some a month's worth of rain in some parts of london, quite nasty flooding. we have a lot of sunshine and dry weather to come over the next few days. weather patterns are getting kind of stuck. those severe thunderstorms have been affecting parts of europe, particularly west germany. nasty flooding there. we get an area of high pressure, sticking around even into next week. quite a long spell of dry weather. it will eventually turn increasingly sunny. before we get there, we have clouds drifting southwards overnight tonight. that will stop temperatures falling very far. quite an uncomfortable night for some, for example liverpool, temperatures falling no lower than around 16 degrees tonight. quite a warm start the day already on thursday. there will be a bit more cloud round for england and wales, but that will turn and break up. spells of sunshine coming through. the sunniest afternoon weather will be across scotland, northern ireland, northern england. in that sunshine, low to mid 20s. probably 25 for eastern scotland. very warm across southern wales and south—west england. 25—26 on the cards here.

through friday, the high pressure continues to move across the uk and build. lots of sunshine, the northwest seeing a little bit more on patchy cloud. even here it should be dry and bright. in the sunshine, temperatures continuing to rise. 23 in aberdeen, 26 by the for birmingham. for cardiff and for london as well. this fine, dry, sunny weather is going to last for most of us into the weekend, although it probably stays cloudy for the northern isles. scotland, northern ireland, parts of northern england, low to mid 20s widely. even hotter for wales, england, low to mid 20s widely. even hotterfor wales, the england, low to mid 20s widely. even hotter for wales, the midlands, england, low to mid 20s widely. even hotterfor wales, the midlands, east anglia and southern counties of england. through the weekend, we will see temperatures getting close to the 30 degrees mark. too hot for some, for sure. at that fine, sunny and warm weather is on the way, like it or not. 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 lizzie greenwood—hughes, here's a look of what we have coming—up tonight... golf's oldest major is back, we'll be live at royal st george's — looking ahead to the open championship which starts tomorrow. a remarkable recovery for alun wynnjones means he will get to take part in a fourth lions tour. and as rafa benitez begins a new era at everton — he says he does have the support of fans. also coming up in the programme... the tour de france rolls to a mountainous climax and it's defending champion and race leader — pogacar who claims the 17th stage in the pyranees. and we look ahead to the british grand prix at silverstone where1a0,000 people are expected at the track this weekend.

wow what a weekend of sport we have ahead, let's look at the open golf first then. we've had to wait 2 years because of covid but it's back, with fans and tomorrow morning at 6.35 the first player will tee off at royal st george's in kent. ben croucher reports. teeing it up at last on the kent coast. better late than never. the open championship real st. george's is one of goals most fearsome challenges whether it's the devil is roughly swirling sea breeze or the fairways and greens the players are in for a bumpy ride. it’s fairways and greens the players are in for a bumpy ride.— in for a bumpy ride. it's “ust not as exciting * in for a bumpy ride. it's “ust not as exciting i i in for a bumpy ride. it's 'ust not as exciting i don't h in for a bumpy ride. it's 'ust not as exciting i don't know_ in for a bumpy ride. it'sjust not as exciting i don't know why - in for a bumpy ride. it'sjust not - as exciting i don't know why whether it be a couple of shots to nothing.

you know, a couple of blind, a couple of tea shots shots where you can't really see much i'm not too big a fan of that.— can't really see much i'm not too big a fan of that. few tournaments, few tournaments _ big a fan of that. few tournaments, few tournaments provide _ big a fan of that. few tournaments, few tournaments provide such - few tournaments provide such unpredictability. ben curtis ranked 300 and 96 in the world when he won in 2003. or darren clark's unexpected emotional triumph a decade ago. the game has come along way since then but when the lies are uneven things goff could be a real leveler. pi, uneven things goff could be a real leveler. �* w' uneven things goff could be a real leveler. . a ., ., leveler. a ticket i got a little more experience _ leveler. a ticket i got a little more experience and - leveler. a ticket i got a little i more experience and matured leveler. a ticket i got a little - more experience and matured i've been _ more experience and matured i've been able — more experience and matured i've been able to play this championship a little _ been able to play this championship a little bit _ been able to play this championship a little bit better. hopefully i can continue — a little bit better. hopefully i can continue that record this week. but it's not just — continue that record this week. emit it's notjust the players continue that record this week. emit it's not just the players that are it's notjust the players that are happy to be back here at st. george's this week we have fans as well. each day of competition up to 32,000 will be in attendance. it’s 32,000 will be in attendance. it's lovel to 32,000 will be in attendance. it�*s lovely to get out. 32,000 will be in attendance. it's lovely to get out. it's _ 32,000 will be in attendance. it's lovely to get out. it's absolutely l lovely to get out. it's absolutely excellent _

