into northern ireland. pushing into northern england this evening. behind it, clearing up, but turning colder, snow showers on northern scotland, gusting 60 to 70 miles an hour, so potentially disruptive. icy patches with the snow showers in northern scotland, a frost in scotland, northern ireland and northern england. but where you keep the cloud and patchy rain, the temperatures are a few degrees above freezing. so tomorrow from wales across the midlands and into east anglia and push it into southern england, that weather front, anglia and push it into southern england, that weatherfront, cloud, patchy rain turning showery. for northern england, northern ireland and scotland there is plenty of sunshine. snow showers in northern scotland. cold in northern scotland, colder elsewhere, but still a few spots in southern england and south wales into double figures. a few showers as we go into friday night. rain preaching into the south—east

on saturday and into sunday. it is cold at the weekend and there are frosty nights. that's all from the bbc news at six, so it's goodbye from me and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm jane dougall. the majesty of the masters. the greens are immaculate, the azaleas in bloom, and this time — spectators are there to watch the first round at augusta. watching on as legalist would tease off. —— in the list would. no crowds here in liverpool, but anticipation is building ahead of the grand national this weekend as the festival at aintree gets under way. and simone biles always said she would retire after tokyo and with five 0lympic medals, who could blame her?

well, she may be re—considering, but she is certain that having a covid vaccine is crucial. i would like to be vaccinated, i think it is on athletes to become advocates for that so we can stay safe and healthy. welcome to the programme. we start with golf�*s first major of the year — able to get under way at the correct time and with spectators watching on. the first round of the 85th masters at augusta national is drawing to a close with one of the favourites, bryson dechambeau just about to tee off. hideki matsuyama is top of the leaderboard on three under.

but it's not gone well for the brits so far. lee westwood has had a bit of a shocker, this is him on the. rory missing putt. ian poulter not making it on the green. he is on three over through 15 at the moment. he is on three over through 15 at the moment-— he is on three over through 15 at the moment. , , g ., , the moment. dustin johnson playing ve well. the moment. dustin johnson playing very well. could _ the moment. dustin johnson playing very well. could he _ the moment. dustin johnson playing very well. could he become - the moment. dustin johnson playing very well. could he become the - very well. could he become the fourth player to successfully defend the title? joining us is alistair bruce—ball, one. wonderful to have fans back, is it important for golf that the masters has spectators? iam i am incredibly envious watching the pictures we will be commentating over the next four nights, we are normally in a month since sitting in the grandstands enjoying that april georgia sunshine. it makes such a difference to any sporting event but there is such a special atmosphere at that golf course i do think

there's something very particular about the grounds that accompany the great shots in the balls that land in the water in a gusto. it is not as jam—packed as it would be, there are only 12,000 fans in a day but i am sure the players and bustle it, it brings a vibrancy and succumbing to the event. we it brings a vibrancy and succumbing to the event-— to the event. we have been saying that the brits _ to the event. we have been saying that the brits have _ to the event. we have been saying that the brits have not _ to the event. we have been saying that the brits have not been - to the event. we have been saying that the brits have not been doing | that the brits have not been doing well, but paul casey has rapidly shut up the leaderboard. he well, but paul casey has rapidly shut up the leaderboard. he has shut u . shut up the leaderboard. he has shut u- the ar shut up the leaderboard. he has shut up the par 58. _ shut up the leaderboard. he has shut up the par 58. he _ shut up the leaderboard. he has shut up the par 58, he is _ shut up the leaderboard. he has shut up the par 58, he is in _ shut up the leaderboard. he has shut up the par 58, he is in the _ shut up the leaderboard. he has shut up the par 58, he is in the autumn i up the par 58, he is in the autumn of his career at 43 years old, he has a good record at the masters without having crucially getting into that position to get it on the final day, he was runner—up in the pga championship last year and playing great golf. he loves it at a cost of so let's hope he keeps that going, one of thejoint cost of so let's hope he keeps that going, one of the joint leaders at the moment. i5 going, one of the “oint leaders at the moment.— going, one of the “oint leaders at the moment. , ., , ., ., the moment. is anyone else sort of a dark course — the moment. is anyone else sort of a dark course that _ the moment. is anyone else sort of a dark course that you _ the moment. is anyone else sort of a dark course that you fancy _ the moment. is anyone else sort of a dark course that you fancy christmas | dark course that you fancy christmas it is early days? i dark course that you fancy christmas it is early days?— it is early days? i think it is earl , it is early days? i think it is early. this _ it is early days? i think it is early, this is _ it is early days? i think it is early, this is one _ it is early days? i think it is early, this is one of - it is early days? i think it is early, this is one of the - it is early days? i think it is i early, this is one of the oldest cliches and sport, you can't win it

