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In a pulsating Friday night showdown, Northampton Saints held off a resilient Castres Olympique side to clinch a 49‑41 victory and book a place in the Champions Cup quarter‑finals.Castres were hampered by discipline, receiving three yellow cards – two within a three‑minute spell in the first half and another ten minutes from the break – and missed three of six conversion attempts, leaving valuable points on the board.Saints, however, kept the ball alive, launching an attack on every possession. They crossed the try line seven times, including a penalty try, with fly‑half Anthony Belleau successfully slotting six conversions.The French side struck first when wing Christian Ambadiang capitalised on a scrum‑half kick to score in the corner after just seven minutes. He added an early intercept try and later forced a penalty try after pulling Saints winger James Ramm over the line, earning himself a yellow card.Discipline continued to bite Castres when second‑row Guillaume Ducat was sin‑binned for a high‑impact collision with Saints flanker Henry Pollock. Even with a numerical advantage, Castres struggled to retain possession, conceding a penalty that scrum‑half Jérémy Fernandez converted.Early in the second half, Saints broke the deadlock with a try from Josh Kemeny, followed by a score from Tommy Freeman nine minutes later, widening the gap.Castres fought back when centre Tyler Ardron intercepted a pass to touch down, but a subsequent handling error by Saints’ Santiago Arata prevented a further Castres try. Saints responded with a rapid interception by Vuate Karawalevu, though the try was disallowed for a prior knock‑on. The Saints then exploited defensive lapses, with George Furbank and James Ramm each adding scores.In the closing stages, Castres’ Vilimoni Botitu found the line, yet a yellow card for Veresa Ramototabua’s high tackle and a late try from Fraser Dingwall sealed the Saints’ win. The victory propels Northampton, last year’s losing finalists, into a quarter‑final clash against either Bath or Saracens.

Millwall secured a vital win over Middlesbrough in the Championship, with Josh Coburn scoring twice to propel his team into second place in the promotion race. The victory, marked by a 2-1 scoreline, sees Millwall just one point ahead of Middlesbrough, with Coventry currently leading the table. The match was characterized by Middlesbrough's possession dominance, but their inability to convert chances into goals. Dael Fry's 26th-minute header gave Boro an early lead, but Millwall equalized in the 58th minute when Coburn's powerful volley found the net after a corner was poorly defended. Coburn, a 23-year-old striker and former Middlesbrough academy graduate, doubled Millwall's lead in the 86th minute with a beautifully angled shot, securing the win. This performance underscores Coburn's impressive form, having scored five goals in his last five games. Alex Neil's Millwall demonstrated resilience and composure, particularly in the second half, to outmaneuver Kim Hellberg's Middlesbrough. Neil praised his team's performance, highlighting their defensive solidity and clinical finishing. In contrast, Hellberg expressed disappointment, noting that his team's possession-heavy approach failed to yield results in critical areas. This win boosts Millwall's prospects for Premier League promotion, although fourth-placed Ipswich still has two games in hand and remains a strong contender. The result marks a significant setback for Middlesbrough, who are now under pressure to regain their position in the promotion race.

Alan Cumming’s latest theatrical venture – The High Life: The Musical, Still Living It! – bursts onto the stage as a gleeful, pantomime‑style extension of the cult 1994 TV sitcom. Co‑written by series creator Johnny McKnight alongside Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson, the production is deliberately overloaded with jokes, ranging from references to Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor to a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to Sheena Easton. The show’s panto DNA runs deep. Audiences are addressed directly, invited to sing along, and treated to an underwater neon‑tube dance. The set, a whimsical take on a Brigadoon‑style hotel, features tartan wallpaper designed by Colin Richmond, a life‑size dog, and multiple costume changes that heighten the spectacle. Returning to the stage, Cumming reprises the role of flight attendant Sebastian Flight, while Masson appears as his counterpart Steve McCracken. They are joined by a “legacy cast” that includes Siobhan Redmond as the exacting supervisor Shona Spurtle and Patrick Ryecart delivering a delightfully unhinged performance as Captain Hilary Duff. Supporting them are high‑energy performers Rachael Kendall Brown, Louise McCarthy and Kyle Gardiner, who navigate Masson’s clever, rhyming songs that swing from Broadway flair to Eurovision sparkle. Beyond the slapstick plot – a cartoonish battle over the fictional airline Air Scotia and a detour to the “Lower Largo Triangle” – the musical hints at deeper questions about ageing, national identity and the need for cultural renewal, echoing themes raised in earlier Scottish adaptations. Directed by Andrew Panton, the production is a joint effort between Dundee Rep and the National Theatre of Scotland. It runs at Dundee Rep until 4 April before embarking on a UK tour that concludes on 23 May. In the end, the show is less a philosophical treatise and more a big, joyous laugh‑fest that celebrates the spirit of pantomime.

