this is bbc news. the headlines: a tornado has killed at least 23 people in the us state of mississippi. trees and power lines have been torn down and tens of thousands of power outages have been reported by residents. tensions continue in france — with demonstrators clashing with police in st solene, in the west of the country, during a protest against plans for a new water reservoir. the unrest follows weeks of protests over president macron�*s pension reforms. vladimir putin says russia has

struck a deal with neighbouring belarus to station tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. putin told state television that belarusian president, alexander lukashenko, has long been raising the issue with him. a massive asteroid is expected to pass between the earth and the moon this evening. experts say it will pass by safely — and can be seen through binoculars and telescopes. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for sportsday. hello i'm olly foster, here's what's coming up on sportsday the red roses run riot. the champions sink the scots in the six nations. there's a strong start for wales too, they are too strong for the irish in cardiff. and mctominay makes sure scotland start their euro

qualifying campaign with a win. also coming up on sportsday. the wait goes on for a british medal at the world figure sakting championships, as gibson and fear just miss out injapan. from the bbc sports centre, this is sportsday. we'll start with rugby union because the women's six nations championship is under way. details of a big win for wales in a moment but the grand slam champions have started thew defence of their title with a commanding victory over scotland. 58—7 the final score at kingston park in newcastle. england really hit the ground running. it took them just 8 minutes to score their first try of their campaign, claudia macdonald touching down. amy cokayne added their second before macdonald broke clear to score her second of the game.

try number two for cokayne followed before they went into the break 31—nil up, the tries continued in the second half but the biggest cheer of the match was reserved for this, mid—way through the second half. over and out for co—captain sarah hunter, this is her last england appearance and her141st cap particuarly fitting because she was born in newcastle. relentless england carried on scoring after her departure, 10 tries in all. marlie packer completing a hat—trick. a great way for hunter to bow out sheerjoy, you know, and pride to have played for this amazing team over the years, you know. ijust feel so lucky and privileged that i have been a part of it for so long and the girls have been brilliant

this week. i've had the best week. i've enjoyed it and to come out here and play at home in front of this amazing crowd and put in a performance like that, it's just, yeah, just means everything. it is one of those things, you want to take on and you want that moment to last forever but i realise the game had to go on but ijust wanted to thank you know, looking around and seeing people stand up for me was just... itjust blows my mind. it can go one of two ways when you list a world cup. you can go down i feel sorry for yourself but that is not what this team is about. the address to back in february, and the last three weeks, we have come out and it is a relatively new look squad. we've got lots of people missing. there are new faces but that energy and that want and strive to get better lives on and whoever wears that white shirt, whoever comes into

that white shirt, whoever comes into that group, that standing and belief is there of wanting to be the world's best i have absolutely no doubt that this group will go on to such amazing things and i will be the biggest redrow supporter that there is. let's get more on the match and hunters farewell from our reporterjo currie who is at kingston park 0s)jo, what a send off that was pretty stunning from england, wasn't it? perhaps a few demons being put to bed for months on from that heartbreaking world cup final defeat. as per as scotland were in large parts of that match it is hard to fault england's performance.— is hard to fault england's performance. is hard to fault england's erformance. ., . u, performance. there of the clinical at times and _ performance. there of the clinical at times and i _ performance. there of the clinical at times and i think _ performance. there of the clinical at times and i think the _ performance. there of the clinical at times and i think the range - performance. there of the clinical at times and i think the range in l at times and i think the range in which _ at times and i think the range in which they— at times and i think the range in which they scored their tries, we had to— which they scored their tries, we had to the — which they scored their tries, we had to the forwards, the drive out seriously— had to the forwards, the drive out seriously but some stunning back strides _ seriously but some stunning back strides. mcdonald was outstanding.