on the first day but you can certainly lose it. you can really blow your chances a bit like we have seen with westwood and rory mcilroy, we have seen rory mcilroy make charges from behind but it is so difficult to contend when the quality of the field is so high. matt fitzpatrick is a brit name that i would check in there as having a very good record at augustine. great short game, the course is playing fast and firm which will really test the short game so hopefully that has not put the knockers in. what the short game so hopefully that has not put the knockers in.— not put the knockers in. what about some of the — not put the knockers in. what about some of the favourites _ not put the knockers in. what about some of the favourites like - not put the knockers in. what about some of the favourites like bryson l some of the favourites like bryson dechambeau and justin speaks? bryson dechambeau and justin speaks? bryson dechambeau will _ dechambeau and justin speaks? bryson dechambeau will tee _ dechambeau and justin speaks? bryson dechambeau will tee off— dechambeau and justin speaks? bryson dechambeau will tee off very _ dechambeau will tee off very shortly, great excitement about what he would do this time. he came into the november masters talking a great game coming up so it was a part 67 or 68 rather than a 72 for him. those words came back to haunt him, he has a new driver in the back, he would look to attack the course,

with his short game is up to it, we will see. and injordan speaks, in terms of players who have had good records there, he was the winner in 2015, could easily have won a 2016, in fantastic form having one last week. if your money is onjordan, i think that is a decent bet. week. if your money is on jordan, i think that is a decent bet.- think that is a decent bet. there is alwa s think that is a decent bet. there is always hepe _ think that is a decent bet. there is always hepe for— think that is a decent bet. there is always hope for rory _ think that is a decent bet. there is always hope for rory mcilroy, - think that is a decent bet. there is always hope for rory mcilroy, not| always hope for rory mcilroy, not the best for round so far but what are your hopes for him? the expeetation _ are your hopes for him? the expectation is _ are your hopes for him? the expectation is not _ are your hopes for him? tie: expectation is not high are your hopes for him? tue: expectation is not high going are your hopes for him? tt2 expectation is not high going into the masters this week because of current form and he has been so honest about where his head is set at golf at the moment working with the new swing coach, pete cowan, to have the impact required and such a short space of time at such a demanding venue is going to be a massive challenge and you can see from the front nine so far rory mcilroy is not in his free swinging best i hope he will win this event one day. this year? t best i hope he will win this event one day. this year?— one day. this year? i am not so sure. one day. this year? i am not so sure- fingers — one day. this year? i am not so sure. fingers crossed _ one day. this year? i am not so sure. fingers crossed for - one day. this year? i am not so sure. fingers crossed for him. i one day. this year? i am not so - sure. fingers crossed for him. thank you very much. you can watch highlights of all four

rounds on bbc two every night and the bbc iplayer, with live radio coverage across bbc radio 5 live and sports extra from 9pm this evening. aintree got under way today preparing for this weekend's grand national. but without the buzz of packed house stance because of the pandemic, the three days of racing including the big race on saturday are taking place without any crowds. richard askham reports. it isa it is a grand national festival like no other. with the racing as competitive as ever but with winters coming home to silence rather than the usual were of the aintree crowd. really disappointing. this year is not quite as how we wanted it to be. we don't have any spectators here on site but we have fantastic racing. we are excited to be staging this event, we realise the importance not just for the racing industry preferred liverpool and merseyside. if you have been to angie, you would know normally for the grand national festival of these stands will be

