so how much did rugby union know about it? well, more than you might think. ional rugby board held a medical conference in dublin where head injuries were discussed, and they were warned by neurosurgeon geoffrey vanderfield that concussions needed to be taken seriously, as even a slight injury could be life—threatening. the rugby authorities reacted, ruling players had to take a three—week break after a suspected concussion, and they continued to get advice from experts over the following decades. in 1992, at a rugby medical conference in new zealand, the message from two neurosurgeons is pretty blunt. they say there's good evidence of some permanent effect from a single concussion. and if they have a third concussion, they shouldn't be selected to play again and should be advised to take up a non—contact sport. world rugby told us there are different opinions on how concussion should be managed, but they were unaware of any current guidelines or research recommending that players should retire after three concussions. back when rugby union was amateur, it was

he told the bbc�*s rugby union weekly podcast that "life's pretty crazy". easy to get lost in terms of, when i don't get selected, oh, my god, what are they doing? it's crazy, you should be there, and you can kinda fall into that and, without even realising, become the victim for some that's something that i definitely did not want to because that's not me to stop feeling sorry for myself, i hate that, and it's something that i never want to kind of become. now, it's not losing yourself, in terms of everyone telling how great you are full of it's like, i did not get selected in the first place because obviously i was not good enough, so that's what i need to improve, and that's what i need to improve, and that's what i focused on full is good as i —— if i'm good as i should be that i would be there, and i am modestly not, so i need to improve. the last few weeks of really going back to the basics and improve my game, now i'm there, everyone, the support has been great and everone is telling me congratulations and how great everything is come and it's like,

around 3% of adults have a stammer, and one of those with the condition is the former scotland rugby unionaptain kelly brown. he's been speaking to our reporter lydia campbell, who also has a stammer, about how sport can help to build communication skills. iam i am kelly brown, former scotland rugby captain, and i've got a stammer. like me, kell is i've got a stammer. like me, kelly is one _ i've got a stammer. like me, kelly is one of— i've got a stammer. like me, kelly is one of the _ i've got a stammer. like me, kelly is one of the estimated | kelly is one of the estimated 1.5 million adults in the uk who have a stammer, a neurological condition that makes it physically hard to speak. but kelly also reached the highest level of his sport and having a stammer was never and having a stammer was never an issue when playing rugby. i started playing when i was about five. every sunday i'd go down to the club and all my mates were there and we got to throw a ball around and have fun so it was never even an issue, not even part of the conversation. it was just a part of me and no—one cared and

rugby union's pro 1a is being re—named the united rugby championship — with four teams from south africa changed back to one division with play—offs. the banned american runner shelby houlihan is blaming her failed drugs test on a burrito. the us record holder over 1,500 and 5,000 metres will miss the next two 0lympics after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone. houlihan says she ate the pork meal the night before her test. chris froome will ride in this month's tour de france. the four time champion captains the "isreal start up nation" team, but isn't expected to try to win as he continues his recovery from a huge crash two years ago, in which he suffered multiple fractures. well, after that speed through the rest of the sport, let's get back to john at wembley. many thanks indeed. a reminder that alongside the euros this summer, the cop of america is running this summer. it's been removed from argentina and colombia, they were stripped from the tournament and it's being staged in brazil, also delayed a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. it was argentina who got us under

harlequins have completed the most extraordinary comeback, beating bristol to reach rugby union's premiershipinal after they were 28—nil down at half time. the match had finished at 31—all at the end of normal time, but two tries including this from joe marchant sealed the victory, 15—36 to harlequins. they'll face exeter chiefs in the final, alex cuthbert crashed over with their last try before a joe simmonds penalty clinched the victory over sale sharks. after the disappointment of crashing out of the last race, max verstappen bounced back to claim pole in qualifying for tomorrow's french grand prix. the championship leader had dominated practice and put his red bull on the top spot on the grid a quarter of a second ahead of world champion lewis hamilton. valtteri bottas in the other mercedes will start from third. i'm just going to stay hopeful and do what i can. obviously, you have a fighting chance and there's going to be some interesting tomorrow. you'll potentially to see them do their thing. i'm excited. the feature race on the final day of this year's royal ascot meeting, the diamond

harlequins have completed the most extraordinary comeback, beating bristol to reach rugby union's premiershipfrom joe marchant sealed the victory, 43—36 to harlequins.