scotland _ strides. mcdonald was outstanding. scotland finished bottom last year and wanted to be better but today was a tough one, wasn't it? it and wanted to be better but today was a tough one, wasn't it? it was a tou~h ask was a tough one, wasn't it? it was a tough ask for _ was a tough one, wasn't it? it was a tough ask for them. _ was a tough one, wasn't it? it was a tough ask for them. england - was a tough one, wasn't it? it was a tough ask for them. england were i tough ask for them. england were hurting _ tough ask for them. england were hurting from the world cup and were always— hurting from the world cup and were always going to come firing for this one. always going to come firing for this one the _ always going to come firing for this one. the first ten minutes of the game _ one. the first ten minutes of the game and — one. the first ten minutes of the game and the last ten minutes scotland — game and the last ten minutes scotland relationship sean. i think that can _ scotland relationship sean. i think that can give them hope going onto some _ that can give them hope going onto some of— that can give them hope going onto some of the other nations. wales will be _ some of the other nations. wales will be a — some of the other nations. wales will be a massive game for them. for encland will be a massive game for them. england there will be a massive game for them. fr?" england there are young guns out there. you caught your eye? that is her first start _ there. you caught your eye? that is her first start for _ there. you caught your eye? that is her first start for england _ there. you caught your eye? that is her first start for england and - there. you caught your eye? that is her first start for england and you i her first start for england and you could _ her first start for england and you could never have told that today. the way — could never have told that today. the way she scans. she is an instinctive _ the way she scans. she is an instinctive player and i think she is definitely one to watch in that positiow — is definitely one to watch in that position. we is definitely one to watch in that osition. ~ .., ., ,., is definitely one to watch in that osition. ~ .., ., i. ., position. we cannot let you go without asking _ position. we cannot let you go

without asking you _ position. we cannot let you go without asking you about - position. we cannot let you go without asking you about your| position. we cannot let you go - without asking you about your former captain sarah hunter. pretty emotional when she came off the pitch. emotionalat emotional when she came off the pitch. emotional at the end but what a career she has had. than pitch. emotional at the end but what a career she has had. an outstanding career. 141 a career she has had. an outstanding career- 141 caps- _ a career she has had. an outstanding career. 141 caps. put _ a career she has had. an outstanding career. 141 caps. put that _ a career she has had. an outstanding career. 141 caps. put that together i career. 141 caps. put that together 'ust career. 141 caps. put that together just incredible and to catch a lot of them — just incredible and to catch a lot of them as— just incredible and to catch a lot of them as well. the amount of world cups. _ of them as well. the amount of world cups, the _ of them as well. the amount of world cups, the class. it was emotional because — cups, the class. it was emotional because she went off with a smile on her face _ because she went off with a smile on her face lit— because she went off with a smile on her face lit up i thought she might have been— her face lit up i thought she might have been bowling but she was so happy _ have been bowling but she was so happy and — have been bowling but she was so happy and they seemed in on her and she had _ happy and they seemed in on her and she had nothing but and that was so lovely— she had nothing but and that was so lovely to— she had nothing but and that was so lovely to see. i she had nothing but and that was so lovely to see-— lovely to see. i expect there will be a party _ lovely to see. i expect there will be a party tonight. _ lovely to see. i expect there will be a party tonight. she - lovely to see. i expect there will be a party tonight. she can - lovely to see. i expect there will| be a party tonight. she can party tonight. not sure if the rest of the players can but once the dust has settled on this game and sarah hunter is retiring this evening, england start to focus on their next match and scotland will be hoping for huge improvements when they take on wales next weekend. its, big for huge improvements when they take on wales next weekend.— on wales next weekend. a big way in for england- — on wales next weekend. a big way in for england- many — on wales next weekend. a big way in for england. many thanks _ on wales next weekend. a big way in for england. many thanks indeed. - many thanks indeed. wales also had a big win over ireland. 31—5 the final score at cardiff arms park. they overpowered the irish, scoring four tries in the first, kerin lake burst through to set up her captain hannahjones and they led 26—nil at the break. one player scored a fifth early in the second half to put

