rather warm weather front runs this rather warm current of air that will be over us for the next few days. through this evening and tonight, a lot of cloud across the uk. outbreaks of rain, quite gusty winds overnight, but it is going to be a very mild night. double figures pretty much across the board, bar one or two places, typically around 10—12. tomorrow morning, a lot of sunshine in the north—east and the north sea cost. later in the day, i think the cloud will build ahead of another weather front. with these southerly winds and the warm current of air, look at these temperatures, 18 in newcastle, high team is expected in belfast. we will probably exceed 20 in one or two spots across the south and east. the current of my other air is still with us on friday, the mild south—westerly, again bringing some rain towards these north—western areas. across the bulk of england and wales, we are talking about high teens. belfast also around 17. the

mail there is with us until saturday evening. saturday night into sunday, we will see slightly colder air sweeping in from the central and north atlantic. temperatures will take a dive. we are talking about the 20s up until about saturday in one or two spots, then that dive as we head into next week. of course, i am talking about the weather. that is it from you. that's the bbc news at six. you can keep up with all the latest developments on the bbc website. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm hugh ferris. our headlines this evening. going for gold... and now a pay day. athletics is the first sport to offer prize money to its olympic champions called off for the second time... and rangers accuse dundee of being �*negligent�* as their scottish premiership match is postponed and it might be time to say a prayer and hope for the best... the unique challenge of augusta and its amen corner prepare to host the first major

of the golfing year... also coming up on sportsday... seven points... the deficit london lions need to overcome to make basketball history in their euro cup final hello again. when the modern olympic games were launched in 1896 only amateur athletes were invited to compete. the current picture is a very different one. in 1986 the rule banning professionals was ended. tennis and basketball took almost immediate advantage, and today athletics became the first sport to announce it will offer prize money directly to its gold medallists in paris. just short of £2 million has been made available. with each of the 48 event winners

getting around £110,000. this is just this isjust a recognition this is just a recognition that the athletes are the stars of the show. we increase the prize money in our own championships a few years ago, and ijust wanted the athletes own championships a few years ago, and i just wanted the athletes to recognise that we don't sit here hermetically sealed assuming that their performance at an olympic games does not add a beneficiary knock on for the growth of our own sport. knock on for the growth of our own sort. a knock on for the growth of our own sort, ~ ., , ., knock on for the growth of our own sort. ~ . , . , knock on for the growth of our own sort. , ., , ., sport. matt graveling with us now, it's historically _ sport. matt graveling with us now, it's historically a _ sport. matt graveling with us now, it's historically a significant - sport. matt graveling with us now, it's historically a significant day, i it's historically a significant day, not only for the man instituted it or the athletes and world athletics itself. it or the athletes and world athletics itself. , . , . ~ or the athletes and world athletics itself. , . , ., ~ ., , ' :: or the athletes and world athletics itself. , ., ~ ., y' :: itself. it is a stark, only 170 days before things — itself. it is a stark, only 170 days before things get _ itself. it is a stark, only 170 days before things get excited - itself. it is a stark, only 170 days before things get excited for - before things get excited for the start of the paris of the biggs, but also the athletes themselves, if you were potential medallist in the

world track and field, potentially a pity coming up, worth athletes —— world athletics say they have set aside $2.1; million for their competitors in all events, and said it was a commitment to do this in 2028 in los angeles, and would extend it for the silver and bronze plays medallist as well. this money comes primarily from broadcasting that goes to the international olympics committee is that gets funnelled down to the different federations and it's tough to them how they spend it to grow their sports. i spoke to lord cole earlier and he said it's not against the spirit of the game, it's financial recognition of homage broadcasting money at the athletes bring to the sports and it should go back to them. this topic has been going all day since the news came out this morning, and split opinion with some olympic medallist. i morning, and split opinion with some olympic medallist.— olympic medallist. i don't have a real issue with _ olympic medallist. i don't have a real issue with it. _ olympic medallist. i don't have a real issue with it. i—

