international isolation. but from the kremlin, no hint of regret. and putin knows that many russians do still trust him because he controls the media here and the messaging. many here still believe he is taking russia in the right direction, even if that means confrontation and conflict. steve rosenberg, bbc news, st petersburg. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet has been in the ukrainian capital kyiv since the start of the invasion. shejoins us now. today, what are your reflections after a month of the conflict? well, look at this — after a month of the conflict? well, look at this programme, _ after a month of the conflict? well, look at this programme, what - after a month of the conflict? vii look at this programme, what have we heard? this has been a month like no other. for ukraine, for europe, for the rest of the world. so many

around the world took a stand in this war, condemning it, and so many lives are affected. rising energy prices, rising food prices. but, undeniably, the greatest pain is here. more than a quarter of this population has been forced to leave their homes. half of the country's children are on the run. homes, streets, entire towns and at least one citywide from the map. and yet every ukrainian we meet here, you feel the palpable sense of pride and patriotism. such a stark contrast to the mood of disbelief and dread at the mood of disbelief and dread at the start of the invasion, where people believed that russian troops could be in the city in a matter of days. but the same urgent questions remain. how far will president putin 90, remain. how far will president putin go, and what will it take to stop this war? . . ., ., ~ go, and what will it take to stop this war? . . . ., ~ , ., go, and what will it take to stop this war? . . . ., ~ i. this war? once again, thank you so much for the _ this war? once again, thank you so much for the analysis _ this war? once again, thank you so much for the analysis from - this war? once again, thank you so much for the analysis from the - much for the analysis from the ukrainian capital, kyiv.

time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. it's been another warm, sunny spring day across many parts of the country. we had temperatures in east yorkshire up to 19 degrees. there was more cloud across scotland and northern ireland. overnight, a lot of that will move away. we get a reminder that it is only march. it is warm in the sunshine but it gets cold at night in rural areas could be close to freezing again. one or two mapped out early mist and fog patches across northern ireland. more sunshine in scotland and northern ireland than there was today, although dull and damp in the northern isles. a bit of fair weather cloud, and like today temperatures will be up to 18, locally 19, warmer than today in scotland and northern ireland. as we head into the weekend, again, sunny skies for many parts of the country. a bit of mist and low cloud into the west of northern ireland. elsewhere, blue skies, light wind and temperatures not changing much on

saturday. forthe temperatures not changing much on saturday. for the second half of the weekend, we still have high pressure keeping it quiet and warm. a bit more moisture in the north sea. that will get dragged around into parts of england and wales. much more cloud in some places. we do have the warmer, sunnier conditions further north across many parts of scotland and northern ireland. perhaps the far north of england as well. where we keep the cloud, 13 or 1a degrees will be quite a bit cooler, and that is more normalfor this time of will be quite a bit cooler, and that is more normal for this time of the year. significant changes as we move into next week. high pressure will move away. even the chance of a bit of rain around. then we are going to get a northerly wind, and that will really drop the temperatures by day and by night. that's all from the bbc news at six, so it's goodbye from me, hello and welcome to sportsday —

i'm gavin ramjaun. destiny in their hands — wales have the chance to move a step closer to a first world cup finals since 1958, when they play austria later. things are looking up for england's women at the cricket world cup — the defending champions thrash pakistan, and are one win away from the semis. but a dire day for the men's side — as the wickets tumble on the opening of the deciding test in west indies. also coming up in the programme... feeling the heat — as critics pile on eddiejones and england after the six nations, we speak to the man in charge of english rugby. and ada's return — the norwegian superstar makes a comeback for the national team, and could feature in this summer's euros. hello and welcome to sportsday, i'm gavin ramjaun.