the game out of sight although the irish did score late on. there is no words that can explain how i am feeling right now. just grateful for the team that i have, for my family and fans who have always supported me on and off the field. irate always supported me on and off the field. . ., _, ., ., always supported me on and off the field. . ., ., ., ., field. we have come a long way and i 'ust want field. we have come a long way and i just want to — field. we have come a long way and i just want to thank _ field. we have come a long way and i just want to thank the _ field. we have come a long way and i just want to thank the crowd - field. we have come a long way and i just want to thank the crowd here - just want to thank the crowd here today _ just want to thank the crowd here today we — just want to thank the crowd here today. we got a record crowd today and it _ today. we got a record crowd today and it has _ today. we got a record crowd today and it hasjust been a brilliant atmosphere to thank you very much. in atmosphere to thank you very much. in the _ atmosphere to thank you very much. in the first _ atmosphere to thank you very much. in the first have our own errors let us down _ in the first have our own errors let us down and — in the first have our own errors let us down and gave _ in the first have our own errors let us down and gave wales _ in the first have our own errors let i us down and gave wales possession and they— us down and gave wales possession and they are — us down and gave wales possession and they are going _ us down and gave wales possession and they are going to _ us down and gave wales possession and they are going to execute. - us down and gave wales possession and they are going to execute. they were always — and they are going to execute. they were always going _ and they are going to execute. they were always going to _ and they are going to execute. they were always going to come - and they are going to execute. they were always going to come out - and they are going to execute. they were always going to come out on l and they are going to execute. they l were always going to come out on top so our— were always going to come out on top so our own— were always going to come out on top so our own errors _ were always going to come out on top so our own errors led _ were always going to come out on top so our own errors led to _ were always going to come out on top so our own errors led to those - so our own errors led to those points — so our own errors led to those points and _ so our own errors led to those points and we _ so our own errors led to those points and we went _ so our own errors led to those points and we went in - so our own errors led to those points and we went in at - so our own errors led to those - points and we went in at half—time and said. — points and we went in at half—time and said. we — points and we went in at half—time and said, we have _ points and we went in at half—time and said, we have to— points and we went in at half—time and said, we have to eradicate - points and we went in at half—time i and said, we have to eradicate them and said, we have to eradicate them and start— and said, we have to eradicate them and start playing _ and said, we have to eradicate them and start playing our— and said, we have to eradicate them and start playing our style _ and said, we have to eradicate them and start playing our style of- and said, we have to eradicate them and start playing our style of rugby. and start playing our style of rugby and start playing our style of rugby and for _ and start playing our style of rugby and for the — and start playing our style of rugby and for the last— and start playing our style of rugby and for the last 20 _ and start playing our style of rugby and for the last 20 minutes - and start playing our style of rugby and for the last 20 minutes we - and start playing our style of rugby. and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart _ and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart of— and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart of this _ and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart of this team. _ and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart of this team. it _ and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart of this team. it is- and for the last 20 minutes we show the heart of this team. it isjust - the heart of this team. it isjust our execution _ the heart of this team. it isjust our execution at _ the heart of this team. it isjust our execution at times - the heart of this team. it isjust our execution at times let - the heart of this team. it isjust our execution at times let us i the heart of this team. it isjust i our execution at times let us down and we _ our execution at times let us down and we will— our execution at times let us down and we will build _ our execution at times let us down and we will build on _ our execution at times let us down and we will build on that. - we'll have lots more domestic rugby union later in the programme, let's have a quick look at some

of the other stories making the headlines today. a representative for qatari banker sheikh jassim has confirmed that a second bid has been submitted to buy manchester united. the ineos owner sirjim ratcliffe and finnish businessman thomas zilliacus have aslo tabled offers. a brazilian court has fined the three—time formula 1 world champion nelson piquet £780,000 for making racist and homophobic comments about mercedes driver lewis hamilton in a 2021 interview. 70—year—old piquet later apologised for the remark. lilah fear and lewis gibsonjust missed out on a medal at the figure skating world championships injapan the european silver medalists secured a season's best score for their free dance routine, but then watched on as the american,

italian and canadian, couples bettered their score and they had to settle for 4th. england cricketerjonny bairstow will miss the indian premier league that starts next week. he's still recovering from a broken leg, after a freak acident on a golf course in sepetember. scotland have started their european championship qualifying campaign with a win. they beat cyprus 3—0 at hampden park. they only made sure of the points late on though. joe lynskey reports for scotland, match one must must win. their path to the euros would starter time to cyprus, the lowest ranked team in their group. but right now, hope rings round hamdan. scott then reach the last euros and now feel they have their strongest squad for key to it all the goals of their midfielder. in the last four years, he was their top scorer. his

