now on bbc news it's time for sportsday. hello this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. the headlines: the un nuclear watchdog calls for the urgent protection of the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in ukraine after shelling cuts its external power. strike action leftjust 20% of regular rail services running across england, scotland and wales today, as workers walked out for the eleventh time this year. now on bbc news it's time for sportsday.

hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm gavin ramjaun. the perfect start — england get their rugby union world cup campaign going in record breaking style against fiji. hardened on target again for manchester city, who cook top tonight in the premier league. could this be the perfect weekend for max verstappen? he's claimed pole for the japanese grand prix, where he could retain his world title. hello there and welcome along to sportsday. as far as opening games to a world cup campaign go, they really don't come much better than england's. earlier today, they blew away fiji, scoring 1a tries in a record—breaking victory in new zealand. they won 84—19, extending

their record winning streak in test matches. jo currie reports. the year—long covid delay means these players have had a long wait for this moment. england's red roses are expected to bloom at this world cup. fitting, then, that they get their campaign under way in eden. for emerging fiji, a first ever appearance at the tournament. unbeaten in 25 games, this england side knows how to score big tries. they also know how to score simple ones. claudia macdonald opening the scoring. and the world number ones dotted down twice more to build a comfortable lead before they felt the fizzle of the fiji attack. a reminder that they, too, can turn it on. whatever was said in the england dressing room at half—time, it had an instant impact, and then the floodgates opened as they ran in ten second—half tries. england were simply too quick, too strong, too good. macdonald shone as she picked

up herfourth of the game, capping off a ruthless win for the relentless roses. i'm a i'm a bit more composed second half, had a bit more control. we went back to being england and managed to put out a decent performance second half. out a decent performance second half. next up in pool c, they face familiar foes france in whangarei next weekend. jo currie, bbc news. hosts new zealand got their title defence off to a winning start with a 41—17 defeat of trans—tasman rivals australia at eden park. the black ferns trailed 17—0 at one point, but rallied in auckland to run out comfortable winners, thanks to a portia woodman hat—trick and a virtuoso performance from ruby tui, who finished with two tries in front of a record crowd for a women's rugby world cup match. francejoined england and new zealand in the winner's circle as they brushed aside south africa also at eden park. les blues ran in five tries against the springboks as they finished comfortable winners 40—5.

the manchester cityjuggenaut continues to rumble on. today, pep guardiola's side showed no mercy in hammering southampton 4—0 at the etihad to move top of the premier league, at least until tomorrow afternoon. joao cancelo, phil foden, riyad mahrez and, you guessed it, erling haaland with the goals. it was haaland's 20th in all competitions. southampton just never really looked in it, but they don't drop into the relegation zone. he had the chances again. he scored a brilliant goal. we had the chances and, yeah, it's incredible weapon for us. it's a big threat for the opponents and, yeah, so satisfied. i have not had an easy time since i have _ i have not had an easy time since i have been— i have not had an easy time since i have been here and i had been here nearly— have been here and i had been here nearly four— have been here and i had been here nearly four years now and we have been _

nearly four years now and we have been fighting for every result. the problem _ been fighting for every result. the problem wasn't the game today, it was the _ problem wasn't the game today, it was the last games that we had we left some _ was the last games that we had we left some points where maybe we could _ left some points where maybe we could have taken more and this is why we _ could have taken more and this is why we are — could have taken more and this is why we are under pressure. could have taken more and this is why we are under pressure. another victory for graham potter at chelsea. his side ran out 3—0 winners over wolves today. kai havertz, christian pulisic and armando broja with the goals. it was broja's first for chelsea, having been on loan at southampton last season. the win moved them up to fourth. wolves drop into the relegation zone. we attacked really well, which allowed us to then when the ball back quite quickly. it is really difficult to control the flow of a premier league match and wolves came into it more in the second half, but overall i think we deserved the win. it is nice to score three goals and keep a clean sheet, so a happy afternoon. newcastle marked the one—year anniversary of the club's takeover in style as they thrashed brentford 5—1 at st james�* park thanks to a brace from bruno guimaraes, plus further strikes from jacob murphy, miguel almiron and a ethan pinnock own goal. ivan toney scored a consolation penalty against his former club

