real medal contenders.

Scotland's Evans was the quickest qualifier for Sunday's 100m breaststroke final as she won her heat. McCann - the brother of Madeleine McCann - admitted his surprise at qualifying for the men's 400m freestyle final.

In the hotly contested women's 200m freestyle, England's Freya Colbert broke up the Australians at the top by progressing as third fastest - a spot ahead of Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan. Freya Anderson, also of England, will also contest the final on Saturday night.

England's Ellard and Northern Ireland's Firth were fastest in the men's and women's 200m freestyle S14 heats respectively and elsewhere Cam McEvoy, one of Australia's big stars, entered the pool in the 50m freestyle.

He safely progressed, as did England's Jacob Mills.

After a disqualification in yesterday's men's event, Wales joined England, Scotland and the Isle of Man in Saturday evening's mixed 4x100m freestyle relay final. Olympic silver medalist Matt Richards will come into the squad for that one.

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

Image source, Getty Images

It’s been important for this England squad to take time to settle in following disruptions in their build-up to the Games.

Jess Thirlby, stepped down as England head coach in March, citing personal reasons. Assistant head coach Anna Stembridge has assumed the role on an interim basis.

That’s not all, England have also suffered two key injuries. Iconic Commonwealth Gold medallist goal-shooter Helen Housby and wing-attack Natalie Metcalf have both withdrawn due to injury, with Ella Clark being called up from the reserves.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI

Northern Ireland recorded their highest ever finish of seventh the last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow in 2014.

Caroline O'Hanlon, Niamh Cooper and Fionnula Toner are the three survivors from that squad that are back for their fourth Games 12 years later.

It was always going to be a tough ask for Sheonah Forbes's side to get a result in this first game with England one of the favourites to claim a medal at these Games, but O'Hanlon said earlier this week that the squad want to test themselves against the best.

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland in Glasgow

It was confirmation of news we all suspected might come.

Eilish McColgan was always intending to give herself every chance of making it to the start line in Glasgow, and every chance of competing in front of a home crowd.

Mum Liz was cautiously optimistic speaking to BBC Sport earlier in the week but, after some final training sessions, they have decided it is just too much.

It robs the Games of another big name, and Team Scotland of a poster girl as well as a genuine medal chance despite her move to road racing in recent seasons.

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

A big first quarter for the Roses who dominate with a 24-7 scoreline. For reference Australia led Tonga 23-12 after Q1 and went onto to win the game 99-38.

Dominant stuff from England to open up a big lead.

Just one miss on 25 shots so far, clinical from Sasha Glasgow and Olivia Tchine.

A strong showing so far from the Roses.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI

A week ago Caroline O'Hanlon was lining out for Armagh Ladies in a gaelic football All-Ireland semi-final against Galway.

Now the 41-year-old dual-sport athlete is playing centre in her fourth Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland against England.

Some going.

• 14:00-17:30 - netball - Pool A England v Northern Ireland followed by Pool B Wales v Uganda
• 14:30-18:00 - 3x3 basketball - including men's Pool B England v Fiji (15:45) and women's Pool B England v Scotland (17:00)
• 14:30-18:00 - 3x3 wheelchair basketball - including women's Pool B Scotland v Nigeria (16:10) and men's Pool B Wales v Malaysia (16:35)
• 15:00-22:15 - bowls and Para-bowls - men's singles, women's pairs and Para-mixed pairs B2-B3
• 15:45-20:30 - artistic gymnastics - women's team final and individual qualification events
• 18:00-22:00 - boxing - including men's 80kg round of 32 Wales' Daniel Pitt v Samoa's Dee Ioapo (19:30) and Scotland's Alan Perrie v Australia's Paul Trainor (19:45)
• 19:00-21:30 - 3x3 basketball - including men's Pool B England v Kenya (19:50) and women's Pool B Singapore v Scotland (19:25) and New Zealand v England (21:05)
• 19:00-22:15 - swimming and Para-swimming - eight finals (schedule to follow later)
• 19:00-22:30 - netball - Pool B Jamaica v Trinidad & Tobago followed by Pool A South Africa v Malawi

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI at the Hydro

The message from Northern Ireland head coach Sheonah Forbes is being barked loud and clear, stay concentrated and in the fight.

They've done as well as to be expected in this opening quarter, but England's quality has shone through as it has worn on.

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

England getting off to fast start which will help settle some nerves out there on court. Just two of the 12 player squad have competed at a Commonwealth Games before: Eleanor Cardwell and Imogen Allison.

But that's not to say there isn't experience in this England Roses side, if Funmi Fadoju takes the court today she'll earn her 50th cap.

Scotland's Eilish McColgan has been ruled out of defending her 10,000m title after failing to recover sufficently from a foot fracture.

McColgan, 35, emulated mother Liz by winning gold in Birmingham four years ago in one of the most iconic moments of that event.

Battling through a toe injury in April's London Marathon led to an undetected stress fracture.

And, despite cautious optimism that she had recovered enough to race on Monday at Scotstoun, McColgan has taken the decision to withdraw.

Sophia Hartley
BBC World Service in Glasgow

I’ve been told today that England were itching to get on the court as they start their Commonwealth Games campaign and improve on their fourth place finish at Birmingham 2022.

They’ve had good preparation, with a week-long training camp St George’s Park followed by two weeks at Loughborough University before heading up to the games.