Friko, the Chicago‑based indie outfit, is gearing up for the launch of their second LP, Something Worth Waiting For, slated for 24 April. The record, described as a “radiant ramble” through modern indie rock, reflects the band’s recent touring experiences and explores themes of yearning, growth, and stability.The lead single, "Choo Choo", bursts with a road‑trip vibe, pairing vocalist‑guitarist Niko Kapetan’s urgent, quavering delivery with guitarist Korgan Robb’s atmospheric riffs. Critics note a vocal timbre reminiscent of Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock and Sparks’ Russell Mael, while the track’s lyrical nods to classic American road food add a playful, homespun charm.Since their 2024 debut Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here, Friko has expanded from a duo (Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger) to a full four‑piece, adding Robb and touring bassist David Fuller. The new album also benefits from the touch of Grammy‑winning producer John Congleton, known for work with Mannequin Pussy, The Mountain Goats, and St Vincent. His influence shines on the Bowie‑esque chamber‑pop ballad "Seven Degrees", underscoring the group’s evolving sound.In addition to the album news, the Guardian’s weekly Add to Playlist roundup spotlights a curated selection of fresh tracks. Highlights include Wallis’s techno‑laden “Biscuit,” Beth Orton’s intense “The Ground Above,” Toronto pop‑star Chxrry’s catchy “Hall of Fame,” and a collaborative anti‑immigrant‑detention compilation track by Wendy Eisenberg’s trio Darlin’. The list also features Jeff Parker’s hopeful “Like Swimwear (Part One)”, a dubstep‑rap hybrid “Duro” from Skrillex and Young Miko, and Cass McCombs’s garage‑rock anthem “Seeing the Elephant”.Listeners can stream the full playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or other services, ensuring the week’s most inventive indie and electronic releases are just a click away.

The highly anticipated fifth season of the Cork-set comedy The Young Offenders premieres on BBC One at 9:30pm. The new season kicks off with Jock, played by Chris Walley, breaking out of a Colombian prison and reuniting with Conor, played by Alex Murphy, back in Ireland. Their adventures quickly take a turn as they find themselves in a hostage situation with an elderly couple while wearing floral dresses.Elsewhere on television, Rob Beckett brings his unique brand of humor to Sky One with his show Giraffe at 9pm. The comedian takes viewers on a stream-of-consciousness journey through topics like poshness, parenting, and pubes, often pushing the envelope with his audience.On Channel 4, The Last Leg continues its 34th series at 10pm, featuring presenters Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe, and Alex Brooker. This week's guests include Josh Pugh, Lorraine Kelly, and Steve Bracknall.In addition to these shows, BBC One also airs Extraordinary Portraits With Bill Bailey at 7:30pm, highlighting the story of Eddie, the 'Iron Gran', who became the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman triathlon at 72. Meanwhile, Beyond Paradise airs at 8pm, with Humphrey solving a series of burglaries in Shipton Abbott.For film enthusiasts, The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is broadcast on BBC Two at 10pm. This financial crime caper is based on the memoir of stockbroker Jordan Belfort and features memorable performances from Matthew McConaughey and Margot Robbie.

The Easter bunny has been a staple in many films, often depicted as cute and harmless, but sometimes also menacing and deadly. The Guardian has ranked Easter bunny movies, providing a list of 20 films that showcase the versatility of the Easter bunny character. The list includes Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) at number one, a film that combines live-action and animation, featuring a character with characteristics of many cartoon critters. Other notable mentions include Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) at number three, a stop-motion animated film by Aardman, and Watership Down (1978) at number two, an animated adaptation of Richard Adams's novel. The list also features films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), which includes a scene with the holy hand grenade of Antioch, and Donnie Darko (2001), which features a sinister figure in a metal-faced bunny suit. Other films, such as No Surrender (1985), Fatal Attraction (1987), and The Favourite (2018), also make the list. The ranking showcases a wide range of Easter bunny depictions, from cute and harmless to menacing and deadly, demonstrating the versatility of the character in cinema.