packed with people already. there will be betting stalls all along here as well. i have to say, it feels pretty flat. having said that just talking to people within racing, the main thing that they have got is that particularly bearing in mind what happened last year when it had to be cancelled, that it be said is going ahead. —— at least it is going ahead. tt is at least it is going ahead. it is not going _ at least it is going ahead. it is not going to _ at least it is going ahead. it is not going to be _ at least it is going ahead. it is not going to be the _ at least it is going ahead. te 3 not going to be the same but having said all of that, i can't wait. i go racing nearly every day of the year and this is the one big day that i absolutely love. bud and this is the one big day that i absolutely love.— and this is the one big day that i absolutely love. and of course the uk and iron _ absolutely love. and of course the uk and iron pots _ absolutely love. and of course the uk and iron pots are _ absolutely love. and of course the uk and iron pots are top _ absolutely love. and of course the uk and iron pots are top horses i absolutely love. and of course the | uk and iron pots are top horses are here including tiger roll, the grand national champion who because of the way he will be caring in the handicap was switched to another race today finishing fourth. tiger is looked after by camilla sharples who is from lancashire. t is looked after by camilla sharples who is from lancashire.— is looked after by camilla sharples who is from lancashire. i have been to main street _ who is from lancashire. i have been to main street since _

who is from lancashire. i have been to main street since i _ who is from lancashire. i have been to main street since i was _ who is from lancashire. i have been to main street since i was a - who is from lancashire. i have been to main street since i was a child, l to main street since i was a child, to main street since i was a child, to he _ to main street since i was a child, to be behind the scenes with the horses— to be behind the scenes with the horses is— to be behind the scenes with the horses is exciting. the whole world stops _ horses is exciting. the whole world stops to _ horses is exciting. the whole world stops to watch the grand nationals whether _ stops to watch the grand nationals whether there is a crowd here or not, _ whether there is a crowd here or not. i_ whether there is a crowd here or not, i guarantee the whole world will stop — not, i guarantee the whole world will stop to watch the grand national. , ., . ., , national. tiger pro'ect name is the bit miss national. tiger pro'ect name is the his miss an _ national. tiger pro'ect name is the his miss an the _ national. tiger project name is the big miss on the list _ national. tiger project name is the big miss on the list for _ national. tiger project name is the big miss on the list for saturday's. big miss on the list for saturday's national with the favourite kind of cap gnomic owned by preston north and football club owner trevor hemmings. tt and football club owner trevor hemmings— hemmings. it will be great for trevor hemmings _ hemmings. it will be great for trevor hemmings to _ hemmings. it will be great for trevor hemmings to win - hemmings. it will be great for trevor hemmings to win the l hemmings. it will be great for - trevor hemmings to win the grand national. he loves having winners here so it will be one for the romantics if his horse were to win the grand national. he romantics if his horse were to win the grand national.— the grand national. he is well fancied a head _ the grand national. he is well fancied a head of _ the grand national. he is well fancied a head of a _ the grand national. he is well fancied a head of a unique - the grand national. he is well. fancied a head of a unique grand national that will be watched by a handful of people inside the racecourse and about 500 million on television around the world. richard askham, bbc news. it has been a great day for us to alex ferguson, the former manchester united manager had to share in the first three minutes and with a hat trick was completed by a horse

written by harry compton and trained ljy written by harry compton and trained by paul nichols. written by harry compton and trained by paul nichols-— by paul nichols. fergus winning it u . by paul nichols. fergus winning it u- in by paul nichols. fergus winning it no in liverpool. — by paul nichols. fergus winning it up in liverpool, how— by paul nichols. fergus winning it up in liverpool, how about - by paul nichols. fergus winning it up in liverpool, how about that? l up in liverpool, how about that? that was his words not mine. it was a great performance out of the top drawer for a great performance out of the top drawerfor him, one of his best performances, to showing the keeping of the last few years, we put him in right today. still to come on sportsday... northern ireland women face the biggest moment in the history of their team against a side 25 places higher in the rankings. that is next. we will go into this game underdogs and we know and understand that but if we fear nobody and we will give absolutely everything in these two games. == nobody and we will give absolutely everything in these two games. -- we don't fear anybody. _ the quarterfinals of the europa league get under way shortly. arsenal are at home in their first leg against slavia prague, a team who have knocked out both leicester city and rangers in this season's competition. manchester united face granada in southern spain. 0le gunnar solskjaer is still looking for his first trophy as united manager and this competition looks like their best