for thomas frank's side, who were second best throughout. i think when you look where the goals came from today, our intensity, are pressuring —— pressing, we force them into errors. we wanted to press their goalkeeper and we got rewarded for that endeavour and again the crowd carried us again in moments only want on top. overall, great for us. we are of course fuming. i can feel myanger, — we are of course fuming. i can feel my anger, you know, bursting around inside _ my anger, you know, bursting around inside me. _ my anger, you know, bursting around inside me, same as the players. we will bounce — inside me, same as the players. we will bounce back, that's inside me, same as the players. we will bounce back, that'5100%. we will bounce back, that'5100%. bournemouth came from 1—0 down to beat leicester city 2—1 in front of their prospective new owner bill foley, who is expected to take charge next week pending premier league approval. the result piles pressure on leicester boss brendan rodgers. they've lost seven of their nine league games so far and several fans in the away end showed their displeasure at the team at the full time whistle.

well, for me it's not about pressure. i know that if you are sat in the bottom three there was always going to be pressure so i understand that. for me, it'sjust about focusing on the process of getting the results, so we have to go away and analyse the game now. there were lots of good aspects of it but, ultimately, we lost the game, so we need to know we have got two home games and we knew —— need to go and really focus on that and pick up three points on our next game. the boys put in another top effort. i the boys put in another top effort. ithougbt— the boys put in another top effort. i thought 1—0 was harsh on them. we had some _ i thought 1—0 was harsh on them. we had some big chances that we didn't take and _ had some big chances that we didn't take and we got punished on one really. _ take and we got punished on one really. the — take and we got punished on one really, the only real one that lester— really, the only real one that lester had first half apart from a set blew — lester had first half apart from a set may i— lester had first half apart from a set play. i was pleased. i was pleased — set play. i was pleased. i was pleased even at the boys i was

pleased — pleased even at the boys i was pleased with what they had produced and we _ pleased with what they had produced and we needed need to keep going. in the late game, it's tottenham away at brighton. harry kane gave spurs the lead. before the match, tributes were paid to tottenham coach gian piero ventrone, who died this week at the age of 61. celtic made sure they'll finish the weekend on top of the scottish premiership, but they did it the hard way with an injury time winner at stjohnstone. drew savage reports. ready for the champions. saint johnson beaten, but only thanks to a last—minute winner. celtic had dominated most of the match, but finishing like this, from liel abada summed up their first half in particular. they needed a stroke of luck to take the lead — sead haksabanoic celebrated his cross ending up in the back of the net. but the final touch came from stjohnstone's andy considine. celtic�*s territorial dominance merited another goal at least, but they couldn't beat saints'

keeper remi matthewswhose. keeper remi matthews, whose ppposite numberjoe hart had been a spectator until the 69th minute, but he produced a great save to foil stevie may. but there wasn't a lot he could do in the third minute of injury time. alex mitchell looked to have snatched a draw from stjohnstone. that's how it looked with 20 seconds to go and then this. yackomakis had gone five games without scoring. for celtic, he couldn't have chosen a better time to change that. celtic two points clear of rangers, who beat st mirren 4—0 at ibrox. antonio cholak with two of the goals there. hibs are fourth after a 1—0 win over motherwell. livingston were beaten by ross county. aberdeen could go fourth with victory over dundee united. staying with football and half of all clubs in the premier league are now owned or part—owned by americans. our sports editor, dan roan, has

been speaking to leeds united vice chairman paraag marathe, who is also president to the premier league. it's the most popular sport in the world and one of the most popular leagues in the entire world and it is such a cultural phenomenon on, notjust in the uk and europe at around the world. it is big business and it is big competition and i think a lot of us american sports owners and executives we live for the competition, we live for the winning and losing objects, and you see it in english football. the emotions and the jeopardy and the intensity are almost magnified. it's probably not good for any other heart health, mine included! but it's fabulous, it's fascinating, its energy. it's fabulous, it's fascinating, its ener: . ., .,