16th for their country was their qualifying left. scotland's captain cul desperately toughest of them all. they face spain here on tuesday where experience may be key to a result. here, he came off the bench to ease the scottish nerves. 87 minutes and they had their second goal but there was still time for more. before today, he had scored just once for scotland. now cyprus opened up to give him two in six minutes. for scotland, greater tests are coming but they have their winning start. wells are about to start their qualifying campaign. they are in split facing croatia. kick—off very, very shortly. go to the bbc website to keep across that and you can catch up with all the team news. and you can catch up with all the team news. england had that win over italy in naples a few nights ago, they are back at wembley tomorrow facing ukraine. reece james has withdrawn

from the squad and returned to chelsea after picking up an injury. our reporter alex howell has been with england today, who have based themselves at the tottenham hotspur training ground. the england squad were back on the training pitch today here at the tottenham hotspur training ground. all available players were out on the pitch but chelsea's risa james has withdrawn from the squad due to injury and luke shaw is suspended for the match at wembley on sunday after getting sent off against italy mid week. that means gareth southgate has gotjust 21 players available for the match against ukraine tomorrow. ukraine are not able to play their matches in their home country due to the invasion by russia and gareth southgate says that that won't affect the team and he knows the challenge they're going to face tomorrow. thea;r he knows the challenge they're going to face tomorrow.— to face tomorrow. they are a proud u-rou to face tomorrow. they are a proud a-rou of to face tomorrow. they are a proud group of players. — to face tomorrow. they are a proud group of players. you _ to face tomorrow. they are a proud group of players, you can _ to face tomorrow. they are a proud group of players, you can see - to face tomorrow. they are a proud group of players, you can see that. | group of players, you can see that. totally _ group of players, you can see that. totally committed to bringing enjoyment to their public, and,

yeah. _ enjoyment to their public, and, yeah. we. _ enjoyment to their public, and, yeah, we, of course, have huge sympathy— yeah, we, of course, have huge sympathy with what is going on and support— sympathy with what is going on and support for what is going on but tomorrow— support for what is going on but tomorrow is a game of football and we are _ tomorrow is a game of football and we are fully focused on trying to win the — we are fully focused on trying to win the game. we are fully focused on trying to win the game-— win the game. there is only one uncapped _ win the game. there is only one uncapped player— win the game. there is only one uncapped player in _ win the game. there is only one uncapped player in this - win the game. there is only one uncapped player in this squad i win the game. there is only one i uncapped player in this squad and thatis uncapped player in this squad and that is the brentford striker who has the second—highest english goal—scorer in the premier league and the behind the england captain harry kane. he has been called up once before but did not make an appearance. he did not make the world cup squad in qatar and i asked the england manager whether he is likely to make the day before the national side tomorrow. he likely to make the day before the national side tomorrow.— likely to make the day before the national side tomorrow. he has been ve aood. national side tomorrow. he has been very good- we _ national side tomorrow. he has been very good. we really _ national side tomorrow. he has been very good. we really like _ national side tomorrow. he has been very good. we really like him. - national side tomorrow. he has been very good. we really like him. and i very good. we really like him. and he is _ very good. we really like him. and he is very— very good. we really like him. and he is very much in our thoughts. it is a dual— he is very much in our thoughts. it is a dual objective. there is of course — is a dual objective. there is of course a — is a dual objective. there is of course a desire to see players but we are _ course a desire to see players but we are in— course a desire to see players but we are in a — course a desire to see players but we are in a qualifying group. the priority— we are in a qualifying group. the priority is— we are in a qualifying group. the priority is to win the game, first and foremost. so whatever we decide