pulled off an extraordinary comeback from 28 nil down at half time — as they beat bristol to reach rugby union'sme but two tries including this from joe marchant sealed the victory, 15—36 to harlequins. they'll face exeter chiefs in the final, alex cuthbert crashed over with their last try before a joe simmonds penalty clinched the victory over sale sharks. after the disappointment of crashing out of the last race max verstappen bounced back to claim pole in qualifying for tomorrow's french grand prix. the championship leader had dominated practic and put his red bull on the top spot on the grid, a quarter of a second ahead of world champion lewis hamilton. valtteri bottas in the other mercedes will start from third. the feature race on the final day of this year's royal ascot meeting, the diamond jubilee stakes was won by the 3—1 favourite, dream of dreams ridden by ryan moore with the queen in attendance for the first time this week. it was the second time one of sir michael stoute's horses has won the race, which gives him 82 ascot wins overall, more than any other trainer. that's all from sp

rugby union's premiership is to expand to 1a clubs from the 2022—23 season with no relegation from thep the financial stability and sustainability of professional rugby in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. for everything else, you can head to the bbc sport website. but that's all your support for now. hello. the north—south split in our weather becomes rather more east—west over but becomes rather more east—west over make the no the but make the north of the west of the country which is seen the best of the sunshine, the warmth further east of the sunshine, the warmth further eas. ., , , of the sunshine, the warmth further easi ., , , ., ., . of the sunshine, the warmth further easi .,, , ., ., . ., of the sunshine, the warmth further easi ., , , ., ., . ., ., east has been grand ounce of what it looks like high _ east has been grand ounce of what it looks like high pressure _ east has been grand ounce of what it looks like high pressure will- east has been grand ounce of what it looks like high pressure will bring . looks like high pressure will bring in, bringing sunnier skies. l

i've been speaking to our rugby union correspondent sara orchard, who started by telling me about theting for for players tojoin up with we are still waiting for for players to join up with the squad. before exiting players involved in the premiership final at twickenham on saturday. —— exeter. they're going into the friendly match against japan at murray field. only two bits of team news that have been announced we had that start 15. the scotland vegas and come he had a back spasm earlier this week in training. if it was a test they might arrest him a little bit longer but as it is not the case it means the island tadhg furlong will come in for him. also henry watson from the scotland linker suffered a concussion and training. he soon replaced in the starting line—up by wales justin. replaced in the starting line-up by walesjustin-_ replaced in the starting line-up by walesjustin. ., ., ., ., , wales justin. tomorrow also sees the premiership — wales justin. tomorrow also sees the premiership final _ wales justin. tomorrow also sees the premiership final between _ wales justin. tomor

gloucester�*s game at worcester warriors in rugby union's premiership has been cancelled due to a covidhave called off. england are through to the semi—finals of the european hockey championships. sam ward completed a hat—trick with a penalty conversion in the last minute, to give england a 3—2 victory over spain. and all—rounder sophia dunkley has been given her first england women's central contract for this season. she made her international debut at the twenty20 world cup three years ago. dunkley�*s one of 17 players to receive a deal, ahead of a busy summer which starts with their first test against india in more than seven years, next wednesday. the england and wales cricket board is investigating reports that a second england player had posted "offensive material" in the past. wisden said it uncovered a tweet containing a racist term by the un—named player when they were under 16. it comes just days after the bowler 0llie robinson was suspended, pending an investigation into racist and sexist tweets that he posted in 2012 and 2013. joe wilson has more. at edgbaston, a test match