hello there, and welcome to the programme. it's been a long 64 years for wales but hopes of making a first world cup since the 1950's could edge a step close in cardiff this evening — when they take on austria in their play off semi—final. captain gareth bale wants no regrets as the side seek to make memories for a new generation. joe lynsky reports. brazil plays wales and its wells that kick off. during 1958 the last time wells played as a football world cup. that day they were beaten by a goal from world cup. that day they were beaten by a goalfrom pele in world cup. that day they were beaten by a goal from pele in the 20 20s whale have their own superstar. gareth bales led them to the euros and he still this teams great hope. buddies played through injury and at 32 this could be his last chance. good to be one of the biggest games i've played in for sure. not having qualified for world cup before is

something that i want to achieve, the country want to achieve. kick—off is good to be a little bit in nerves, it meant so much for us to play for wales and if you have nerves you probably should be playing. nerves you probably should be -la inc. ., , nerves you probably should be - in. ., , ~ , ., playing. tonight they face austria who like wales _ playing. tonight they face austria who like wales reach _ playing. tonight they face austria who like wales reach the - playing. tonight they face austria who like wales reach the euros i playing. tonight they face austria i who like wales reach the euros last 16 last summer. this world cup months fit around global events. the playoffs get there in knockout games, in the other survey files ukraine. some of their team have gone home to fight in war, their match and scott linda has been put back to june. so match and scott linda has been put back tojune. so wales could win their semis but then wait three months for a final. i’m their semis but then wait three months for a final.— their semis but then wait three months for a final. i'm a human bein: months for a final. i'm a human being and _ months for a final. i'm a human being and i'm — months for a final. i'm a human being and i'm watching - months for a final. i'm a human being and i'm watching the - months for a final. i'm a human i being and i'm watching the scenes unfold in what's happening ukraine and russia is appalling. that's far more important than any football match. the good news for us as we could play this game, we wanted to get a plate. will see what happens after that. it’s get a plate. will see what happens after that. �* , , ~ get a plate. will see what happens after that. h , ~ , ., , get a plate. will see what happens afterthat. h , ~ , ., after that. it's been 64 years and wales have _ after that. it's been 64 years and wales have watched _ after that. it's been 64 years and wales have watched teams - after that. it's been 64 years and wales have watched teams gone | after that. it's been 64 years and i wales have watched teams gone by after that. it's been 64 years and - wales have watched teams gone by con clubs. for most the memories of 58

have faded. now wales no two wins take them to qatar in a world cup that mean so much for the wait. so much at stake then for welsh dreams then. they might fancy their chances against an austria side, who came 4th in their qualifying group, only making the playoffs by virtue of winning their nation league grouping. wales came second to belgium in their qualifying. we can cross live to cardiff now and join howell griffith who's at the cardiff city stadium for us. how much excitement and anticipation is there for this match? a good hour before kick off at their spouses here already for the cello game. wanting to soak in the atmosphere, where welsh fans get together it is something special. they built with the colour red wall. that means this places become a fortress of years. wheels are unbeaten at home in 16 matches with

top it all goes well potentially for july. add to that a tinge of nerves because wales have fallen short many times before. as we are unbeaten at home in 16 matches without it all goes well potentially forjuly. add to that a tinge of nerves because wales have fallen short many times before. as we heard in every port 64 years as a binge world cup. this is either potentially another big step forward or the end of another journey. abs, forward or the end of another “ourne . �* ., ., , ., journey. a lot riding on this for several players _ journey. a lot riding on this for several players garrett - journey. a lot riding on this for several players garrett bayle l several players garrett bayle included with that fill the last chance of making a world cup was a pump which pressures on them tonight? pump which pressures on them toniaht? �* , ., ., tonight? arguably qualified for world cup would _ tonight? arguably qualified for world cup would be _ tonight? arguably qualified for world cup would be the - tonight? arguably qualified for world cup would be the last i tonight? arguably qualified for. world cup would be the last thing tonight? arguably qualified for- world cup would be the last thing on garrett bales bucket list. he's played on the big stage, he's helped carry wales through to the euros twice. he and the team around him are used to pressure but clearly this is another level going to the world cup. aaron ramsey may be firm juventus, something similar but it's hard to see that his career would stretch another world cup campaign. don't forget, wales have promising players who played in the euro last year, some even in 2016 and two fan

form. they are not the premier league but the likes of williams maybe follow him, johnson who's played at forest and a stochastic fa cup campaign, they will want to make a mark to if they get selected for july. we know the mood this week has been happy, confident, relaxed and certainly garrett the bail seems to be at his happiest when he's wearing the welsh shard.— you very much. well, there are some other big matches across europe this evening and lots at stake for the european champions italy. they have to beat north macedonia, in their semi—final playoff. roberto mancini s men struggled to find form after beating england to win euro 2020 and finished second in their group behind switzerland. crucial match for portugal with cristiano ronaldo will still be in the picture after they play turkey. well scotland, whose semi—final with ukraine is postponed tilljune, so have a little to wait for a possible final