olympic medallist. i don't have a real issue with it. i think - olympic medallist. i don't have a real issue with it. i think our - olympic medallist. i don't have a real issue with it. i think our top | real issue with it. i think our top athletes should be earning more when the wind _ athletes should be earning more when the wind world championships and things— the wind world championships and things that the olympic games. it could _ things that the olympic games. it could be _ things that the olympic games. it could be said the vast majority of them _ could be said the vast majority of them who— could be said the vast majority of them who win a gold medal in paris will receive — them who win a gold medal in paris will receive way more than that from their sponsors, shoe companies and so forth, _ their sponsors, shoe companies and so forth, for— their sponsors, shoe companies and so forth, for winning egg olympic lold so forth, for winning egg olympic gold medal. | so forth, for winning egg olympic gold medal-— gold medal. i believe in order to net to gold medal. i believe in order to get to the _ gold medal. i believe in order to get to the tap — gold medal. i believe in order to get to the top of— gold medal. i believe in order to get to the top of that _ gold medal. i believe in order to get to the top of that pinnacle, i gold medal. i believe in order to i get to the top of that pinnacle, you need _ get to the top of that pinnacle, you need to— get to the top of that pinnacle, you need to develop _ get to the top of that pinnacle, you need to develop the _ get to the top of that pinnacle, you need to develop the grassroot - need to develop the grassroot level of the _ need to develop the grassroot level of the sport— need to develop the grassroot level of the sport and _ need to develop the grassroot level of the sport and i think _ need to develop the grassroot level of the sport and i think it— of the sport and i think it is important _ of the sport and i think it is important to _ of the sport and i think it is important to put _ of the sport and i think it is important to put back - of the sport and i think it is important to put back intol of the sport and i think it is. important to put back into the sport. — important to put back into the sport. and _ important to put back into the sport. and so— important to put back into the sport, and so if— important to put back into the sport, and so if there - important to put back into the sport, and so if there is - important to put back into the sport, and so if there is an. sport, and so if there is an excessive _ sport, and so if there is an excessive amount - sport, and so if there is an excessive amount of - sport, and so if there is an. excessive amount of money sport, and so if there is an- excessive amount of money coming through— excessive amount of money coming through amount _ excessive amount of money coming through amount we _ excessive amount of money coming through amount we need _ excessive amount of money coming through amount we need to - excessive amount of money coming through amount we need to look. excessive amount of money coming through amount we need to look at| through amount we need to look at the grassroot— through amount we need to look at the grassroot level— through amount we need to look at the grassroot level to _ through amount we need to look at the grassroot level to help - through amount we need to look at the grassroot level to help future l the grassroot level to help future generations _ the grassroot level to help future generations. so, _ the grassroot level to help future generations— generations. so, matt, it is the international— generations. so, matt, it is the international to _ generations. so, matt, it is the international to committee - generations. so, matt, it is thej international to committee who generations. so, matt, it is the - international to committee who are the guardians of the olympic ideal, part of which is amateurism, so what do they think about it? the part of which is amateurism, so what do they think about it?— do they think about it? the ioc said the have do they think about it? the ioc said they have redistributed _ do they think about it? the ioc said they have redistributed 9096 - do they think about it? the ioc said they have redistributed 9096 of - do they think about it? the ioc said | they have redistributed 9096 of their they have redistributed 90% of their income back into the sport, lots of it by the iterations of the sport who can grow the sport of the see

fit, and the ioc said that is what they should be doing, and they said thatis they should be doing, and they said that is what they're doing, they are simply reinvesting in sports, incentivising the athletes and begin the eyes to the asthmatics around the eyes to the asthmatics around the world, and it's hard to see how this will not create a two—tier system within the sports within the olympic games, looking at this and think and if they need to incentivise financial isaac —— financially there athletes to get gold or silver or bronze, and a final point, i thought to check with sebastian cole earlier, what about the paralympics, they are under a different on the big buddies so the financial incentive for paris olympics was not apply to them and they worked hard to train and upgrade their athletes over the last two years, so it would skew the optics on that and he said, he takes my point but it is not under his remit, is up to each federation and support to do what they see fit. we