opportunity this season. if you get the chance to play in a quarterfinal in europe for man united, every player knows that this is a massive game and it's an important game for you. and for me as well. i'm the manager and i know that, of course, it is just of the first half in a two—leg affair, but it is a big game for us. swansea city say they'll boycott social media for the next seven days to take a stand against continuing online racist abuse. three of their players have been targeted recently and the championship club say the first team squad, their women's side, academy professionals and club staff will not post anything on any social media channels for a week. if this gets people thinking about what else can be done, then good. i think that's really important and we are at a time now of the season where it is the real business end.

everybody is fighting for something, for league position etc, but this is a fight that i think we need to do together. we really need to stay strong and if we are helping the cause with the stance we have taken, then i think that can only be a positive thing. birmingham city women will play their home matches at st andrew's next season if they stay up in the wsl. confirmation came in a statement issued by the club, reacting to a letter sent from the women's team, raising a series of complaints. the squad highlighted a lack of support for them compared to that given to the men's team. their concerns included players earning less than the minimum wage, delays over treatment for injuries, a lack of access to the training—ground gym and changing rooms and travel arrangements for away fixtures. the football association has opened an investigation. northern ireland continue their mission to qualify for next years women's european championships as they travel to take on ukraine tomorrow evening in the first of two play—off ties. it's a huge task —

not only are ukraine ranked 25 places above them in the world rankings — but 20 years ago, northern ireland women didn't even have a senior squad. lydia campbell has the story. she has a go from distance and particle at this is expected in november that scared northern ireland do something special, finishing second in the european temperature qualifying group, they said a playoff spot for a chance to make their final state be. said a playoff spot for a chance to make theirfinal state be. but said a playoff spot for a chance to make their final state be. but it has not been a simple journey. back in 2000 the team only played friendly�*s and after a defeat to scotland, the ifa disbanded the senior set up completely. brute scotland, the ifa disbanded the senior set up completely. we were returnint senior set up completely. we were returning and _ senior set up completely. we were returning and the _ senior set up completely. we were returning and the decision - senior set up completely. we were returning and the decision was - senior set up completely. we were i returning and the decision was made that neck_ returning and the decision was made that neck i_ returning and the decision was made that neck i was 17 at the time. i had only— that neck i was 17 at the time. i had only made my debut the month before _ had only made my debut the month before in_ had only made my debut the month before in the celts cup and that was it it was _ before in the celts cup and that was it it was snatched away from you, that was — it it was snatched away from you, that was gone, it was devastating. it

that was gone, it was devastating. it was _ that was gone, it was devastating. it was a _ that was gone, it was devastating. it was a huge decision forcing some players to even switch allegiances. before the team was eventually brought back four years later. by then ifa had put their money into youth development and one of the first to benefit was everything forward simone mikell. t first to benefit was everything forward simone mikell. i remember tla int forward simone mikell. i remember playing from _ forward simone mikell. i remember playing from under— forward simone mikell. i remember playing from under13, _ forward simone mikell. i remember playing from under 13, under - playing from under 13, under fifteens, _ playing from under 13, under fifteens, under17th playing from under 13, under fifteens, under 17th and seniors, they— fifteens, under 17th and seniors, they have — fifteens, under 17th and seniors, they have back women's development and but _ they have back women's development and put these paths in place, we are starting _ and put these paths in place, we are starting to— and put these paths in place, we are starting to see the reports of that. what _ starting to see the reports of that. what had — starting to see the reports of that. what had seemed like an unthinkable decision in 2000 is now making sense. do you think it has in the long run paid off?— sense. do you think it has in the long run paid off? yes, probably on a wider stance _ long run paid off? yes, probably on a wider stance for _ long run paid off? yes, probably on a wider stance for suppressing - long run paid off? yes, probably on a wider stance for suppressing for l a wider stance for suppressing for me and _ a wider stance for suppressing for me and players of my age and older, that was— me and players of my age and older, that was a _ me and players of my age and older, that was a huge loss to us but yes arguably— that was a huge loss to us but yes arguably the structures are now in place _ arguably the structures are now in place that— arguably the structures are now in place that weren't in place and ultimately now we are competing and we have _ ultimately now we are competing and we have got to a playoff which is huge _ we have got to a playoff which is huge for— we have got to a playoff which is