against wales or austria. what a tie that could be, if they end facing wales. tonight they're still in action up against poland in a friendly. poland got a bye to their final after russia were thrown out of the qualifiers following the invastion of ukraine. part of the proceeds from the match at hampden tonight, will go towards charity unicef�*s work in ukraine. scotland boss steve clarke. it's great to see so many people coming. i know this still a few tickets left so the more people that want to come, the better because obviously we are raising money for not a good cause because that we should be raising money for because the issue is horrendous and it doesn't seem to be getting better which is bad news for everybody. christian eriksen has trained with denmark for the first time since his cardiac arrest during last year's european championship. the brentford midfielder has made three appearances since joining the premier league club injanuary. denmark manager kasper hjulmand says eriksen will most likely be on the bench for friday's match against the netherlands. but he believes the 30 year

old will be ready to start against serbia at parken in copenhagen on tuesday, that's the venue where he suffered his cardiac arrest. england and the upcoming families in the ivory coast after he tested positive for covid—19. sec. had been isolated from the rest of the squad sent yesterday and is now return home for the planning for replacement. some news now on the latest concerning bids to buy chelsea football club. we understand an offerfrom a saudi backed consortium won't be taken forward to the shortlist stage. the club has been up for sale since the start of the month, following the sanctions placed on russian owner roman abramovich, following russia's continued invasion of ukraine. alistair mcgowan joins me now. what if we learned today bid from the salaries and where does it leave the salaries and where does it leave the rest of the bids in the running sold by the club?—

waiting all week for the short list and we reckon it may be half a dozen of our ready—made a bit in their interest in buying the club. as you mention, saudi media group i the only ones to have come up so far and said that they haven't made the short list. we think is around three orfour short list. we think is around three or four different consortium. i've been told that the timeline counted against the saudi media group in the sense that they wanted to do their own due diligence in this is a club that wants to get sold as quickly as possible because of the lack of working capital because of the sanctions on robe and abramovich. that was highlighted last night when the government granted chelsea permission to unfreeze £30 million from roman abramovich's company who owns the club in order to pay staff. there are others involved, six of made a public play art wanting to buy the club, a wicked family who owned the chicago cubs. is it a bit

of opposition for them taking over in chelsea. talk consortium, vice who owns the mlb side of the la dodgers. there's also british interests in sir martin affirm our chairman of british airways, he's also got lord coe on board and another couple are a british property investor and centredness global investment firm. we are hoping will get a little bit more information in the next day or two on who's gonna make that shortlist and then will go onto the next stage who is the preferred bidder. brute and then will go onto the next stage who is the preferred bidder. we look forward to it- — just over a week ago, england's women were looking down and out of the women's cricket world cup. but after losing the opening three matches, they've really risen to the challenge in new zealand. the defending champions blew away pakistan and now have the final stages in sight. jo currie reports. the scenario for england

a simple one, a win needed to keep their world cup hopes alive. after winning the toss, their decision to bowl first paid off from the very first ball. absolutely perfect start! and more wickets followed. there was the odd hiccup in the field. that's a shocker. but england's bowling unit, spearheaded by katherine brunt, were putting on a show. after a terrible start to the tournament, the defending champions were finally making their mark, as they demolished pakistan for a woeful 105 all—out. with a tantalising target in their sights, england's openers will have been relishing their opportunity. however, danni wyatt survived an early scare. wyatt though started to find some form, something that's been evading her so far this tournament. as she first brought up her half century before she and captain heather knight calmly steered england to a comfortable nine—wicket victory. today was a special day and one we have been really aiming towards, getting a complete game in with bat,