it's fabulous, it's fascinating, its ener: . ., . , ., energy. how in general terms do you [an to energy. how in general terms do you plan to make — energy. how in general terms do you plan to make a _ energy. how in general terms do you plan to make a return _ energy. how in general terms do you plan to make a return on _ energy. how in general terms do you plan to make a return on your - plan to make a return on your investment in leeds? filth. plan to make a return on your investment in leeds? oh, boy. i don'tthink_ investment in leeds? oh, boy. i don't think about _ investment in leeds? oh, boy. i don't think about it _ investment in leeds? oh, boy. i don't think about it that - investment in leeds? oh, boy. i don't think about it that way. - investment in leeds? oh, boy. i don't think about it that way. i i don't think about it that way. i think about winning and losing, i think about winning and losing, i think about winning and losing, i think about building a group of players that play for one another on the pitch, that play for their city and their supporters. that's what i think about. doing that and building something that is bigger than the sum of the pieces, in time and indirectly a return on investment will come around. that's just not how we think about it. here at the 49er state is the same thing, we think what we need to do to build a super bowl winner, to put ourselves in the position to win the super bowl? if you can do that, everything else follows. gloucester handed bath a fifth—straight defeat in the gallagher premiership. it was a tense affair between the two long—standing rivals. matias alemanno scored two tries to give gloucester their first away win in the premiership since january. sale sharks beat

leicester tigers 26—16 in the division's other fixture. scarlets are taking on cardiff in the united rugby championship. and it's cardiff who are currently leading by 16 points to three, tomos williams with the only try of the game so far in the first half. there's around 20 minutes left to play there. max verstappen is in the perfect position to clinch a second world title at the japanese grand prix, after claiming pole for sunday's race. but his title rival charles leclerc is right behind him, along with ferrari team mate carlos sainz. britain's lewis hamilton could only manage sixth. for the first time, verstappen's destiny is in his hands, as claiming victory and the fastest lap will see him become champion. nick parrott reports. no one loves formula! quite no one loves formula i quite like the japanese stopped the coronavirus pandemic force them to wait three years for a grand prix, but good things come to those who wait, like a hero of their own to cheer for the first time in eight years. he was

troubled by brake problems but managed to qualify 13th. if they are to see max verstappen crying champion he needs the perfect weekend. he almost came to grief before he could post a time in the final session. before he could post a time in the finalsession. he before he could post a time in the final session. he lost controljust as lando norris came flying past. max verstappen was later reprimanded by the stewards, but he kept his nerve to set the time to beat. his title rival, charles leclerc, fought hard to try to deny the inevitable, but missed out on pole position by just 100th of a second. it is but missed out on pole position by just 100th of a second.— just 100th of a second. it is a very tric la- just 100th of a second. it is a very tricky lap around _ just 100th of a second. it is a very tricky lap around here _ just 100th of a second. it is a very tricky lap around here because - just 100th of a second. it is a very i tricky lap around here because when ever you are fast in the first g lose out in the last sector and i try to find that balance in the last lap at lost the tie was a little bit in the last sector and lost a bit of time. it is so close with everyone, so that is nice and we will try to have a good race. it so that is nice and we will try to have a good race.— have a good race. it was pretty incredible _ have a good race. it was pretty incredible to _ have a good race. it was pretty incredible to drive _ have a good race. it was pretty incredible to drive here - have a good race. it was pretty incredible to drive here again, | incredible to drive here again, especially on qualifying when you are on— especially on qualifying when you are on low— especially on qualifying when you are on low fuel these cards really

come _ are on low fuel these cards really come alive — are on low fuel these cards really come alive in the first sector. of course, — come alive in the first sector. of course, very— come alive in the first sector. of course, very happy to be in pole position— course, very happy to be in pole position but super happy to be back here _ position but super happy to be back here. a position but super happy to be back here. , . ,, position but super happy to be back here. , ., ,, position but super happy to be back here. , . , , ., here. max verstappen has never won the japanese — here. max verstappen has never won the japanese grand _ here. max verstappen has never won the japanese grand prix, _ here. max verstappen has never won the japanese grand prix, becoming i the japanese grand prix, becoming world champion at suzuka would be one of the sweetest victories of world champion at suzuka would be one of the sweetest his career. britain's georgia taylor—brown extended her lead at the top of the women's triathlon standings, after she won the world championship series event in italy. she finished 12 seconds ahead of second—placed emma lombardi, of france. fellow britons sophie coldwell, beth potter and kate waugh were seventh, tenth and 12th respectively in cagliari. the swim was long, the bike was long, the run was very long. it's a bit of a shock to most —— the system for most of us. ijust try bit of a shock to most —— the system for most of us. i just try to bit of a shock to most —— the system for most of us. ijust try to run my own race in the end and is tailor made it really hard, but that worked on our favour because we got a really good gap there. there was gold and silver for great britain in the men's race.