appreciate your time, matt graveling in london for us. this is a familiar sight at dundee's dens park this season. a referee... a ball... and a pitch inspection. tonight's scottish premiership game against rangers has been postponed because of a waterlogged surface for the second time. it's infuriated rangers who've accused dundee of "negligence and unprofessionalism". brian mclaren is there. ranger is very unhappy indeed that this match has been postponed for a second time and there asking the spf failed to take decisive action in accordance with their rules, the match referee, who was here at 11am this morning, say at that point the pitch was playable but after another heavy bout of rain at around 3:30 p:m., he said the game was off. lstallion p:m. , he said the game was off. when we took the — p:m. , he said the game was off. when we took the culvers _ p:m. , he said the game was off. when we took the culvers of, _ p:m., he said the game was off. when we took the culvers of, that part of the pitch— we took the culvers of, that part of the pitch became waterlogged, so the .ame the pitch became waterlogged, so the game will— the pitch became waterlogged, so the game will not stand, digging for

this afternoon, with the ring that came: _ this afternoon, with the ring that came, that — this afternoon, with the ring that came, that game is no waterlogged, so it means — came, that game is no waterlogged, so it means it's unsafe. it is came, that game is no waterlogged, so it means it's unsafe.— so it means it's unsafe. it is the fifth suspension _ so it means it's unsafe. it is the fifth suspension of _ so it means it's unsafe. it is the fifth suspension of a _ so it means it's unsafe. it is the fifth suspension of a much - so it means it's unsafe. it is the fifth suspension of a much here| so it means it's unsafe. it is the i fifth suspension of a much here at this part this week, and there is an investigation said to come at some point next week, and i spoke to the club secretary and he told us what the plans are to try and remedy the situation on the pitch and ensure it doesn't happen again next season. we recognise that there is a need for investment in the pitch. clearly, we cannot— investment in the pitch. clearly, we cannot pick— investment in the pitch. clearly, we cannot pick up a pitch in the middle of the _ cannot pick up a pitch in the middle of the season, so we have to get to the close _ of the season, so we have to get to the close season and we would absolutely be doing that and we are in the _ absolutely be doing that and we are in the middle of finalising the investment that is required in the picture _ investment that is required in the picture and — investment that is required in the picture and the work required to bring _ picture and the work required to bring this— picture and the work required to bring this up to an acceptable standard.

for all the drama of last night's champions league first legs, one of the matches tonight has a real pedigree when it comes to the spectacular. ps6 and barcelona delivered one of the most extraordinary knockout ties in the competition's history seven years ago. luis enrique was barca's manager that day, and now he's the ps6 boss trying to knock them out. current barcelona manager xavi will step down from his role at the end of the season, but even though his status as a club legend is guaranteed because of his playing success with the team, enrique — who won the treble with barcelona in 2015 — believes he represents the values of barcelona better than his former team—mate. translation: it is not an opinion - look at the data in terms of ball - possession, chances on goal under the highest pressure. look at the titles, the trophies. without a doubt, me. obviously, there are others who think differently, but without a doubt, it's me. french football writer julien laurens is in paris for the match tonight, and told me it was a strange fight for luis enrique to pick on the eve of the game.