is with— and foremost. so whatever we decide is with a _ and foremost. so whatever we decide is with a view to doing that. england _ is with a view to doing that. england got their qualifying campaign off to a good start after they beat italy in midweek. it was they beat italy in midweek. it was the first time they have beaten the italians away since 1961. pickford is one of the most experienced players in this england squad and he is hoping that they can continue their good form with victory and start the qualifying campaign and a good way. we met it was a massive game, and history we have not won there for a long time. it felt like we took the steps we need to take to become winners. just could be a lane down as a team, the togetherness, the squat mentality, you know, to go forward and be able to beat italy away from home was a massive game for us. england's team tomorrow is the first one they have played at wembley this gareth southgate says top teams back—up their results and he hopes that when he releases players back to the clubs they are still unbeaten and in a strong position as they hope to qualify for the european championships next year. the european championships next year. england's under 21's are playing a couple of friendlies in this

international break as they prepaere for the summer's european championship. they beat the france under 21s by four goals to nil at leicester's king power stadium. all of the goals came in the second—half with emile smith rowe and noni madueke putting england two up before this superb finish from liverpool's curtisjones. jacob ramsey rounded off the scoring five minutes from time as lee carsley�*s side eased to victory, their next match is against croatia on tuesday at craven cottage. some big games in the women's super league. arsenal have kept themselves in title contention after thrashing tottenham 5—1 away in the north london derby australian international caitlin foord scored twice either side of the break. they only led 2—1 with 25 minutes to play, late goals secures the points, that was the fifth from frida maanum. arsenal are no third in the table.3 points behind leaders manchester united with a game in hand.

manchester united returned to the top with a 4—0 win over west ham at old trafford. owen farrell limped off iwith an injury but emerged victorious in his battle against fellow england fly—half marcus smith as saracens beat harlequins 36—24 at the tottenham hotspur stadium. after two early tries apiece, saracens edged in front for the first time in the 13th minute as ivan van zyl sent nick tompkins over. farrell added the conversion and a penalty for saracens to extend their lead before they worked the ball wide for andrew christie to crash over in the corner for a 22—7 half—time lead.quins rallied after the break and cut the deficit to eight points. marcus smith was instrumental as his fine pass allowed

caden murley to touch down. sean maitland and murley swapped tries but a maro itoje score from close range was enough seal victory for saracens. good win for leicester tigers 46—24 over bristol. london irish win — 37 to northampton saints 22. in the united rugby championship connacht captain caolin blade scored a hat—trick of tries as his side overhwhelmed edinburgh by 41 points to 26 connacht dominated the match and ran in three tries before half time, with blade getting the first of his three. more of the same followed after the break with 2 more tries for blade as connacht notched up their fifth consecutive victory. both sides picked up a bonus point. ospreys kept their hopes of finishing as the top welsh region alive, running in 5 tries to beat struggling dragons 37 by points to 18. iestyn hopkins went over for the bonus point winning fourth score.

the wru's acting chief executive— nigel walker says the future of welsh rugby is on the line this weekend — more than 280 clubs will meet at an extraordinary general meeting in port talbot tomorrow. they'll vote on plans to modernise the way the game is run following a series of scandals that have rocked the union — including allegations of misogyny, sexism and racism. matt murray reports. steeped in history, the rugby club has been in existence longer than the wru and its chairman is not underplaying how important this vote is on sunday. you'll make the most important meeting in the history of the welsh rugby union. a long history. the club's game in the welsh premier division was postponed because of the weather and pitch conditions but the two still met to