ball, in the field, and we will definitely take a lot of confidence from this. that result leaves them with their fate in their own hands, now knowing that a win against bangladesh on saturday will secure their spot in the knockout stages. jo currie, bbc news. so a stunning win in what could be a stunning comeback for heather knight's side. henry moeran and alex hartley are in christchurch for us, and they can tell us what's behind this change in form. finally something to smile about. a win for england, clinical want, jenny wyatt the top of the order, dues do is score, she got a score for the this england team air air backer looks like they are back. there are number of important element to this victory you mention the run but also the ball catherine brunt took a wicked but also the ball catherine brunt took a wickets at the very bottom ball of looked at different bullet was that you could tell she got a wicket with the first ball and there was a huge sigh of relief, she looked at the sky like, finally, finally got the reward that i deserved and she bowled so well today. i deserved and she bowled so well toda . ,, �* , , i deserved and she bowled so well toda. ., �*, ., today. she's been england's eating

wicket ticket _ today. she's been england's eating wicket ticket for _ today. she's been england's eating wicket ticket for a _ today. she's been england's eating wicket ticket for a long _ today. she's been england's eating wicket ticket for a long time - today. she's been england's eating wicket ticket for a long time now, i wicket ticket for a long time now, it was best bullet for a long time and show that today. we will put into context a little bit to win against pakistan. pakistan is never beaten england. you expect to have a victory of this win suggests that they're starting to find form? i think they went about it. the whole bowling innings, clinical, very restricted pakistan only scored two runs and over was it was while checking test cricket. pretty boring from england but they did the simple things well, they took wickets throughout. best bullet in the world got three for doing what she does best. but the bat they went out, play themselves and die in a wyatt place yourself in it was able to capitalise on the boulders. abs, capitalise on the boulders. reasonable chance england also will have the bowlers of avoiding australia in the semifinals that's a huge relief because this is an australian side, england will be nervous of playing avenue and only beaten up once in last five years. there is that you can't be world champions without beating the best but england mayjust avoid that depending on what happens with the

qualifications going into the semifinals. it does look like england will avoid them, will have to see if they play them in the final, if they win a semifinal. england need to avoid defeat against bangladesh on sunday. we speak about it like it's a given but they should have been pakistan today, they really should be bangladesh. thea;r really should be bangladesh. they really should be bangladesh. they really should. _ really should be bangladesh. they really should. i _ really should be bangladesh. they really should. i talk _ really should be bangladesh. they really should. i talk to _ really should be bangladesh. they really should. i talk to that game. almost with a sigh of relief where they can go, now would give alaska a one begin to get through. if a trade out of a drawer in the get one point they still qualify for semifinals a far better performance and end the game received from england during this worked out. thea;r game received from england during this worked out.— this worked out. they seem to be hittin: this worked out. they seem to be hitting form _ this worked out. they seem to be hitting form at — this worked out. they seem to be hitting form at the _ this worked out. they seem to be hitting form at the right - this worked out. they seem to be hitting form at the right time - this worked out. they seem to be hitting form at the right time and | hitting form at the right time and just possibly they might be thinking of retaining the trophy they won at lords five years ago. england's men have have made a dreadful start on the first day of their third and final test against the west indies. remember the series is still nil nil.. joe root�*s side were put into bat. the openers put on 23 but zak crawley�*s dismissal triggered a clatter of wickets

it's been a series where the boulders have struggled but a grenada things are about to change. the west indies decided to bowl after winning the toss and it wasn't long before the decision was vindicated. the captainjoe root who's made a century and east of the test could only manage 89 bowl dock here. on a picture that was offering plenty of movement of the west in the team is beginning to take full advantage with dan lawrence the next ago. but in times of struggle england so often looked to ben stokes, even he couldn't hold the charge as the tour slunk to 53—4. lees was the only english meant to provide any resistance although camara roach got the better of him. the wickets continue to tumble as jonny bairstow the next ago. all too familiar collapse was complete as ben folkes was sent back to the pavilion to leave england reeling at

67-7. pavilion to leave england reeling at 67—7. chris wags meant 25 back but that only prevented a small glimmer of hope is the swing of camara roach continue to recover and leave england with the all to do on a chaotic opening day. chaos indeed. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making headlines today... pakistan will start the last day of their third and final test against australia, in lahore, needing 278 more runs to win, with all ten second innings wickets intact. earlier, australia declared to set a target of 351. the first two matches were drawn. sunderland strikerjermain defoe has retired at the age of 39. he scored 304 goals in 762 career club games and also played for west ham, tottenham, portsmouth, bournemouth and rangers. he scored 20 goals in 57 appearances for england. and sebastian vettel could miss the saudi arabia grand prix this weekend due to covid. his team, aston martin, confirmed

