Radio 5 Live to air Challenge Cup draw

BBC Radio 5 Live has confirmed plans to broadcast the draw for Rugby League's Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round later this month.

On March 20 at 1pm, Colin Murray will be joined by former Great Britain coach Brian Noble and reporter George Riley for the live draw.

After the process is complete, Murray will get reactions from coaches, players and special guests in the studio about the ties, which will go ahead in May.

Also today, Radio 5 Live has announced a host of shows in Liverpool next month to mark the run-up to the most prestigious horse race in the world, the Grand National.

Before the big race gets underway on April 9, the station will run its biggest ever edition of Fighting Talk in front of 2,000 people at the Epstein Theatre, formerly the Neptune. Colin Murray will chair the broadcast, joined by Mike Parry, Bob Mills and Steve Bunce.

On April 6, Eleanor Oldroyd will host a Q&A event at the Epstein with members of the BBC's horse racing team, including Clare Balding, Mick Fitzgerald, Cornelius Lysaght and John Hunt.

Richard Bacon's afternoon show on April 7 will come live from Aintree, where he will talk to race-goers and sample the atmosphere. In the evening, Tony Livesey will present a debate show live from the Epstein Theatre.

Murray will host a special edition of Kicking Off on April 8 from 7pm, featuring 2010 Grand National winner Tony McCoy.

Discussing the programmes, Radio 5 Live controller Adrian Van Klaveren said: "The Grand National is a massive showpiece event that really excites the country. We'll be at the heart of the action throughout this great festival with large parts of Radio 5 Live In Liverpool to share the experience."