huge for us at the nation now faces its biggest — huge for us at the nation now faces its biggest challenge and the squad have not— its biggest challenge and the squad have not played competitive football since november.— since november. obviously with covid, what _ since november. obviously with covid, what has _ since november. obviously with covid, what has impacted - since november. obviously with covid, what has impacted a - since november. obviously with covid, what has impacted a lot i since november. obviously with l covid, what has impacted a lot of people _ covid, what has impacted a lot of people in— covid, what has impacted a lot of people in a — covid, what has impacted a lot of people in a lot _ covid, what has impacted a lot of people in a lot of— covid, what has impacted a lot of people in a lot of different - covid, what has impacted a lot of people in a lot of different ways i people in a lot of different ways and obviously— people in a lot of different ways and obviously it _ people in a lot of different ways and obviously it is— people in a lot of different ways and obviously it is not— people in a lot of different ways and obviously it is not ideal- people in a lot of different waysj and obviously it is not ideal that people in a lot of different ways l and obviously it is not ideal that a vast majority _ and obviously it is not ideal that a vast majority of _ and obviously it is not ideal that a vast majority of the _ and obviously it is not ideal that a vast majority of the girls - and obviously it is not ideal that a vast majority of the girls who - and obviously it is not ideal that al vast majority of the girls who were already _ vast majority of the girls who were already out — vast majority of the girls who were already out of— vast majority of the girls who were already out of season _ vast majority of the girls who were already out of season have - vast majority of the girls who were . already out of season have struggled to find _ already out of season have struggled to find a _ already out of season have struggled to find a way— already out of season have struggled to find a way to — already out of season have struggled to find a way to play _ already out of season have struggled to find a way to play competitive - to find a way to play competitive matches — to find a way to play competitive matches but _ to find a way to play competitive matches but we _ to find a way to play competitive matches but we fear— to find a way to play competitive matches but we fear nobody- to find a way to play competitive matches but we fear nobody and to find a way to play competitive . matches but we fear nobody and we are going _ matches but we fear nobody and we are going to — matches but we fear nobody and we are going to go— matches but we fear nobody and we are going to go in— matches but we fear nobody and we are going to go in and _ matches but we fear nobody and we are going to go in and give - matches but we fear nobody and we are going to go in and give it - are going to go in and give it absolutely— are going to go in and give it absolutely everything - are going to go in and give it absolutely everything in - are going to go in and give it. absolutely everything in these are going to go in and give it - absolutely everything in these two games _ absolutely everything in these two tames. , , ., z: absolutely everything in these two tames. , ., 11, ., , absolutely everything in these two tames. , ., z: , ., absolutely everything in these two lames- , ., f, , ., , ., ., games. just over 20 years on from their lowest — games. just over 20 years on from their lowest point, _ games. just over 20 years on from their lowest point, this _ games. just over 20 years on from their lowest point, this team - games. just over 20 years on from their lowest point, this team is - games. just over 20 years on from | their lowest point, this team is now just two matches away from the biggest high. lydia campbell, bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other sports news stories making the headlines today. the french open has been postponed by a week in the hope that more spectators will be permitted to attend. france is in a third nationwide lockdown amid a surge in coronavirus cases. the french tennis federation said postponing was the "best solution". sarah hunter will play her first england game for 13 months when they face italy on saturday in the women's six nations.

hunter comes straight back into the side and will reclaim