For 18 days starting on Friday, Sydney will be transformed into an interactive, creative playground that bursts with colour for Vivid Sydney 2014.

The stunning 'reptilian' Opera House was captured in photographers taken by local snapper Richard Hirst, as the city's Vivid Festival kicked off on Friday.

It looks like the romance between Laura Dundovic and her man Quade Cooper is heating up, as the pair continue to flaunt their relationship on social media.

An Australian photographer has taken to the air to catch a glimpse of the Sydney skyline at this years Sydney Vivid festival.

The Vivid Sydney switch will be flicked on at 6pm on Friday and then for 23 consecutive nights. Featuring 250 events, the 2017 program is expected to attract 2.31 million visitors.

The lights have been switched on for this year's installment of Sydney's Vivid Festival. Landmarks across the city have been bathed in a dazzling array of colourful lights.

Police have boosted security at Sydney's Vivid festival to protect large crowds from a terror attack after seven people were killed in central London on Saturday night.

Vivid Sydney is celebrating its tenth year later this year, and marks the special anniversary with performances from Beyonce’s sister, Solange, and US alt rock band, Mazzy Star.

Whether it's an evening of family fun, a picturesque date night or an excuse to catch up with friends amid serene surroundings, the Sydney festival has something for everyone.

Mazzy Star, know for their mega hit 90s song mega-hit song Fade Into You, infuriated their fans by performing an entire set in the dark during a gig at the Sydney Opera House for the 2018 Vivid Festival.

An Australian woman has been arrested in France after allegedly kidnapping her 30-years-younger lover who has not been seen in three years. 

Samba Widhyastuti, 59, was arrested at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris last month - three years after her 25-year-old boyfriend Florent Gregoire, from Nantes, disappeared.

Mako Vunipola was 'gutted' at missing out on a 60th Test cap due to England's decision to stand him down over the coronavirus scare. He played for Saracens on Saturday instead.

Two tries from Luke Morahan and 13 points from the boot of Callum Sheedy ensured Bristol made history with a 28-15 win over Harlequins, earning five Premiership wins in a row.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I was really impressed with how England bounced back from their World Cup final disappointment because that will have been difficult.

England were on course for their first Six Nations title since 2017 after Scotland stunned title favourites France at Murrayfield.

The Six Nations title race is set to reach a delayed climax in October after France's clash with Ireland on Saturday became the third championship match to be postponed because of the coronavirus.

Maro Itoje has had a one-year loan move to French side Racing 92 blocked by Premiership Rugby clubs after Saracens relegation from the English topflight.

Europe's premier rugby competition is set to be postponed indefinitely at an EPCR board meeting on Monday. The Champions Cup quarter-finals were scheduled for early next month.

NIK SIMON'S GAIN LINE: Sale Sharks are waiting in the wings if England star Jonny May does not sign a new contract with Leicester Tigers. The former Gloucester winger has reached a stand-off.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Very few sports have the monetary resilience to withstand this crisis and rugby certainly isn't one of them.

The government turned down a call to give the Six Nations Group A status, with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee labelling the decision a 'missed opportunity'.

English rugby is in turmoil as players were being advised to consider strike action after Premiership clubs demanded swingeing pay cuts amid fears of impending financial disaster.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY NIK SIMON: Only seven days ago, Jack Nowell still had a note in his diary earmarking this weekend as the time for him to return to Exeter's starting team.

England lock George Kruis has admitted his frustration at seeing possibly his last Six Nations derailed but insists rugby players have not got it as bad as Olympic athletes.

Eddie Jones has agreed to a pay cut 'in excess of 25 per cent' as part of the RFU's attempts to off-set the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which has led to a shut-down of the rugby season.

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: England prop Joe Marler is considering quitting rugby with immediate effect. The 29-year-old is understood to have become disillusioned with the sport.

England and Exeter wing Jack Nowell's season has been put on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving him and thousands of his colleagues at a loose end waiting for the season to restart.

Richard Parks knows a thing or two about self-isolation and is probably the least concerned of anyone about the prospect of closing his front door to the rest of the world for the next few months.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY WILL KELLEHER: Life in the lockdown is exacting enough for everyone - but not many have as many balls to juggle as Gareth Steenson.

EXCLUSIVE: English Premiership clubs are queuing up to seek financial help from the Government as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cast long shadows over rugby.

Eddie Jones is stuck in Japan due to the coronavirus outbreak where England still intend to tour in July - although it is increasingly likely the trip will be called off this month.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY NIK SIMON: Last month, Guy Thompson had just finished his morning session in Oadby when his world was turned on its head.

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney has also said that the Marriott hotel adjoining the stadium could be used to accommodate doctors and nurses, and the north car park for drive through testing.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The England legend has been answering all of your questions, ranging from the serious to the funny, on subjects such sport obsession and how to drop players.

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte - who wants to run World Rugby alongside Bill Beaumont and hopes to be elected as vice-chairman next month - has proposed the competition.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: These are difficult times for all sports but I believe such moments create a time for organisations to demonstrate they are in touch with the world around them.

Steve Borthwick will become Leicester's new head coach on July 1, as current boss Geordan Murphy moves to become director of rugby. 

The Scottish Rugby Union this week proposed reductions ranging from 10 to 25 per cent over a five-month period for all players earning more than £50,000 in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Professional rugby's financial vulnerability has been cruelly exposed and, frankly, it has always been built on shifting sands.

The English league champions confirmed last night they had taken advantage of the government's furlough scheme - meaning all their players' wages are now part-funded by the state.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Picked as a Six Nations 'apprentice' in January, complete with the customary asterisk to mark his status, Alex Mitchell is Eddie Jones' latest England project.

JACK NOWELL: The England international has remained busy building lego sets, taking on a pro gamer and keeping himself fit and healthy in week five of his lockdown due to coronavirus.

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: Sir Bill Beaumont says he 'still alive and kicking' as he revealed his manifesto to be re-elected as World Rugby chairman after Sir Clive Woodward backed Agustin Pichot.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Bill Beaumont and challenger Agustin Pichot are in the final week of their election campaign to become chairman of World Rugby. 

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: Sir Bill Beaumont's attempt to win re-election as World Rugby chairman has been thrown into further chaos after the governing body received a damning letter.

Sir Bill Beaumont's campaign to be re-elected as World Rugby chairman was on a knife-edge on Tuesday night, after one of his leading supporters was dramatically ousted by the Fijian Rugby Union.

World Rugby have stated intentions to reschedule coronavirus-hit Tests for October, despite those weekends already being set aside for club rugby and the EPCR claim clubs have been overlooked.

The four Welsh regions are banking on their £40m share of the proposed deal helping them to balance their books and to help them become more competitive on the field.

England stars could lose up to THREE stone in muscle during the coronavirus lockdown and it could take them a month to get back to a safe level to play, claims a top physio.