talk about the crucial vote. the egm comes after accusations of bullying, sexism and misogyny. you comes after accusations of bullying, sexism and misogyny.— comes after accusations of bullying, sexism and misogyny. you cannot have 5096 of the population _ sexism and misogyny. you cannot have 5096 of the population being _ sexism and misogyny. you cannot have 5096 of the population being treated . 50% of the population being treated in that— 50% of the population being treated in that manner. you cannot have bullying — in that manner. you cannot have bullying across the board, it is 'ust bullying across the board, it is just not — bullying across the board, it is just not acceptable, you know. if you are — just not acceptable, you know. if you are involved in business you will know — you are involved in business you will know the end results of that are not— will know the end results of that are not petty for anybody. in any business- _ are not petty for anybody. in any business- it _ are not petty for anybody. in any business. it is _ are not petty for anybody. in any business. it isjust _ are not petty for anybody. in any business. it isjust unforgettable j business. it is just unforgettable in any business. in the modern world we live in now. in any business. in the modern world we live in now— we live in now. nobody wants to be associated with _ we live in now. nobody wants to be associated with the _ we live in now. nobody wants to be associated with the accusations - we live in now. nobody wants to bej associated with the accusations and what has _ associated with the accusations and what has gone on. the fear, i think, has been _ what has gone on. the fear, i think, has been expressed, is loss of a lot of sponsorship. that is something that the _ of sponsorship. that is something that the game would probably find very difficult to survive. the that the game would probably find very difficult to survive.— very difficult to survive. the need for changes _ very difficult to survive. the need for changes exhilarating - very difficult to survive. the need for changes exhilarating of - very difficult to survive. the need for changes exhilarating of the i very difficult to survive. the need l for changes exhilarating of the last six months, massively. fine for changes exhilarating of the last six months, massively.— six months, massively. one of the ro osals six months, massively. one of the proposals are _ six months, massively. one of the proposals are to — six months, massively. one of the proposals are to have _ six months, massively. one of the proposals are to have at _ six months, massively. one of the proposals are to have at least i six months, massively. one of the proposals are to have at least five | proposals are to have at least five women are the target are five women on the board. that is a big change,

isn't it? is on the board. that is a big change, isn't it? , ~ , , on the board. that is a big change, isn't it? , ~ , _ ., on the board. that is a big change, isn'tit? ,~ , . , isn't it? is welsh rugby and welsh ru:b isn't it? is welsh rugby and welsh rugby clubs _ isn't it? is welsh rugby and welsh rugby clubs need _ isn't it? is welsh rugby and welsh rugby clubs need to _ isn't it? is welsh rugby and welsh rugby clubs need to reflect - rugby clubs need to reflect 215t—century society and be diverse. also, _ 215t—century society and be diverse. also, women in one of the top whether that is ceo or the chair. that is the best person for the job, fine. it has to be the best person, male or female. fine. it has to be the best person, male orfemale. it fine. it has to be the best person, male or female. it has to be the best person for thejob male or female. it has to be the best person for the job because that is some challenge. this is seen as a watershed moment for welsh rugby. a clear chance for it to lose its image as an old boys club. there are calls for notjust changes at image as an old boys club. there are calls for not just changes at the top with women appointed to the board but also changes at a grassroots level.— board but also changes at a grassroots level. i've spoken to some of my _ grassroots level. i've spoken to some of my rugby _ grassroots level. i've spoken to some of my rugby clubs. i i grassroots level. i've spoken to i some of my rugby clubs. i invited them _ some of my rugby clubs. i invited them to— some of my rugby clubs. i invited them to come _ some of my rugby clubs. i invited them to come to _ some of my rugby clubs. i invited them to come to speak— some of my rugby clubs. i invited them to come to speak to - some of my rugby clubs. i invited them to come to speak to me i some of my rugby clubs. i invited| them to come to speak to me and some of my rugby clubs. i invited i them to come to speak to me and i think— them to come to speak to me and i think it _ them to come to speak to me and i think it is _ them to come to speak to me and i think it is really— them to come to speak to me and i think it is really important - them to come to speak to me and i think it is really important that i think it is really important that they— think it is really important that they audit _ think it is really important that they audit the _ think it is really important that they audit the skills _ think it is really important that they audit the skills of- think it is really important that they audit the skills of the i think it is really important that i they audit the skills of the women that they— they audit the skills of the women that they have _ they audit the skills of the women that they have around _ they audit the skills of the women that they have around the - they audit the skills of the women that they have around the game. i they audit the skills of the womenl that they have around the game. it is not _ that they have around the game. it is notjust— that they have around the game. it is not just about _ that they have around the game. it is not just about female _ that they have around the game. it is notjust about female players. i is not just about female players. it's is not just about female players. it's about— is not just about female players. it's about women _ is not just about female players. it's about women in _ is not just about female players. it's about women in sport, - is notjust about female players. i it's about women in sport, women in business _ it's about women in sport, women in business and — it's about women in sport, women in business and bringing _ it's about women in sport, women in business and bringing them - it's about women in sport, women in business and bringing them together to run— business and bringing them together to run better— business and bringing them together to run better businesses, _ business and bringing them together to run better businesses, better- to run better businesses, better rugby—