i think he meant more as a manager than anything else, because he knows, football, xavi, emphasises so much of barcelona and the way they play, where louis enrico did not go, but i think you meant more as a manager. they are both managers, who is the most useful for barcelona now, i don't think he meant a dig at xavias now, i don't think he meant a dig at xavi as well, they are still close, he still loves barcelona and has a house in barcelona, louis henrique, so i don't think it's house in barcelona, louis henrique, so i don't think its is anything you mean he meant, but if you compare the two managers, of course my record at barcelona is better than xavi. aha, my record at barcelona is better than xavi. �* , , my record at barcelona is better than xavi-— my record at barcelona is better than xavi. �* , , , ., ., than xavi. a numbers question rather than xavi. a numbers question rather than cultural. — than xavi. a numbers question rather than cultural, it's _ than xavi. a numbers question rather than cultural, it's a _ than xavi. a numbers question rather than cultural, it's a heavyweight - than cultural, it's a heavyweight site and their past suggest there will be a lackluster affair and yet neither considered serious contenders is it because of the

talents elsewhere in the draw or where the two clubs are at right now? i where the two clubs are at right now? , , . ~ where the two clubs are at right now? , , ., ~ i. ., now? i visible, thank you for reminding — now? i visible, thank you for reminding me _ now? i visible, thank you for reminding me of _ now? i visible, thank you for reminding me of the - now? i visible, thank you for i reminding me of the comeback, now? i visible, thank you for - reminding me of the comeback, as a ps refined, still very hurtful. but it's the wages, incredible history, they faced each other so many times in the last 11 years, sometimes barcelona have one, of course, including that it could look comeback, and sometimes psg have qualified, the kylian mbappe he patrick at their stadium in 2020, and this would be another chapter in this incredible legacy and classic of european football, it classic this is for two teams that may not be at their best, have struggled for different reasons at times, this season with xavi already announcing he would leave either the season and p56 with he would leave either the season and ps6 with canon and by pete leeson at the end of the season, so it could be his last game for ps6 at their home stadium tonight, which could be very special, including their

potential all—time record holderfor psg potential all—time record holderfor ps6 in the competition, so lots of storylines in this incredible two games tonight and on tuesday in barcelona, and i think the one that will come up in victory of the site will come up in victory of the site will come up in victory of the site will come to the final at emily and face world will be in the strongest in the hardest side of the draw was saw last night. last in the hardest side of the draw was saw last night-— saw last night. last night -- late last night. _ saw last night. last night -- late last night. both _ saw last night. last night -- late last night, both tyson _ saw last night. last night -- late last night, both tyson might - saw last night. last night -- late| last night, both tyson might have been subject to extra enhanced security, atletico madrid against borussia dortmund and also in paris, there is still a wild to go before there is still a wild to go before the game starts, but what sense do you have from what the french interior minister said yesterday about the increased security? more security around _ about the increased security? more security around the _ about the increased security? ire security around the stadium, i went there earlier today, and there is no doubt that the security all around the ground will be, this will not a game that was a high—security can

before, no animosity between psg game that was a high—security can before, no animosity between ps6 and barcelona finds, not an equally dense fight or anything like that, but those threats have taken this into the highest level in terms of security and risk and they will not let any still —— stone unturned, so they would advise everybody to come early at the ground for all the searching and everything and to make sure that everything is going smoothly, that we saw it on tuesday night, both in madrid and london, for the arsenal and real madrid game, so hopefully it would be fine but hopefully the french security, the wrenching police are hoping that they are very much on it. the three team merry go round that is the championship promotion race could have new leaders tonight. leicester and leeds both dropped points last night, opening the door for ipswich. a win against watford later and they'll have a two point advantage but they lost their last game so no guarantees, something that's been a theme all season at the top of the championship. we have to pick up the points, we

have to be focused for ourselves, and we have to be ready for every game, and we have the advantage, and we couldn't do it for ourselves, because obviously we are one point “p because obviously we are one point up the lead, and we hold the cards, basically, so, as much as we can, we want to win every game and hold this advantage in all her hands. england and aston villa forward rachel daly has retired from international football. the 32—year—old, who has 84 caps, started all of england's games at euro 2022 when they won their first major trophy. in a statement released on social media, daly said: "i would love nothing more than to play for england forever, but the time has come for me to hang my boots up pn the international stage. while today is an extremely difficult day for me, it is also one filled with reflection and immense gratitude. playing for and representing england

