RFU targets transport revamp and undercover police to sway Twickenham residents over concert plan

The Rugby Football Union is hopeful a proposed overhaul of Twickenham rail station and the deployment of undercover police officers on matchdays will help sway opponents of plans to host more concerts to pay for the £660m stadium upgrade.The union is seeking to increase the number of non-sporting events held at Twickenham each year from three to 15 in order to pay for the stadium overhaul but encountered a roadblock last year when Richmond council expressed “significant concerns” over transport links. The council also determined in October that a limit of three concerts – and only one not on a Saturday – would remain as part of its new licence amid considerable opposition from residents.On Tuesday, the RFU will seek to convince residents at a drop-in session where new plans will be revealed. The Guardian understands they include a revamp of Twickenham station which could double the number of passengers per train and the presence of “plain clothes officers” – including a mix of police and stewards – and the introduction of “civil enforcement officers” in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour

Australian Open 2026: Shelton beats Ruud, Swiatek swats aside Inglis, Sinner defeats Darderi – as it happened

Maddison Inglis leaves Melbourne Park with a lot, including the high-end toaster she’s always wanted. There is pride, having reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open, but also disappointment. In the biggest match of the local qualifier’s career, the world No 2 Iga Swiatek proved too polished, securing a 6-0, 6-3 victory on Monday night.The result leaves no more local players in the women’s singles draw. In the men’s singles, there is only Alex de Minaur, who plays top seed Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday evening

Inglis to splash out on new toaster ‘and maybe the kettle’ after Swiatek ends Melbourne run

Maddison Inglis leaves Melbourne Park with a lot, including the high-end toaster she’s always wanted. There is pride, having reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open, but also disappointment. In the biggest match of the local qualifier’s career, the world No 2 Iga Swiatek proved too polished, securing a 6-0, 6-3 victory on Monday night.The result leaves no more local players in the women’s singles draw. In the men’s singles, there is only Alex de Minaur, who plays top seed Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday evening

Sam Darnold: after five teams and plenty of mockery, ‘Ginger Cuz’ reaches the Super Bowl

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback has endured a rocky NFL career. But in the biggest game of his career, he delivered the performance of a lifetimeMoments after clinching a Super Bowl berth, Sam Darnold strolled over for his obligatory television interview. He was thrilled; the Seattle Seahawks had just toppled the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-27 thriller. But he was also measured. Unlike receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who would follow and was teeming with emotion, Darnold simply spoke about his love for his teammates

Bangladesh boycott brings a sad reality to T20 World Cup countdown | Taha Hashim

The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo may be hosting a one-day international series at the moment, but the real show begins in less than two weeks. The venue has been dressed with branding for the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India: a banner hangs out the front, an image of the trophy accompanied by a simple tagline: “Feel the thrill”.This, of course, is how it should be as you approach a global tournament, a real buzz as the world is welcomed on to an island. Spotted in the stadium during Sri Lanka’s second ODI against England on Saturday was a poster reading: “We will repeat 2014”, a nod to their tournament victory 12 years ago, a crowning moment for the departing Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. With Italy among the 20 teams competing, the upcoming showpiece looks like a genuinely global event unlike the more exclusive 50-over version

Spotless Pegula ends Keys’ Australian Open reign with serve of apple pie and cheese

On a podcast before her big match against Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula was discussing their battle last January in the Adelaide final. Keys’s performance, she said, had prompted her to accurately predict to their mutual friends that Keys would win the Australian Open two weeks later.It is normal for players to discuss future opponents, but they do not usually do so in conversation together. With a chuckle, Keys said: “Jess is like, ‘I hope I don’t see that level [tomorrow].’”She did not