alex yee finished seven seconds ahead of his fellow olympic mixed relay champion jonny brownlee. yee's third win of the season leaves him fourth in the championship standings, and victory at the next round in bermuda could move him up. ididn't i didn't have a very good starch into the water, being next to those guys to grow up in australia you could just see them get five or ten seconds just on that starch and for me i was on the back foot from there. i tried to push on the second lap and i don't think i lost much time on the second lap. that is a big positive. yeah, there is still a lot to learn and work on in the swim. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the headlines today. marco fu delighted his home crowd, as he made a maximum 147 break in the deciding frame of his hong kong masters semi—final againstjohn higgins. he'll meet ronnie o'sullivan in sunday's final, with a world—record snooker crowd of over 9,000 expected. chaldean was the star of newmarket�*s future champions day, following in the footsteps of his sire, frankel, by winning the dewhurst stakes.

europe's premier race for two—year—old sprinters, chaldean is now one of the favourites for next year's classic — the 2000 guineas, which frankel famously won over a decade ago. also at newmarket — the cesarewitch — one of the oldest horse races in the world — was won by run for oscar. jockey david egan couldn't believe he was so far ahead of his rivals, comfortably winning the specialist stayers' handicap. the last major one—day cycle race of the season, the tour of lombardy, came down to a two—man sprint finish between enric mas and defending champion tadej pogacar, and the two—time tour de france champion won it for the second year in a row. england t20 captainjos buttler says he's excited to play cricket again after nearly two months out with a calf injury. he's set to lead the side against australia in three t20 internationals, starting on sunday, before their world cup campaign begins against afghanistan

in perth in two weeks. to bea to be a captain in the world cup is a very proud moment, especially to get the opportunity to lead your country in a world cup is a great moment, so i very much look forward to that. above all else i want to really enjoy it, not try to put any sort of undue pressure on myself for the team, just encourage everyone to really enjoy the opportunity to play a world cup. australia is a fantastic place to tour, it'll be a fantastic place to tour, it'll be a fantastic tournament that is just want everyone to play good cricket really enjoy it. back to football, and it's the freestyle football world finals in croatia this weekend. contenders will go head to head in front of an expertjudging panel, who'll pick their winner based on difficulty, originality, execution, performance and overall impression. miriam walker—khan is in pula. 2,000 years ago, this roman amphitheatre which used for gladiator battles. they may not be

gladiators, but tomorrow 16 men and seven women from all around the world will be here battling it out to become the next freestyle football world champion. 2022 is the first year that these world finals will include freestylers from every region of the world. that's because this year a new qualifying format was introduced which meant regional finals, north and south america, africa, eight of pacific and europe was guaranteed to compete here. i sat down with the reigning women's world champion. the sat down with the reigning women's world champion.— sat down with the reigning women's world champion. the difference with me at the other _ world champion. the difference with me at the other girls, _ world champion. the difference with me at the other girls, last _ world champion. the difference with me at the other girls, last year - world champion. the difference with me at the other girls, last year i - me at the other girls, last year i had to years of experience, so i was up had to years of experience, so i was up against girl to have been doing it for ten years, so for me winning it for ten years, so for me winning it last year i didn't think it was possible because i didn't have as much time to train or prepare and i felt like it was kind of impossible. when i won it last year i was so surprised and happy. i had such a mixture of emotions. this year, i