has been a privilege." prince william had this to say. the bunkers are raked, the azaleas are in bloom, and the greens, well, they're very green. the unique picture provided by augusta is about to fill our screens again with the masters to start tomorrow. the opening major of the golf year brings together players from the pga tour and liv series. with the title being defended by a player who just moved from one to the other asjoe lynskey reports. april at augusta, golf creates a spectacle, one man's greatest hope. for 15 years, rory mcelroy has tried. this is the one major he is still yet to win. last time out, he missed the cut, one year on from the runner up, it's almost one decade since his last major title, but the

best in the sport still think it will come. ida best in the sport still think it will come-— best in the sport still think it will come. ., , ., ., will come. no question, he will do it, at will come. no question, he will do it. at some _ will come. no question, he will do it, at some point, _ will come. no question, he will do it, at some point, roy— will come. no question, he will do it, at some point, roy is— will come. no question, he will do it, at some point, roy is two -- i it, at some point, roy is two —— rory is too talented and too good, and he has been playing this event for a very long time, and he will get it done, it's just a matter of when, it could be this week, you never know. it’s when, it could be this week, you never know— when, it could be this week, you never know. �* , ., ., . never know. it's flattering and nice to hear, never know. it's flattering and nice to hear. in — never know. it's flattering and nice to hear. in my _ never know. it's flattering and nice to hear, in my opinion _ never know. it's flattering and nice to hear, in my opinion the - never know. it's flattering and nice to hear, in my opinion the best - to hear, in my opinion the best there _ to hear, in my opinion the best there ever— to hear, in my opinion the best there ever to play to hear something at that, _ there ever to play to hear something at that, doesn't mean it would happen— at that, doesn't mean it would happen with you mark this is not, but he _ happen with you mark this is not, but he has — happen with you mark this is not, but he has been around game long enough _ but he has been around game long enough to— but he has been around game long enough to know i have the potential to do— enough to know i have the potential to do it. _ enough to know i have the potential to do it. i_ enough to know i have the potential to do it, i know i have the potential— to do it, i know i have the potential to do it do.- to do it, i know i have the potential to do it do. rory mcelroy is “ust one potential to do it do. rory mcelroy isiust one of _ potential to do it do. rory mcelroy isjust one of six _ potential to do it do. rory mcelroy isjust one of six uk _ potential to do it do. rory mcelroy isjust one of six uk players - potential to do it do. rory mcelroy isjust one of six uk players here, | isjust one of six uk players here, the lowest figure this century is partly down to the sports modern spit split, on the saudi back liv golf tour, it's hard to qualify, lee west and ian poster will not be

here, liv golf and pgr are still in talks for merger and until then the champion is one of the brothers, jon rahm won the masters and moved to liv golf last december in the deal worth £400 million, but no price fund can buy what you when it augusta. fund can buy what you when it au:usta. ., ., . ~ ., , augusta. having the “acket in a spot in my closet _ augusta. having the “acket in a spot in my closet where _ augusta. having the “acket in a spot in my closet where i — augusta. having the jacket in a spot in my closet where i walked - augusta. having the jacket in a spot in my closet where i walked by - in my closet where i walked by every day, inevitably once in a while you put it on, the biggest tournament in the world, no offence to anything as of the world, the most watched by people who don't even play golf, so it roger go up quite a bit. you people who don't even play golf, so it roger go up quite a bit.- it roger go up quite a bit. you guys love tot it roger go up quite a bit. you guys love to try to _ it roger go up quite a bit. you guys love to try to make _ it roger go up quite a bit. you guys love to try to make it _ it roger go up quite a bit. you guys love to try to make it sound - it roger go up quite a bit. you guys love to try to make it sound like we j love to try to make it sound like we -et love to try to make it sound like we get in _ love to try to make it sound like we get in the _ love to try to make it sound like we get in the locker room and we are fighting _ get in the locker room and we are fighting each other, it's not like that _ fighting each other, it's not like that it's — fighting each other, it's not like that. it's nothing like that. whichever tour they play on, there is no easy navigation, augusta is set up to test the mind. it can be consuming. rory mcelroy�*s first run will be scottie scheffler, the world