he's yet to travel for the race. vettel missed last week's opener in bahrain after testing positive, and was replaced by nico hulkenberg. the rugby football union issued a press release hours after england's six nations defeat to france last saturday, saying they were "encouraged" by the side's solid progress. it's a view that isn't shared by everyone. former england player ugo monye called the comments dishonest, while former coach sir clive woodward has accused the rfu of trying to close down debate over current coach eddiejones' future. england finished third in this year's six nations table and fifth back in 2021. our sports editor — dan roan has been speaking to the head of the rfu, bill sweeney and asked him to explain how they they arrived at their statement of solid progress. progress is not always just measured by action and results. the results of the most visible and obvious thing for them and us would you have to win and waiting matters. if you

are not winning that's what draws the most attention. what we were referring to there was the progress we are making on thatjourney. certain things we targeted we need to deliver it to be a better side to consistently win and win more six nations and work out. but consistently win and win more six nations and work out.— consistently win and win more six nations and work out. but it's hard to much progress _ nations and work out. but it's hard to much progress when _ nations and work out. but it's hard to much progress when england i nations and work out. but it's hard i to much progress when england came forflashier and to much progress when england came for flashier and actually scored more tries then did this. fifth and 3rd, two wins last year, to exist without are you taking the fans for fools here? i without are you taking the fans for fools here?— without are you taking the fans for fools here? .,, ., .,, ., fools here? i hope not, i hope that the feel fools here? i hope not, i hope that they feel that _ fools here? i hope not, i hope that they feel that way. _ fools here? i hope not, i hope that they feel that way. that's - fools here? i hope not, i hope that they feel that way. that's not - they feel that way. that's not her attention, does not over doing. i think the fans that understand rugby and been following and in really closely, hopefully they will see those nine players that have come through that have established themselves as solid players in a match day starting 23. i think the performances of people with eight players like marcus is proven. he can play the highest level of test rugby. same with harry randles now proved himself able to complete at that level, freddie stewart have a

great tournament. i think will stewart came of age in 22, six nations a real international test tighter. you've got nine players come through, consider that night nmsa 23, that's a big generational change players come again. some very resected change players come again. some very respected and experience _ change players come again. some very respected and experience that - change players come again. some very respected and experience that ms. - respected and experience that ms. and rugby have accused you and the are a few of trying to mislead the all. the fans are very knowledgeable. they will be aware of our performance last year, della watch the matches this year. they will make their own judgements, they'll be disappointed, they'll be disappointed we came 3rd. of seeing the matches and hopefully they will have seen the progress we are making and will back us. they are a few in denial of this? in denial, no, not at all. ., ., ., at all. some would argue the need to be a change — at all. some would argue the need to be a change of _ at all. some would argue the need to be a change of direction, _ be a change of direction, regrettably that eddie jones is taking it as far as he can and take in your18 taking it as far as he can and take in your 18 months to make a

difference. that's what's required. you don't believe that? probably the hardest thing in sport to do is to rebuild the side and go from a successful scored three to eight for the successful squad. you see that in multiple other sports, you see british rowing going through difficult period, you see it in cycles. multiple examples in football, rugby, to transition from thatis football, rugby, to transition from that is very difficult. and we are on a journey. we believe that we are making progress and we believe things like the players that have come through, we believe the leadership on the field of play. that was something that was targeted for quite some time, that we don't have decision—makers and leaders on the field of play when it really matters. if you looked at the match in ireland and france tom curry and others coming through, five really solid established leaders now in that back. we've got 13 players end when available coming back into the system. the squad is absolutely

sensational. they back eddie and that's probably the most important thing. they believe in that direction and they are proud of it. five years after quitting the norwegian national team, one of the biggest names in women's football has announced she's making a comeback. ada hegerberg, who's won six champions league titles, the ballon d'or, and is a former bbc women's footballer of the year, stopped playing over what she perceived was a lack of respect for female players in norway. matt graveling reports. it's one of the greatest honours in sport. representing your country, something ida hagberg has done 66 times, scoring 38. but then in 2017 at the age ofjust 21 while widely considered the best in the world she walked away from the national side. she said her decision was made from a lack of respect for the women's game in norway. she a lack of respect for the women's game in norway-— a lack of respect for the women's game in norway. she announced she didn't want to _ game in norway. she announced she didn't want to play _ game in norway. she announced she didn't want to play for _ game in norway. she announced she didn't want to play for norway - didn't want to play for norway anymore. we try to solve it, we had