have for years now, here extra, but it is still the same, i am a bit behind on the other girls training wise. i am going stick to what i can do and, yeah, just try and find my own way and see how close this year. next year, the format of the event changes and grows again as 16 women will be able to compete at the world finals. that's double the number of women who have been able to qualify and compete and these world finals every year for the past decade. finally, water—skiing might not immediately spring to mind when you think about competitive sports, nut a british champion is currently the world's best. joel poland is one of the greatest athletes in british water—skiing history, and is currently defending his title in florida on the world tour. mike bushell has been to see him in action. on the tranquil waters of essex lake, a rare sighting of something so special. the british water skier

who has left the world in his wake. back home for a flying visit in between competitions and reflecting on what it is like to be britain's first overall world champion for overfour first overall world champion for over four decades. first overall world champion for overfour decades. it first overall world champion for over four decades.— first overall world champion for over four decades. it was a very surreal railing _ over four decades. it was a very surreal railing -- _ over four decades. it was a very surreal railing -- feeling, - surreal railing —— feeling, honestly. after a month at setting, while, i managed to do that and it started settling in. i look back to when i was 12 years old, if you asked me what i wanted to do when i grew up, that was it, that was the dream, so i think after completing that part of the dream at least, while, i am actually doing exactly what i said i wanted to do when i was a 12—year—old kate. what i said i wanted to do when i was a 12-year-old kate.- what i said i wanted to do when i was -ear-old kate.-

what i said i wanted to do when i was fimte— what i said i wanted to do when i was fimte that! that is insane! at the age of 23, joel that! that is insane! at the age of 23. joel poland — that! that is insane! at the age of 23, joel poland is _ that! that is insane! at the age of 23, joel poland is - as - the greatest water skiers this of the greatest water skiers this country has ever produced and he has world ”"qérla""'h'i; " w mg” "hi; " "whihaivingw --- ...-.ih.e. - - ---- -..- -... -- wei]; ”briton wwihé ”briton win wihé ”briton win the become the first briton to win the overall world championship title since 1977, and he is now overall the world record holder, beating the americans in their own water in even the best have to go in the end! to get world record at the end! to get the world record add to his “m�*é joel had to add to his world title, joel had to add to his world title, joel had to win across disciplines in to win across three disciplines in just one round of competition, consisting of slalom, weaving his way across the weight the way across the weight behind the boat, the tricks competition full of flips and spins, then the jump, which is all about the furthest distance you can travel after take off before mastering the perfect landing. off before mastering the perfect landinu. . , off before mastering the perfect landinu. ., , ., ., ., landing. that is one of the hard arts. landing. that is one of the hard parts. internment _ landing. that is one of the hard parts. internment skiing - landing. that is one of the hard parts. internment skiing you i landing. that is one of the hard i parts. internment skiing you have landing. that is one of the hard - parts. internment skiing you have to do it in the same day essentially for it to count as a record. jump is an interesting one because it has all this adrenaline inside of you,

bit of a stone building up, and as you're turning in for the job you need to very, very calm. then all of a sudden you are 20 or 30 feet up in the sky. that feeling is surreal. you are really up there flying and everything is so small down there for a second. then you land, you spend background and go for it again! ihla spend background and go for it aaain! ., ., spend background and go for it aiain! ., ., , spend background and go for it aaain! ., ., , , ., ., ., again! no one is prouder of him than his parents. — again! no one is prouder of him than his parents, mum, _ again! no one is prouder of him than his parents, mum, agnes, _ again! no one is prouder of him than his parents, mum, agnes, doesn'ti again! no one is prouder of him than i his parents, mum, agnes, doesn't get to see herjetsetting son that much these days, but the was all those nights —— into training after school were worth it. six. nights -- into training after school were worth it— were worth it. six months of not sa in: were worth it. six months of not saying you- _ were worth it. six months of not saying you- we _ were worth it. six months of not saying you. we used _ were worth it. six months of not saying you. we used to - were worth it. six months of not saying you. we used to sit - were worth it. six months of not saying you. we used to sit on i were worth it. six months of not | saying you. we used to sit on the m25 for many and it used to hold my hand in tears because of the traffic and he would miss his sets. instead, mum, one day i'll be world champion. joel is dyslexic so i really struggled at school so i wanted to find something to get rid of his energy and we found this and he has been doing it since he was six or