to run better businesses, better rugby clubs _ to run better businesses, better rugby clubs and _ to run better businesses, better rugby clubs and to _ to run better businesses, better rugby clubs and to promote i to run better businesses, better rugby clubs and to promote the | to run better businesses, better- rugby clubs and to promote the game in wales _ rugby clubs and to promote the game in wales. and— rugby clubs and to promote the game in wales. �* ~ . rugby clubs and to promote the game in wales. �* . ., , ., in wales. and the wru are straight talkin: in wales. and the wru are straight talking about _ in wales. and the wru are straight talking about what _ in wales. and the wru are straight talking about what is _ in wales. and the wru are straight talking about what is at _ in wales. and the wru are straight talking about what is at stake i in wales. and the wru are straightj talking about what is at stake here. identikit as possible to overhyped the importance of sunday's fade. put simply, if we did make the changes we've advocated, the welsh rugby union and welsh rugby, the whole of welsh rugby will be in danger of disappearing because we simply have to make the governance changes that brings us in line with modern day best practice. it is a simple as that. ., ., , , ., ., best practice. it is a simple as that. ., _. , ., ., , that. for a country so proud of its ast on that. for a country so proud of its past on the _ that. for a country so proud of its past on the pitch _ that. for a country so proud of its past on the pitch this _ that. for a country so proud of its past on the pitch this is _ that. for a country so proud of its past on the pitch this is seen i that. for a country so proud of its past on the pitch this is seen as i that. for a country so proud of its past on the pitch this is seen as a j past on the pitch this is seen as a time to modernise and up to the future. time to modernise and up to the future. in super league, leeds rhinos ended catalans dragons' unbeaten start to the season, staging a great comeback to win 32—22 at headingley. the visitors started strongly and tom davies was the first to go over with this acrobatic effort. but despite building up a 14 point lead at the break, leeds fought back. harry newman sealing the victory with one of five second—half tries, touching down in—between the sticks late on to put the game beyond the reach of the dragons. that moves leeds up

to seventh in the table. esports, competitive gaming, has long been touted as a potential olympic discipline and it might feature as a demonstration sport in paris next year. any inclusion is likely to be met with fierce resistance but it's been said that the ioc is keen to tap into its global popularity. lizzie greenwood—hughes spoke to esl pro league commissioner alexander inglot to hear his thoughts on any possible partnership. there are two schools actually within these points with quite different views. there are those who believe that kind of time themselves into and intertwining their events into and intertwining their events in the competitions into the olympic

space of the traditional sport space is criticalfor space of the traditional sport space is critical for the next step for showing a certain maturity, showing a certain level of sophistication, for really reaching new audiences to reach new sponsors, to which new fans. but for every person feels that way there is another person who feels like, well, hold down a second. we created this a bit strapped this whole industry. we moulded it together and our own image with their own priorities, with their own platforms, rules, regulations. why do we need to kind of come, you know, hat in hand, asking for acceptance? bending over and adapting to the rules and regulations of traditional sports in order to quote fit in. do you think that olympics need you more than you need them? we that olympics need you more than you need them? ~ ., ., ., that olympics need you more than you need them?— need them? we have got our biggest event, our grand _ need them? we have got our biggest event, our grand slams _ need them? we have got our biggest event, our grand slams for— need them? we have got our biggest event, our grand slams for the i need them? we have got our biggest event, our grand slams for the want| event, our grand slams for the want of a better phrase, we get 1.7 million viewers watching to media and online. we get, we sell out arenas with 20,000 seats every night