meetings but she decided not to play. in meetings but she decided not to -la . meetings but she decided not to .la , ., meetings but she decided not to -la . ., ., meetings but she decided not to play. in the league that followed she won the _ play. in the league that followed she won the bell _ play. in the league that followed she won the bell and _ play. in the league that followed she won the bell and door- play. in the league that followed she won the bell and door it - play. in the league that followed she won the bell and door it wasj she won the bell and door it was twice crowned bbc�*s women footballer of the year. the norwegian football federation try to convince her to return to the national team but hegerberg continued to refuse the call up the mess and france. it’s call up the mess and france. it's impossible _ call up the mess and france. it's impossible to — call up the mess and france. it�*s impossible to play in football is a woman and not be fighting for equality. there are subjects that hit you every day where you have to fight for your rights and for your support and for your place. that's the case still today. i think we are coming some where step—by—step. it’s coming some where step-by-step. it's still a coming some where step—by—step. it's still a long journey. it's been three years since that interview and hegerberg's st journey sees three years since that interview and hegerberg's stjourney sees her back in norway squad for the world cup

qualifiers. but the forward posting this edge of yourself wrapped in the national flag alongside the caption, goat norway, long time no see. hegerberg said... the grasshoppers who have already qualified for next years world cup will face kosovo and poland next month with hegerberg inclusion eight massive blues and i had of this summers european championships in england. let's see if we see her this summer. that's all from sportsday. a reminder of our top story wells in action against austria in a world cup playoff semifinal against austria and cardiff. it is a really big game for them. let's see how they get on. an update on cricket england in the west indies at the moment is hundred and 48 — 14 at t.

see you soon. good evening. we certainly are being spoiled at the moment. another day of the glorious spring sunshine and warmth for many. this was cornwall earlier on today. a story which suggests a warm summer's afternoon, not a spring afternoon. high pressure still with us. this little weather front toppling across the north—west of the high has introduced more in the way of cloud, more moisture as well. so, highland scotland this afternoon certainly a cloudier story in comparison to earlier on in the week, and there were a few isolated showers. if we take a look at the satellite picture, it was scotland, northern ireland, north west england impacted by that cloud. there were some breaks and some sunny spells, but the best of the sunshine certainly across england and wales. now, over the next few hours, a lot of that cloud is going to retreat back to the north—west coast,

and under clearing skies once again, temperatures falling away quite sharply. low single figures to start the day tomorrow. little patches of early frost and mist first thing in the morning. they will lift quite readily once again, and the emphasis is with dry, settled and sunny. still some cloud across the far north and west, and the cloud thick enough in the northern isles perhaps to produce some showery outbreaks of rain. top temperatures maybe through friday afternoon once again mid to high teens. now, that frontal system bringing the showery rain through the northern isles may well just drift down across the east of the high through the north sea. that could have an impact to those north sea coasts on saturday. a little more cloud perhaps just shrouding that east coast for a time. some cloud through western scotland and through the irish sea as well. so, inland through the spine of the country is where we'll see the highest values, 19 degrees by saturday afternoon. into sunday, mothering sunday, toppling around that high, the potentialfor a little more cloud to come in off the north sea across england and wales.

if that happens and with those light winds here, it's not going to move very far very fast. that could have an impact to the feel of the weather. not quite as warm here on sunday afternoon. 14—15 high, best of the sunshine further north, best of the temperatures as well. but it's the colder air that is set to return into next week. a northerly wind driving that colder air further south, so that means that the temperatures will be below par for the time of year. and some of those showers in the far north east could have a wintry flavour in there as well.

this is outside source. a united front by western leaders one month on from russia's invasion of ukraine. meeting in brussels, they promise to increase military aid to ukraine and send 40,000 more troops to countries in eastern europe. nato has never, never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. there are new western sanctions against russia, too, with the usjoining the uk in targeting hundreds of politicians in its state duma. we'll bring you a special report from the front—line in the city

of kharkiv that's under constant russian bombardment.