lovely to get out. it's absolutely excellent. in _ lovely to get out. it's absolutely excellent. in practice _ lovely to get out. it's absolutely excellent. in practice he - lovely to get out. it's absolutely excellent. in practice he is- excellent. in practice he is probably— excellent. in practice he is probably because - excellent. in practice he is. probably because everything excellent. in practice he is- probably because everything is up close _ probably because everything is up close. ,, ., , probably because everything is up close. ., , ., , close. spain really fun actually seeini close. spain really fun actually seeing somebody _ close. spain really fun actually seeing somebody faces - close. spain really fun actually seeing somebody faces with i close. spain really fun actually| seeing somebody faces with up close. spain really fun actually - seeing somebody faces with up with rory mcelroy playing over and the putting _ rory mcelroy playing over and the putting green over there which is really. _ putting green over there which is really, wow. he was literally five metres _ really, wow. he was literally five metres in — really, wow. he was literally five metres in front of me.— really, wow. he was literally five metres in front of me. really cool. it's metres in front of me. really cool. it's amazing _ metres in front of me. really cool. it's amazing especially _ metres in front of me. really cool. it's amazing especially during - metres in front of me. really cool. it's amazing especially during the i it's amazing especially during the southeast the weather is perfect. the guy gives can be raining, it's amazing, it's nice to be here. don’t amazing, it's nice to be here. don't be full by the _ amazing, it's nice to be here. don't be full by the picture-perfect - be full by the picture—perfect location. there are hazards everywhere you look. for the man who becomes the king of royal st. george's come sunday evening, he will have truly earned it. well let's go live to the course and speak to ben. it's great to have the open back and with fans, what's the atmosphere like there? absolutely. it's been a really chilled atmosphere over the last couple of days. just seeing the practice rounds, we got the second

hole behind us. it's undulating fairways. it is a picture postcard of a course was up in the players have been really relaxed, really jovial playing the practice runs and the fanzine really grateful just to be back watching some live golfers are pleased to say the former european open champion andrew murray joined us now. what have you made of it so far? ibis joined us now. what have you made of it so far? a joined us now. what have you made of itsofar? r joined us now. what have you made of itsofar? ,~ it so far? as you say, very chill. feel slightly _ it so far? as you say, very chill. feel slightly muted _ it so far? as you say, very chill. feel slightly muted in _ it so far? as you say, very chill. feel slightly muted in some - it so far? as you say, very chill. i feel slightly muted in some ways it so far? as you say, very chill. - feel slightly muted in some ways but ithink— feel slightly muted in some ways but i think that _ feel slightly muted in some ways but i think that some of it is because certainly— i think that some of it is because certainly in — i think that some of it is because certainly in the media centre there is no _ certainly in the media centre there is no american journalist, certainly in the media centre there is no americanjournalist, no oversea _ is no americanjournalist, no oversea journalists really. that doesn't — oversea journalists really. that doesn't quite seem the same. but out on the _ doesn't quite seem the same. but out on the golf— doesn't quite seem the same. but out on the golf course i think everyone, you've _ on the golf course i think everyone, you've nailed it. everyone isjust grateful— you've nailed it. everyone isjust grateful to— you've nailed it. everyone isjust grateful to be out watching some golf _ grateful to be out watching some golf. what a place to watch golf. this is _ golf. what a place to watch golf. this is absolutely as good as it gets — this is absolutely as good as it iets. ., , , ., this is absolutely as good as it iets. .,, , ., ,': i: i: i: ., gets. hopefully having 32,000 in for each da s gets. hopefully having 32,000 in for each days may _ gets. hopefully having 32,000 in for each days play. and _ gets. hopefully having 32,000 in for each days play. and we _ gets. hopefully having 32,000 in for each days play. and we mentioned i gets. hopefully having 32,000 in for. each days play. and we mentioned the course and how tricky it is. just put into context the challenge the sandwich poses. this