to rugby union. layers and other staff. the match wont be rescheduled — with a panel allocating the points for the match. neither side can qualify for the play—offs though. world no one novak djokovic continued his imperious form this year with a confident straight sets win over tennys sandberg in the first round of the french open in paris..... the french open in paris. he's never lost his opening match at roland garros in 16 previous editions and never looked like upsetting that statistic. he came through 6—2, 6—4, 6—2, injust under two hours. the 18 time grand slam winner saving all six break points he faced en route to victory. and men's defending champion rafael nadal beat australia's alexei popyrin in straight sets in the first round. lots of expectation on the shoulders of the spaniard as he's in the same half of the draw as djokovic and federer but he's just happy to have won his opening match. this time was with the part of the drama of the number one. but still, they remain a lot with me for

the irish rugby union will allocate 3,000 tickets for the japan game to front line workers in recognitionrning to the tour de france for the first time since 2018. the race gets under way on saturday and he's been named in the eight—man deceuninck-quickstep team after irishman sam bennett was ruled out through injury. everything else, of course, the bbc sport website is the place to go, but that is all your sport for now. hello. well, june so far is running drier than average. in parts of scotland and northern ireland, it's been a mainly dry day. we've seen some sunshine, but across southern england, where it's been for some areas here very wet so far this month, there has been yet more rain. with temperatures struggling around 12, 13 degrees, and these weather fronts moving away into tuesday. a new set of weather fronts approaching northwestern areas. we will still see some outbreaks of rain affecting parts of england and wales into tonight, becoming confined to parts of southern england by morning. elsewhere, we've got clearing skies and temperatures really quite low for the time of the

harlequins have completed the most extraordinary comeback beating bristol to reach rugby union's premiershipt 31—31 at the end of normal time but two tries including this from joe marchant sealed the victory, 113—36 to harlequins. england's richard bland shares the clubhouse lead at the us open, heading into the third round which has just seen the first pairings head out at torrey pines in san diego. 48—year—old bland only won his first european tour event a few weeks ago and has only ever played in two majors. he's the oldest man to co lead the us open at the halfway stage. golf is all i know. when times got tough and i lost my card two or three times, i thought what would i do, go and get an officejob? i'm not that intelligent, i'm afraid. it was right, ok, i'll get my head down and work hard, and i always knew i had the game to compete on the european tour at the highest level, i have always known that. but as any golf career, you're going to have peaks and troughs of course. i think every kind of sportsman and woman they have that never die or never quit attitude. at the queen's club in

and in rugby union, the england prop kyle sinckler has been called up to the british and irish lionsuffered an injury while playing for leinster on friday. he'lljoin up with the lions following the conclusion of bristol bears domestic season. the president of el salvador has told a bitcoin conference in florida that he'll make the cryptocurrency legal tender in his country alongside the us dollar. if congress backs his proposal, el salvador would become the first country in the world to formally adopt bitcoin. aru na iyengar reports. miami, and a bitcoin conference generates huge interest not least because of this announcement from the salvadoran president. next week i will send to congress a bill that will make bitcoin legal tender. in the short—term this will generate jobs and help financial inclusion. nayib bukele says that using bitcoin would make it easier and cheaper for salvadorans living abroad to send money home. about one quarter of el salvadorans live in the us, and last year they sent home nearly $6 billion in remittances. this involves costly fees. presidetn nayib bukele

and in rugby union, the england prop kyle sinckler has been called up to the british and irish lionsnjury while playing for leinster on friday. he'lljoin up with the lions following the conclusion of bristol bears domestic season. kent county council says child migrants arriving at dover may be turned away within days, because its services are being overwhelmed. the council has taken the first steps of legal action against the home secretary priti patel, saying other local authorities should take �*their fair share'. according to the council, 2112 child migrants have arrived on kent shores this year, but only 52 have been moved to other local authorities under a voluntary transfer scheme. the president of el salvador has told a bitcoin conference in florida that he'll make the crypto currency legal tender in his country alongside the us dollar. if congress backs his proposal, el salvador would become the first country in the world to formally adopt bitcoin. aru na iyengar reports. miami, and a bitcoin conference generates huge interest not least because of this announcement from the