number one, it is quite the start to go to standout show. joe lynskey, bbc news. in just a few minutes the london lions will continue their quest for a place in basketball�*s history books. the team tip off in their second leg of their women's euro cup final against besiktas — trailing by seven points after the first game in turkey a week ago. our sports correspondent nesta mcgregor is outside the copper box in london nesta — a huge night for the team — more nerves or excitement on the ground? a huge night for the sport in country and the players on the team. the atmosphere in the crowd to get inside is building, the copper box arena holds 6000 and we are expecting it to be a near sell—out, with history potentially in the making. the maths is simple, the lands trailed basic checks —— besiktas, when by eight and the lift the trophy, when by seven and it was to overtime, anything less and they don't pull it off. it is worth saying that lands dominated

domestically, impressive with four championships in the last for years, and also domestic cups to go with it. we have been inside to watch the players training, they seem laser focused. very tough task ahead, no british team has ever been to in the final of a european championship, let alone win it. the atmosphere inside the copper box arena will be electric tonight, and we are going to speak to someone who is part of the team all achievement season, and knows them better,. sam, what chance do you give the london lions up enough tonight?— do you give the london lions up enough tonight? they have a good chance, enough tonight? they have a good chance. they _ enough tonight? they have a good chance, they should _ enough tonight? they have a good chance, they should be _ enough tonight? they have a good chance, they should be feeling - enough tonight? they have a good i chance, they should be feeling good after game one, a tough game in istanhul. — after game one, a tough game in istanbul, but they were down 18 and brought— istanbul, but they were down 18 and brought her back to seven, lots of nerves, _ brought her back to seven, lots of nerves, i— brought her back to seven, lots of nerves, i want expect that tonight, there _ nerves, i want expect that tonight, there will— nerves, i want expect that tonight, there will feel good at home and i feel good — there will feel good at home and i feel good about their chance and they will— feel good about their chance and they will too. feel good about their chance and they will too-— feel good about their chance and the will too. ., , ., , they will too. home is always good for a few more _ they will too. home is always good for a few more points, _ they will too. home is always good for a few more points, which - they will too. home is always good for a few more points, which blairl for a few more points, which blair should we look up for tonight, who would be the different spinnakers was mark? , ., , ,

was mark? this team is so deep, there's not _ was mark? this team is so deep, there's not anyone, _ was mark? this team is so deep, there's not anyone, anyone - was mark? this team is so deep, | there's not anyone, anyone could step up— there's not anyone, anyone could step up at— there's not anyone, anyone could step up at any time, but those are the key— step up at any time, but those are the key ones i looking for. sam step up at any time, but those are the key ones i looking for.- the key ones i looking for. sam is workin: the key ones i looking for. sam is working at _ the key ones i looking for. sam is working at the — the key ones i looking for. sam is working at the knights _ the key ones i looking for. sam is working at the knights game, - the key ones i looking for. sam is working at the knights game, so | the key ones i looking for. sam is i working at the knights game, so we let them get inside and get seated, worth saying, and extraordinary to say, the london lions could win the trophy tonight and not be in europe to defend her title next season, which is because the american investment firm 777, that owns part of the bus team, have decided that they are going to withdraw the woman from a european competition next season. they say it is only temporary and part of a long—term strategy, but speaking to lots of people inside, they think it would be a grave mistake, because a win here tonight to do massive things for the club and who knows, domestic basketball in the uk as well, so lots happening on and off the court. we are in store for a nail—biting 40 minutes of action, and who knows, q

or —— you may be even more. you're watching sportsday. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the headlines today.. defending champion andrey rublev is out of the monte carlo masters after a straight sets defeat to alexei popyrin, who will play fellow australian alex de minaur next in the last 16. jannik sinner and daniil medvedev were other second round winners today. st helens and england's tara jones will make history this weekend as the first woman to referee a senior professional rugby league match in the northern hemisphere. she's officiated in the challenge cup already this season and will take charge of the league one fixture between oldham and cornwall on sunday. and leeds and northern ireland midfielder stuart dallas has announced his retirement from football. the 32—year—old hasn't played for two years since suffering a knee injury in a premier league game against manchester city. england continue their women's six nations campaign on saturday with a new captain but could they... and other teams...