when we put on our prestigious events. our players have salaries of 20-50,000 events. our players have salaries of 20—50,000 per month depending on what region of the world they come from. we are a fully fledged, self —dependent, successful entertainment product, game, competition. so we don't need anybody. to keep going. another question is, why does the olympics consider it so important that they try to tap into e sports? in my opinion, it is a two—way relationship. if it is going to develop into a relationship it has to be a two—way relationship and there has to be respect and compromise from both sides. this cannot be e sports welcome, if you want to come into our door here as a whole list of demands and if you don't do it then you will be left out in the code because e sports is definitely not out in the cold. than definitely not out in the cold. an entertainment or a sport? that is the great debate. that is the great debate. to the nfl next and a story of overcoming the odds. chargers austin ekeler went

from undrafted rookie battling to make the team, to starting running back. he puts it down to his mental toughness due to his upbringing on a ranch, when from an early age his then—step dad would get him up at the crack of dawn to build fences all day. growing up there was no option. there was no option. you could not complain. you had to go hard. so my mum's ex—husband, hated him for this but he was always yelling, just physical, just had a presence of hay, when i ask you to do something, you get it done right now and you don't complain. that was it you face the consequences. anything we got and we got it done, i got it done now, fast, immediately, efficient. that is how i grew up and i was younger. and i went to play sports, i was the most coachable guy on the field because you asked me to do something i'm getting it done so from a young age i did not know what

that was doing to me but mentally, it was just that was doing to me but mentally, it wasjust moulding that was doing to me but mentally, it was just moulding me to be the super mentally tough individual where it is like, i put my mind to something i go get it and it is who i am. it is who i was then even though i did not know that was what i was getting moulded to be. it has stayed with me and i try to teach people about that and just how i have mentally prepared myself by going and practising. i was practising mental toughness. going and practising. i was practising mentaltoughness. i going and practising. i was practising mental toughness. iwas practising. like, you go out and practice football, you practice playing an instrument and things like that but how do you practice mental toughness? like that but how do you practice mentaltoughness? it like that but how do you practice mental toughness? it is discipline, it is putting yourself in situations where you have to push on beyond what you want to do. when i got the opportunity to play for the chargers i treated it as it my life depended on it. i did notjust go hard. i treated it like if i do not do this

my life will be a failure. that is how i approached it. this is everything. there is nothing else. it is this. i have to get this done and make it sure i make the team and make my reputation. that was my mindset and so i tapped into my survival instincts when it went to being on the practice field, when i went to making sure i was studying, talking, connecting. for me, when i was on the field i was untouchable. i remember sitting down with my coach and literally broke down crying. i'm notan coach and literally broke down crying. i'm not an emotional person but i broke down crying because i was so stressed out that i did not up was so stressed out that i did not up the chart and i was putting every ounce of my energy in, all of it. i never moved up the chart. i did not move up the chart and tie made the team. anthony lyndon did not know my name until i made the team. i was number three. name until i made the team. i was numberthree. i name until i made the team. i was number three. i was number three so thatis number three. i was number three so that is what i was dealing with. that is how far the odds were against me. he didn't even know my name and guess what? i made enough of an impact to make the roster. that has got me pumped for the rest of the weekend. life lessons. a

reminder of our top story put up wins for england and wales in the six nations. much more on the bbc sport website. goodbye. some showers this evening. more persistent rain pushing into south—west england, wales, central and eastern england, parts of the midlands. further north the showers fade. clearerskies midlands. further north the showers fade. clearer skies across northern scotland but wintry showers and here we will see temperatures at or below freezing. similar across the north of england. overnight lows between four and seven and of course, don't forget, the clocks go forward one hour to the early hours of sunday morning and sunday starts on a wet

note the southern half of the uk. this band of rain will clear leaving cloud for much of england and wales and northern ireland. sunshine for the north and further wintry showers pushing into scotland and north—east england. a much colderfeeling day. temperatures mid to high single figures put up a cold but sunny start to the new week. a dry start on monday turning increasingly wet and windy but also much milder.

this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak with the headlines. at least 23 people have died as violent storms triggered by a tornado rip through the southern us state of mississippi. growing tension in france — riots today in the west — after unrest in the capital. vladimir putin says russia has struck a deal with neighbouring belarus to station tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. hello and welcome to bbc world news.

a tornado has killed at least 23 people in the us