put into context the challenge the sandwich poses.— sandwich poses. this course is brutal. sandwich poses. this course is brutal- and — sandwich poses. this course is brutal. and brutal _ sandwich poses. this course is brutal. and brutal as - sandwich poses. this course is brutal. and brutal as the - sandwich poses. this course is brutal. and brutal as the wind | brutal. and brutal as the wind blows — brutal. and brutal as the wind blows its— brutal. and brutal as the wind blows. it's blowing a little bit more — blows. it's blowing a little bit more from a northerly direction, which _ more from a northerly direction, which is — more from a northerly direction, which is unusual. the weather over the last— which is unusual. the weather over the last month has had a massive bearing _ the last month has had a massive bearing over the course and how it will be _ bearing over the course and how it will be played. the root is brutally, _ will be played. the root is brutally, it/ and it's very long and you've _ brutally, it/ and it's very long and you've got — brutally, it/ and it's very long and you've got to stay out of the rough. the person— you've got to stay out of the rough. the person who is going to drive the ball the _ the person who is going to drive the ball the best needs fairways notoriously undulated, quirky, unpredictable whoever wins this week is going _ unpredictable whoever wins this week is going to _ unpredictable whoever wins this week is going to be a great champion. it is going to be a great champion. [it could is going to be a great champion. could be a is going to be a great champion. it could be a bit of a loss for you. all of those players who do you think at the of the leaderboard? this think at the of the leaderboard? as i could be a lottery, skin to be the person— i could be a lottery, skin to be the person placed the best golf the guy that drives the ball at the stratus is can— that drives the ball at the stratus is can have — that drives the ball at the stratus is can have the best chance. obviously _ is can have the best chance. obviously the best parts in the number— obviously the best parts in the number of parts. i quite fancy a british— number of parts. i quite fancy a british winner, an english minor which _ british winner, an english minor which would be a great scoop for the

52 years _ which would be a great scoop for the 52 years the — which would be a great scoop for the 52 years the last of the splinter in england _ 52 years the last of the splinter in england for the fleet, westwood looks _ england for the fleet, westwood looks very chill. the 14th he looks in a great — looks very chill. the 14th he looks in a great place and is playing a lovely. — in a great place and is playing a lovely, played well last week in scotland~ — lovely, played well last week in scotland. loves the place and drives it well, _ scotland. loves the place and drives it well, parts great.— it well, parts great. absolutely. we are very much _ it well, parts great. absolutely. we are very much looking _ it well, parts great. absolutely. we are very much looking forward - it well, parts great. absolutely. we are very much looking forward to i it well, parts great. absolutely. we | are very much looking forward to it. we've got the first tee shots. richard bland has the honour of that. just after 630 in the morning. you can follow coverage a course on bb c radio five live and the bbc sport website. late night early start for you tomorrow morning. let's move on to rugby union and there's some great news today for the british and irish lions today because it's been announced that tour captain alun wynjones is well enough to return to south africa following his dislocated shoulder last month. well earlier i spoke to our rugby union reporter sara orchard who explained just how remarkable his come back is.

it's just 18 days and see stuff that this location and the warm—up match with japan. many thought his door was over, murray was named as the test captain and his place. he's resumed training with wales the last week and following that return to training only this morning medical staff had passed him fit to return for that we understand he's going out thursday and this is going to create a huge buzz around the lions. no doubt will really increase pressure for places on the test sites. of course that first task will be under way a week on saturday. will be under way a week on saturday-— will be under way a week on saturda . , ., , , , , saturday. obviously, the first is not for little _ saturday. obviously, the first is not for little while. _ saturday. obviously, the first is not for little while. tonight - not for little while. tonight they've got this warmer game was up basically the springboks is in a? how strong is this team? it basically the springboks is in a? how strong is this team?- how strong is this team? it was meant to be _ how strong is this team? it was meant to be a _ how strong is this team? it was meant to be a south _ how strong is this team? it was meant to be a south africa - how strong is this team? it was | meant to be a south africa azide how strong is this team? it was - meant to be a south africa azide but it's being billed more as a south african bay two a+ r side. the springboks seen that the putting out tonight includes seven of those who actually started in the 2090 world a final win against england. the current lions tour captain murray

described two nights fixture as almost a fourth test. this is what the lions wanted, they said they hadn't really been tested yet while they are certainly going to get back this evening. we they are certainly going to get back this evening-— they are certainly going to get back this evening. we have to talk about covid of course. _ this evening. we have to talk about covid of course. what's _ this evening. we have to talk about covid of course. what's the - this evening. we have to talk about covid of course. what's the latest l covid of course. what's the latest with the camps, anime covid cases? note. pretty much what we already knew. south africa had a coach isolating himself at the moment because he has covid. we think perhaps his hand was slightly forced to his selection of that strong team tonight because of the number of cases they've had over 20 now in that springbok camp. there are still six cases amongst including their captain. it's not affected the lions as much. there was a questionable one case last week but in the end that turned out to be a false positive. that turned out to be a false iositive. ., , that turned out to be a false iositive. . , ., _ ., , positive. finally, world rugby has announced a _ positive. finally, world rugby has announced a new _ positive. finally, world rugby has announced a new plan _ positive. finally, world rugby has announced a new plan to - positive. finally, world rugby has announced a new plan to deal- positive. finally, world rugby has| announced a new plan to deal with the ongoing problem in rugby of concussion. the ongoing problem in rugby of concussion-— the ongoing problem in rugby of concussion. . . . ., , concussion. what are the headlines from that? this _ concussion. what are the headlines from that? this was _ concussion. what are the headlines from that? this was a _ concussion. what are the headlines from that? this was a huge - from that? this was a huge announcement today and much of it