The UK's swift population has been declining at an alarming rate, with a 68% decline recorded between 1995 and 2023. This has led to a significant decrease in the number of swifts in the country's skies, with many conservationists working to protect these birds.Swifts are known for their impressive endurance, flying 14,000 miles annually from sub-Saharan Africa to nest in the UK and back again. They are a beloved species, providing a heart-soaring display of beauty with their long swooping wings and pale throats.Why do they need to be saved?The reasons for the decline are complex, but it's likely that the loss of nesting sites is a contributing factor. Changes in building management and renovation practices over the past 100 years have made it harder for swifts to find the holes and nooks they need to nest. Additionally, insect populations are believed to have declined, which can impact the swifts' food supply.How can you help?There are several ways to help protect swifts, including:Become a nest detective: Use the RSPB Swift Mapper app and website to record sightings of nesting swifts and help conservation groups focus their efforts.Install swift bricks: Fit small structures into building walls to provide a forever nest for swifts.Install swift boxes: Build or purchase inexpensive nest boxes and install them under eaves at a minimum of five meters high.Protect insects: Plant flowers, nectar, fruit, and berries to support insect life and bird life.Get involved in local swift conservation: Contact a swift group or local RSPB group to get involved in conservation efforts.By taking these steps, individuals can help make a difference in the conservation of swifts and protect these amazing birds for future generations.

The EFL Championship kicks off an action‑filled Easter weekend, with promotion, playoff and relegation battles all still wide open. Coventry City, under Frank Lampard, sit comfortably in the automatic promotion places, enjoying an 11‑point cushion over third‑placed Ipswich Town ahead of their upcoming clash with Derby County. One of the marquee fixtures sees Middlesbrough host Millwall. Millwall manager Alex Neil, while downplaying the match, hinted that a win could thrust the Lions back into the promotion conversation for the first time since the early 2000s. At the Hawthorns, Wrexham take on West Bromwich Albion in a game that could keep their playoff hopes alive. West Brom, after a long winless spell, have finally found form under James Morrison, securing back‑to‑back victories. In a surprising managerial change, Bristol City have dismissed Gerhard Struber and appointed a 78‑year‑old interim coach, referred to as “Mr Roy”, who will debut against Charlton Athletic. Meanwhile, Sheffield United host Swansea City in a mid‑table encounter that promises a lively atmosphere at Bramall Lane. Relegation‑battling Sheffield Wednesday aim to end a 33‑game winless streak when they face Stoke City, needing six points from their final seven games to avoid the drop. Leicester City remain under pressure after a points deduction, fighting alongside Oxford, Portsmouth, West Brom and Blackburn to stay clear of League One. Conversely, Lincoln City could clinch promotion – their first return to the second tier since 1961 – with a home win over AFC Wimbledon. In a side note, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard praised Mohamed Salah’s extended stay at Anfield, highlighting the former’s influence on the Egyptian striker’s decision to remain.

The Lead Apple has rolled out critical security updates for older iPhone and iPad models to counter a sophisticated web-based attack known as DarkSword. The release of iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 is a direct response to a leaked set of hacking tools that can compromise devices running versions 18.4 through 18.7. Understanding the DarkSword Vulnerability DarkSword is a sophisticated exploit kit that operates through a 'drive-by download' mechanism. Attackers do not need to trick users into clicking suspicious links; instead, simply visiting a legitimate website that has been breached can trigger the malicious code. This allows the toolkit to break into Apple devices and install spyware without the user's immediate knowledge. The Data Impact of the Exploit The capabilities of the DarkSword toolkit pose a significant threat to user privacy. Once a device is compromised, attackers gain access to a wide range of sensitive information, including: Private messages Browser history Location data Cryptocurrency wallet credentials Security researchers have observed these tools being used in targeted attacks across China, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. User Friction and Update Resistance Despite the severity of the threat, Apple notes that millions of users remain vulnerable because they have chosen not to update their devices. The primary driver for this resistance is the user experience; many users have opted out of the latest software updates to avoid the new 'liquid glass' interface, prioritizing familiarity over security patches. The Role of Lockdown Mode For users who remain at high risk, Apple’s optional Lockdown Mode offers a robust defense. The company has confirmed that this feature effectively blocks attacks that would bypass standard protections, including those from government-sponsored spyware campaigns. Future Outlook on Web-Based Threats The publication of the DarkSword toolkit on the open web signals a worrying trend. As these tools become more accessible, we can expect an increase in low-cost, high-impact cyberattacks targeting older device versions that lack the latest security protocols.