seven. , , ., ., ., been doing it since he was six or seven. , , ., ., ., ' ., been doing it since he was six or seven. , , ., ., ., a, ., seven. this is also a team effort on the water with _ seven. this is also a team effort on the water with fellow _ seven. this is also a team effort on the water with fellow british - seven. this is also a team effort on the water with fellow british skier l the water with fellow british skier then helping him take the right line, and the sport are confident that his achievements will swell the numbers taking up water skiing. the brits have numbers taking up water skiing. tie: brits have always been numbers taking up water skiing. ti9 brits have always been quite numbers taking up water skiing. ti9: brits have always been quite good numbers taking up water skiing. ti9 brits have always been quite good at this point, i don't know if it is the cold, the atmosphere, but it mixes into quite good skiers. the top triangle is well prepared, but the foundation, we need more people coming into the sport to keep it going and moving forwards for the next generation. i going and moving forwards for the next generation.— next generation. i really believe an one next generation. i really believe anyone can _ next generation. i really believe anyone can pick _ next generation. i really believe anyone can pick it _ next generation. i really believe anyone can pick it up. _ next generation. i really believe anyone can pick it up. in - next generation. i really believe anyone can pick it up. in the - anyone can pick it up. in the beginning _ anyone can pick it up. in the beginning it is not that hard, all you have — beginning it is not that hard, all you have to do to start is get on top of— you have to do to start is get on top of the — you have to do to start is get on top of the water. i think i am noticing _ top of the water. i think i am noticing i_ top of the water. i think i am noticing i have had a lot more people — noticing i have had a lot more people come up to me, especially the younger— people come up to me, especially the younger generation, and i get so lots of— younger generation, and i get so lots of positive comments. it is not 'ust lots of positive comments. it is not just beginners _ lots of positive comments. it is not just beginners looking _ lots of positive comments. it is not just beginners looking at _ lots of positive comments. it is not just beginners looking at him - lots of positive comments. it is not just beginners looking at him for i just beginners looking at him for inspiration, this guy it seems is the limit for the world's best athletes are all trying to catch him. athletes are all

trying to catch him. that's all from sportsday. we'll have more for you at half past seven. totte n ha m tottenham are currently 1—0 up at brighton with 20 minutes to go in that one. harry kane's: the first past the difference so far. hello. a lot of fine weather out there to start the weekend. for many places, long sunny spells continuing. tomorrow, they won't be as widespread. for scotland and northern ireland it will turn wetter and windier. ahead of this weather is system, this ridge of high pressure. there are some showers running into western parts of scotland, some in northern ireland, north—west england and north wales, and chance of catching some showers.

for other places, long sunny spells to come. temperatures dropping out between 14—17. it will turn quite chilly tonight where the winds are lightest and the skies remain clear. a few spots in the countryside will end up close to freezing by the morning. in the west, increasing cloud, wind, some drizzle on the wealth of hills and the high ground of north—west england. a milder day tomorrow for northern ireland and scotland. the weather system will spread across northern ireland. that will push across scotland during the day. gales in places. for the western isles, severe gales for a while. later on, some rain pushes into cumbria, anglesey. ahead of that, much of england and wales will stay dry. sunny skies for east anglia and the south—east.

a windier day across all parts. for the western isles for the morning, gusts up to 70 miles an hour. ahead of the rain band, it will be a touch milder with some spots up to 18. the weather system will move its way southwards over nights and into monday. it will begin to weaken as it does so. first on a monday there will still be some rain out of it, in east anglia and the south—east. a scattering of showers running into western parts of scotland, may be some in the north west of england and northern ireland. for many places on monday anotherfine, dry day, with temperatures between 1a and 17. there could be fog around first thing on tuesday. most places dry on tuesday. wetter weather moving in from the west for wednesday, and very windy to end the week.

bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines in the uk and around the world: a massive explosion has severely damaged the strategically important road and rail bridge connecting occupied crimea to russia. the un nuclear watchdog calls for the urgent protection of the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in ukraine, after shelling cuts its external power. ten people have been killed and eight injured in an explosion at a petrol station in the republic of ireland — police say it appears to have been a "tragic accident". people take to the streets around the world in support of anti—government demonstrators in iran, as three people are killed during fresh protests in the country.