be playing with a new ball in the future as world rugby consider the use of a smaller one in the women's game. it was on the agenda as the engalnd squad looked ahead to their match with scotland... and sara orchard was there earlier in the press conference, the england head coach said there is no thing in his court as rotation, so he has dropped the england captain to the bench for the picture away against scotland, and named zoe all craft as his captain, she's in the back row, and she has captain england previously but still a surprise selection. on top of that we look at there being no place for emily skerritt, the centre who only placed 50 ms italy, has not featured since and it appears he says she is recovering from a calf injury at the moment, so something to keep an eye on. england will be favourites in the match against scotland but another big topic of discussion has been the trials around a slight

nurse modeller ball for women, woman currently pay with a size five, there were diplomatic answers from there were diplomatic answers from the england players. i there were diplomatic answers from the england players.— the england players. i think we are currently paying — the england players. i think we are currently paying the _ the england players. i think we are currently paying the size _ the england players. i think we are currently paying the size five - the england players. i think we are currently paying the size five ball. currently paying the size five ball and it _ currently paying the size five ball and it is — currently paying the size five ball and it is working for us, that is what _ and it is working for us, that is what we — and it is working for us, that is what we are working on, but it was rughy— what we are working on, but it was rugby have — what we are working on, but it was rugby have the research and find it will benefit us to play with a size 4.5, _ will benefit us to play with a size 45, i_ will benefit us to play with a size 45, i am — will benefit us to play with a size 4.5, i am sure we work something out with them _ 4.5, i am sure we work something out with them and maybe the younger generation, it may really help them with the _ generation, it may really help them with the growth, and if it helps keep— with the growth, and if it helps keep arrows in sport, in rugby, then why shouldn't they trial it? currently, we are sticking with the size five — currently, we are sticking with the size five. ., ., �* , currently, we are sticking with the size five. ., ., �*, ., . currently, we are sticking with the sizefive. ., �*, ., ., , size five. scotland's match against encland size five. scotland's match against england this _ size five. scotland's match against england this saturday _ size five. scotland's match against england this saturday is _ size five. scotland's match against england this saturday is schooled | size five. scotland's match against l england this saturday is schooled -- england this saturday is schooled —— sold out at the hive in edinburgh, the first time they have sold out the first time they have sold out the venue and it would be a record crowd for them, whether the scotland women can back—up their heuristics so far in the six nations against the world number one side would be the world number one side would be the true test of where they are at.

britain's most successful gymnast max whitlock has told the bbc that the olympics in paris this summer will be his last before retiring. the three—time champion is stepping up preparations as he aims to defend his pommel horse title for the last time, and he's been speaking to john watson. max, great to see you again. we gather you have some news. i'm excited to say. i suppose it feels still feels a bit weird. i've made a decision and it's the right time for me that paris 2024 olympics will hopefully be my fourth olympic games, but will also be my final olympic games. i've done the sport for 24 years. i'm 31 years old now. ifeel like in my gut and i think you've got to listen to that. yeah. it's the right time for me. how have you arrived at this decision, then? the ever since, i suppose rio olympics, where i was at my peak age,

i think i've had questions thrown at me about like, when am i retiring? i think when you get that constantly for about eight years of the last bit of my career here, you do naturally think about it. i've wanted to prove people wrong a lot of a lot of my way through my journey. and i've always had the mindset of trying to do this for as long as i possibly can. take us back to the beginning. why was it gymnastics for you? i loved it from day one. the the amount you can learn from a young age in this sport is crazy. and then i almostjust gradually took to the pommel, took to it, loved it, was massively, massively determined to just try and progress and progress. and when you do that from seven years old up to now to 31, that compounds massively. take us back to that moment when you returned from tokyo. your family couldn't be there with you, which was obviously very tough. it was a games like no other under covid restrictions.