and in rugby union, the england prop kyle sinckler has been called up to the british and irish lions while playing for leinster on friday. he'lljoin up with the lions following the conclusion of bristol bears' domestic season. the president of el salvador has told a bitcoin conference in florida that he'll make the crypto currency legal tender in his country alongside the us dollar. if congress backs his proposal, el salvador would become the first country in the world to formally adopt bitcoin. rohan grey, the vice—chair of the policy and governance working group at the digital currency global initiative explains how el salvador president's proposal has to pass through many contentious hurdles before it can become a reality. the first thing to be clear is that this is a bill proposal, it is not actual pass legislation, there are going to be a lot of details to work out, many of them are likely to be contentious, and there is no evidence that this proposal, however it ends up, is going to be acceptable to the broader public or to the relevant stakeholders. this is also at administrat

there's more on the bbc sport website, including the results from the final round of rugby union's premiership tandem road race at the paracycling road world championships. that's all from me. andrew marr will be live from cornwall tomorrow morning where he'll be joined by the foreign secretary, dominic raab. that's at 9am on bbc one. good night. you're watching bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. let's tell you about an event that took place earlier today when around 2000 people gathered for the funeral of a 16—year—old who died after being stabbed outside of school. the service was held in a park in luton. humza hussain's family say they are "extremely saddened and heartbroken" — as kate bradbrook reports. humza hussain's death has had a huge effect on this community. many people still coming to terms with what has happened. the funeral is taking place here at the park to make it as covid—safe as possible, and to allow those who knew him to say their farewells. this tragedy has devastated and hurt the family, and many of us are still hurting and still in shock. humza was a young and beautiful soul

the british stammering association — and one of those with the condition is the former scotland rugby unionly brown is through. i'm kelly brown, former scotland rugby captain, and i've got a stammer. like me, kelly is one of the estimated 1.5 million adults in the uk who have a stammer, a neurological condition that makes it physically hard to speak. but kelly also rates the highest level of his sport, and having a stammer was never an issue when playing rugby. i started playing when i was about five, every sunday i'd go down to the club and all my mates were there, and we got to go out and throw a ball around and have fun, and so it was never even an issue, it wasn't even a part of the conversation. it was just a part of me and no one cared, and everyonejust accepted it. when i was growing up, really struggling with my speech, i found sport was the safe spot. do you think that sport, with it being so communication based, can really help kids with stammers? i think it's brilliant for all sorts of life skills, but especially communication, because it teaches you how to be a part of a team, a

the irish rugby union will allocate 3,000 tickets for the japan game to front line workers in recognitionr irishman sam bennett was ruled out through injury. for everything else, of course, the bbc sport website is the place to go, but that is all your sport for now. hello. monday was the summer solstice, but for some places, including parts of southeast england, it was colder than the winter solstice. this was the picture as we ended the day in pontypridd, south wales, so quite a lot of cloud around there. through the course of the night, though, the cloud has tended to break up a little bit. so, tuesday, it will be a drier day in the south, certainly compared to what we had on monday. and for most places, some spells of sunshine around. low pressure that brought monday's rain will be slowly clearing away towards the south. we have got another weather front approaching from the northwest. before it gets there, though, a lot of clear and dry weather. quite a chilly start to the day — single figures in the north. in fact, those temperatures close to freezing in a few rural glens in scotlan

rugby union's premiership is to expand to 1a clubs from the 2022—23 season with no relegation from thenorthern and western areas which have seen the best of the sunshine and the highest temperatures. but towards the end of the week it looks like high pressure will but towards the end of the week it looks like high pressure— looks like high pressure will build, brinuain looks like high pressure will build, bringing some _ looks like high pressure will build, bringing some sunnier _ looks like high pressure will build, bringing some sunnier skies - looks like high pressure will build, l bringing some sunnier skies further east, as well. we still have this area of low pressure close enough to bring for the cloud, showering bursts of rain across the eastern side of the country, particularly in the southeast. and so we should see sometimes becoming more widespread to the day, through northwest england and into wales, but if you heavy showers developing into the afternoon here. highest averages for the north and west, 22—23 c, cool and breezy along the north sea coast. eastern areas hold ont