was based around concussion prevention. of course world rugby, the rugby federal union, they are currently facing claim from former players suing authorities for brain damage. world rugby cannot comment on the case but stated that they really want to become a world leader in player welfare. they are going to start investing in better provision for early players was a particularly when they retire, that's around brain injuries and support. they are going to focus a lot more also on different areas. that includes the women's game to include research in that area. they are going to be funding independent can catch and consultants in the elite game and that could affect when players have been diagnosed with a concussion about when they will be able to return to play. there's also good to be a global laws tried that gets under way on the 1st of august and all of the tweaks around the laws and changes are all based around making sure there is more space on two and less contact. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories around today. look at some of the other stories around today. it looks like lionel messi

is staying at barcelona but with a huge pay cut ?providing enough players are sold to fund the deal. the argentine star has agreed to sign a new five year contract. jadon sancho has spoken out about the racist abuse he and other england players suffered after their euro 2020 final defeat. sancho, who was one of the players to miss a penalty, posted on social media — "hate will never win" he also said he was "proud of how they united the nation". portsmouth football club say they've started an investigation after some of their academy players allegedly used racist abusive language following that england final defeat. it relates to a screen grab from the club's under—18s group chat. and two matches from this year's wimbledon have been flagged up to the international tennis integrity agency after "possible irregular betting patterns". they were an early—round singles match and a men's doubles. rafa benitez has given his first press conference since taking

over as everton manager. benitez of course, made his name in the premier league at liverpool and his appointment at their arch rivals has prompted some resentment from fans including a threatening banner left near his merseyside home. but he claims he's had mostly support from the blue half of the city. the average onions around my place, they are quite happy and they were very supportive. even the liverpool he ends they were accepting that it's a chance, an opportunity for me to come back to the premier league to come back to the premier league to compete for something. so it was quite good, talking about the virus, we could talk about one or two people, you never know. i think it's better to think about positive, how a lot of people were encouraging me to do well and happy with that. so he's happy, but are the fans really happy? well let's speak to kate reilly james — the blue room podcast and kate —

you watched the press conference didn't you, was it enough to win you over? i'm quietly confident. i hold my hand up and say that bonita is wasn't my first choice manager. i think that nothing to do with the red half i think i need to make that abundantly clear because all of the red star spoken to since the announcements of actually back to him coming across stanley park. i felt like we are more in need of a culture change that a manager who has had some success in the past. having watched the press conference today i feel like i have to whisper it, i'm quietly confident. share today i feel like i have to whisper it, i'm quietly confident. are you, that's good _ it, i'm quietly confident. are you, that's good to _ it, i'm quietly confident. are you, that's good to hear. _ it, i'm quietly confident. are you, that's good to hear. many - it, i'm quietly confident. are you, | that's good to hear. many thought some quotes to you in response to that comment he made when he was a liverpool manager when he called average and a small club. he said it was a long time ago, if the manager he acted to defend your club in any context. are you have to forgive him for that response was? i

context. are you have to forgive him for that response was?— for that response was? i think i would be liars _ for that response was? i think i would be liars if _ for that response was? i think i would be liars if i _ for that response was? i think i would be liars if i said - for that response was? i think i would be liars ifi said not- would be liars if i said not aggressive ever said anything and slightly regretted it sometime later. i'm also kind of behind the idea of pride and of loyalty. some of the other answers that he gave during the press conference that he feels as if he is very much at the helm and everything is now his mum at that sense of belonging. i can forgive the misdemeanor if it means you can carry that through while he's at the helm. it’s you can carry that through while he's at the helm.— you can carry that through while he's at the helm. it's weird seeing him in blue, _ he's at the helm. it's weird seeing him in blue, is— he's at the helm. it's weird seeing him in blue, is in _ he's at the helm. it's weird seeing him in blue, is in a? _ he's at the helm. it's weird seeing him in blue, is in a? especially- him in blue, is in a? especially that particular _ him in blue, is in a? especially that particular shade _ him in blue, is in a? especially that particular shade of - him in blue, is in a? especially that particular shade of blue. i him in blue, is in a? especially. that particular shade of blue. it's 'ust that particular shade of blue. it's just wrong. he then said i've had conversations with senior players i'm really pleased and very ambitious and they all realise that something is missing. what do you think is missing and what did that make you feel like listening to that? ,., ., , make you feel like listening to that? ., , ., , that? personally for me it comes down to culture. _ that? personally for me it comes down to culture. it _ that? personally for me it comes down to culture. it comes - that? personally for me it comes down to culture. it comes down | that? personally for me it comes. down to culture. it comes down to club culture and i think the overwhelming feeling after and gillotti made his shock departure was that we can ferry in as many managers as we want but clearly something has to change. at the

minute it doesn't really matter what