especially after olympic games like tokyo, the previous one being a olympic games with no audience. i cannot wait for for everyone to be able to come out to paris and watch. i think it'll be an amazing olympic experience. but also like for willow to get an opportunity, i always, always said i want to try and have children younger while i'm competing at this level. and now i've given myself for the opportunity for willow to come and watch olympic games, because if she couldn't in tokyo, when i'm in arenas competing and will i wait for it to go quiet and she calls for me and we do this double thumbs up. i'd love to do that in paris olympics. did you ever think you would be heading in to what will be your final olympic games already placed as britain's most successful gymnast? never. but going for my final olympic games feels very, very strange talking about it. and it's almost hard to articulate what it's like trying to get my words out in the right way, because it's still fresh, i suppose. i think it's a really nice mindset to be in and ijust give

it all i got. to be in and ijust give max to be in and ijust give would not one of the many stories max would not one of the many stories to follow at the paris olympics, that is it for sportsday, thanks forjoining, goodbye for now. hello there. it is going to get warmer in the next few days, but the rain is not completely gone away just yet. and the rainfall that we've had this month at edinburgh botanic gardens is particularly noteworthy. so far this month, there's been 81 millimetres of rain, and afterjust ten days, that's twice the average rainfall already. and it follows on from what was the wettest march on record in edinburgh as well. now, we have had some rain in edinburgh today. the heaviest rain has been over the hills in western parts of scotland, and that cloud has been coming in on a south—westerly wind. and it's that south—westerly wind that's bringing in some warmer air from the atlantic. still some rain around this evening. and overnight, the second band of rain will push its way southwards across england and wales. the rain becoming light and patchy. following on from that, we get some clearer skies. we've still got the same south—westerly air mass,

still warm air, so temperatures are going to be a lot higher than they were last night — for many staying in double figures. heading into tomorrow, still quite cloudy across southern parts of england and wales. still a bit of light rain or drizzle, particularly in the morning. but away from here, i think we should see some brighter skies, some sunshine on the way. still got south—westerly winds, but with the sunshine, it's going to be a lot warmer. temperatures could make 19, maybe 20 degrees across parts of the midlands, lincolnshire and across east anglia. still some weather fronts, though, hanging around in the far south, and those will tend to push their way steadily northwards overnight and into friday. and they're going to take rain northwards as well. back towards northern ireland, some patchy rain, and that will push its way into northern ireland, perhaps the far north of england, but to the south it should be dry. after a cloudy start, the cloud should thin and break and we'll get some sunshine coming through. still got south—westerly winds, still very mild air, warm air. so let's look at the temperatures for friday. compare them with average. you can see we've got to 20 degrees at bury st edmunds,

six degrees above the average for this time of the year. it's a similar sort of story, really, in aberdeen, 18 degrees on friday. we're missing most of the rain that is coming into scotland. that warm air isn't going to last into the weekend, though. we are going to find cooler conditions moving down from the northwest and pressure will be falling as well. so the likelihood that things will start to turn a bit wetter. now, i think across southeastern areas, the weekend is still going to be dry. but even here, after a warm day on saturday, temperatures will be lower on sunday. but further north and west, we're more likely to have some showers at times.

7pm in london and this is the road today on bbc news with me ben the latest headlines. the moment where the hamas leader ismail haniyeh was told that three of his children had been killed in an air strike in gaza. israel says they were hamas military operatives. meanwhile, muslims in gaza have been marking the end of ramadan with fears of a fresh israeli attack. this time on the city of rafah. but there is a growing international clamour for israel to change strategies. image review finds that children find england and wales been let down by weak evidence gender treatment. and also coming up on the world today, no longer the sport of amateurs. athletes that win gold medals of the olympics will be awarded prize money as well.