relegated for repeated salary cap breaches last season, saracens have earned promotion back to rugby union'sfinal round of the us open golf, where rory mcilroy is in contention. but that's all from me for now. reeta. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. hello there. over the last few days, there's been an awful lot of rain affecting parts of southern england, the south midlands, parts of east anglia, too. the wettest areas now have seen over a month's worth of rain. odiham is in northeast hampshire — 81 mm of rain has fallen so far this month, most of it in the last few days. that compares with a monthly average here of around 48 mm,

it is a very exciting day for rugby union. what exciting day for rugby union.ill stay dry and we will get a high—scoring game. will stay dry and we will get a high-scoring game. harlequins don't know how to — high-scoring game. harlequins don't know how to play — high-scoring game. harlequins don't know how to play any _ high-scoring game. harlequins don't know how to play any other - high-scoring game. harlequins don't know how to play any other way. i i know how to play any other way. i can expect quite a high—scoring final. can expect quite a high-scoring final. �* . ,. . can expect quite a high-scoring final. �* ., ,. ., _ can expect quite a high-scoring final. �* ., _ , can expect quite a high-scoring final. ., _ , final. i'm fascinated by this lions tour, no final. i'm fascinated by this lions tour. no fans _ final. i'm fascinated by this lions tour, no fans in _ final. i'm fascinated by this lions tour, no fans in south _ final. i'm fascinated by this lions tour, no fans in south africa, i final. i'm fascinated by this lions l tour, no fans in south afri

to rugby union.ar with a confident straight sets win over tennys sandberg in the first round of the french open in paris. he�*s never lost his opening match at roland garros in 16 previous editions and never looked like upsetting that statistic. he came through 6—2, 6—4, 6—2, injust under two hours. the 18 time grand slam winner saving all six break points he faced en route to victory. and men�*s defending champion rafael nadal beat australia�*s alexei popyrin in straight sets in the first round. lots of expectation on the shoulders of the spaniard as he�*s in the same half of the draw as djokovic and federer but he�*s just happy to have won his opening match. this time was with the part of the draw of the number one. but still, remain a lot with me for it to face that much in the semifinals. i just won my first match, something i�*m happy with and i�*m focusing now on for the second one. and that is it. meanwhile an injury for ashleigh barty but the world number one is through to the second round in

to rugby union, saturday's premiership rugby fixture between gloucester and bath at kingsholm has beenay "a number" of positive tests were returned by players and other staff. the match won't be rescheduled — with a panel allocating the points for the match. neither side can qualify for the play—offs, though. tennis's grand slam tournaments say they will offer their support and assistance to naomi 0saka in any way possible after the world number two withdrew from the french open. 0saka was fined for refusing to speak to the media after her matches. she said she wanted to protect herself after suffering "long bouts of depression" and has "huge waves of anxiety before press conferences". well, today, venus williams spoke to the media after her first round defeat at the french open, and was asked how she's dealt with the pressure in her career. for me personally, howl for me personally, how i deal with it was— for me personally, how i deal with it was i_ for me personally, how i deal with it was i know every single person asked _ it was i know every single person asked me — it was i know

and one of those with the condition is the former scotland rugby union captain kelly brown.nd have fun, and so it was never even an issue, it wasn't even a part of the conversation. it was just a part of me and no one cared, and everyonejust accepted it. when i was growing up, really struggling with my speech, i found sport was the safe spot. do you think that sport, with it being so communication based, can really help kids with stammers? i think it's brilliant for all sorts of life skills, but especially communication, because it teaches you how to be a part of a team, and a part of that is having to communicate with your team—mates. you know, good team—mates, you've got to support each other. and so it was just an amazing environment, i believe, for anyone that's got a stammer. many people with a stammer find the idea of sport daunting, but anything that can help to bring confidence can bring benefits. anything that gets them mixing with other people and having to talk and converse and building their confidence and potentially pushing themselves out of their comfort zone

