Stag Weekends Weekend Preview 2nd September

It might not feel like the weekend is upon us, but it is. After a bank holiday weekend like last, everyone has struggled to work out what day it is this week.

Well it's Friday, and it's time to get set for another weekend of plenty of sporting action; even without any Premier League football on show! Let us run you through it.

World Cup Qualifiers

The dust seems to have only just settled since England's embarrassing Euro 2016 defeat at the hands of Iceland, but now it is time to begin the World Cup qualification campaign.

It is a new era for the Three Lions, after Sam Allardyce replaced Roy Hodgson a few weeks back. Big Sam named his first squad last Sunday, and knows he is already under pressure to get a result in his first game which is away in Slovakia on Sunday. England's opening qualifier is arguably the toughest match they will face in the group; the sides met at Euro 2016 with the game ending 0-0.

Sunday also sees England's group opponents Scotland kick-off their campaign with a trip to Malta. Gordon Strachan's side looked set for a place at Euro 2016 until a defeat to Georgia allowed the Republic of Ireland to nip in ahead of them, and it will have been difficult for their fans to watch on in the summer.

Northern Ireland also play on Sunday, and face a tough trip to the Czech Republic. Michael O'Neill will be hoping that his side can carry on their momentum from the Euro 2016 where they exceeded expectations by making it to the knockout stages.

Rugby Union Season Returns

The 2016/17 Aviva Premiership season begins this evening with the first match between Gloucester and Leicester Tigers.

Reigning champions Saracens begin their title defence tomorrow afternoon at home to Worcester. It is widely expected that Sarries will dominate again this year after winning a domestic and European double last term!

Second favourites for the title Wasps begin their campaign with a home match against Exeter Chiefs. Although it's only the first game of the season, we should have a much better idea of how the teams will fare after the opening round of fixtures.

US Open Warms Up

The Us Open begins to warm up this weekend as the tournament reaches round three. What's more exciting is that for once, we have more than one hope in the men's side of the draw!

World number 84 Kyle Edmund has surprised many with his impressive performances at Flushing Meadows, but will have to get past American home-favourite John Isner if he is to reach the fourth round.

Of course, Andy Murray is still the big British hope for the tournament, with many expecting it to be another final at a major between the Scot and Novak Djokovic.

Italian Grand Prix

The formula one season heads to Italy this weekend at the Monza circuit. Despite winning at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend Nico Rosberg will feel disappointed that he didn't make as much ground up on Lewis Hamilton as he would have anticipated.

Hamilton drove a faultless race to take him from 21^st on the starting grid to third and limit Rosberg's opportunity to hunt him down at the top. With only eight races left of the season to go, Rosberg is now going to have win the title on driving merit if he is to edge his Mercedes teammate.

Image Credits: England, Wimbledon, Sky Sports Rugby, Sutton Images