and in rugby union, the england prop kyle sinckler has been called up to the british and irish lionshe lions following the conclusion of bristol bears' domestic season. the bafta awards ceremony will be broadcast later on bbc one, celebrating the best on—screen talent and tv programmes of 2020. steve mcqueen's five—part series small axe leads the way with six nominations. i may destroy you, normal people and the crown are also in the running. small axe, large bafta hopes. sir steve mcqueen's bbc one series of stand—alone films telling black british stories has the most nominations at today's bafta tv awards. six, including shaun parkes, best actor for the mangrove episode. he is thrilled the show has done so well. what can i say? it puts a smile on my face. but for some reason puts the pressure on as well, i don't really know why, it makes me more nervous. now, if you say you're nervous, that suggests to me that you do care about whether you win or not. well, of course, because there's this build—up, right? there's everyone around you wishing you well. but that said, fortunately, the

the irish rugby union will allocate 3,000 tickets for the japan game to frontline workers in recognitionaking to you later. the latest government figures show that in the past 24 hours, five deaths were reported — and 10,633 new infections were recorded. that means an average of 9,778 new cases per day in the last week. over 163,000 people received a first dose of the vaccine in the latest 24 hour period. more than 43.1 million people have now had theirfirstjab — that's around 81.9% of uk adults. over 109,000 people have had their second dose of the vaccine in the latest 24 hour period, meaning more than 31.4 million people have now had both doses — that's 59.7% of uk adults. the government is promising to give details in the next few weeks of a coronavirus vaccine booster programme for the autumn, after senior doctors said planning should be sped up. speaking on a visit to hertfordshire, the prime minister also says it's, very important we look at the opportunities for releasing people early from isolation if they've had two vaccines. but mrjohnson is playing down suggestions it could b

saracens are back in rugby union's premiership, after one season.n as punishment for multiple salary cap breaches. that's all the sport for now. from today, care home residents in england will be able to stay overnight at the homes of loved ones, as restrictions on visiting are eased. previously, residents were only allowed to leave for outdoor visits or medical appointments, but they're now able to leave for more social reasons without having to isolate on their return. we can speak now to three people at rowena house care home in doncaster, firstly the manager stacey dean, one of her residents, janetjohnson, and janet's daughter, cath. thank you very much for talking to us, janet, how you feeling about staying at your daughter's house? i love the idea. staying at your daughter's house? i love the idea. how, _ staying at your daughter's house? i love the idea. how, what _ staying at your daughter's house? i love the idea. how, what has - staying at your daughter's house? i love the idea. how, what has it - staying at your daughter's house? i l love

rugby union's premiership is to expand to 14 clubs from the 2022—23 season, with no relegation from the though, was 279,000 children self isolating. and that is in england, as a result of those cases, and that is state school pupils. so those figures just through. of course, those figures are leading to concerns about whether the current system is the right one going forward. it is being suggested by the government that from september, when kids go back, the system might change so that children do not have to isolate if they have been in contact with a positive case at school and can instead do daily tests. it is not confirmed and the government is looking at data on whether that would be a sensible policy going forward. currently, 20 pupils isolate pair suspected case of covid, so it is having a huge impact on kids' education. covid, so it is having a huge impact on kids' education. we can hear now from the shadow education secretary, labour mp kate green. welcome and thank you forjoining us. those figures heart of the press. what is your reaction to them? , . ., ., them? very concerni

saracens are back in rugby union's premiership, after one season.g enjoying a little bit of glorious wales celebration. did enjoying a little bit of glorious wales celebration.— enjoying a little bit of glorious wales celebration. did you see how he did a somersault? _ wales celebration. did you see how he did a somersault? brilliant. - he did a somersault? brilliant. brilliant. let's _ he did a somersault? brilliant. brilliant. let's catch _ he did a somersault? brilliant. brilliant. let's catch up - he did a somersault? brilliant. brilliant. let's catch up on - he did a somersault? brilliant. brilliant. let's catch up on the | brilliant. let's catch up on the weather. _ carol has it, there was sunshine, rain, everything this weekend. lruie rain, everything this weekend. we had rain, everything this weekend. - had the whole caboodle. good morning. we have a bit of that today but if beautiful start as you can see from our weather watchers picture in shropshire with a bit of mist around, that will lift. it is the summer solstice today so we have more