Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw knows that the Australians will be a “different animal” to the side they dished out a record beating to at last year’s World Cup in France. The Wallabies have a new coach at the helm in Joe Schmidt and will be looking to make a statement in the former Ireland coach’s first game in charge.

It was probably fitting that the first team drawn out of the hat for the 30th anniversary Investec Champions Cup tournament next season was that of the reigning champions Stade Toulousain – who won the first title in Cardiff in 1996. The French giants will be hot favourites once again to add to their six titles, the first of which was secured at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park when they beat Cardiff after extra-time.

Joe Rodon has completed his permanent move from Tottenham Hotspur to Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £10m. The Wales defender returns to the Championship club following an impressive loan spell at Elland Road last season. He has now committed to a four-year contract, extending through to the summer of 2028.

Football Association of Wales president Steve Williams has been suspended pending an investigation, the governing body has confirmed. No reason for the action has been given but the FAW have acknowledged that a case was ongoing.

Newly crowned Welsh Men’s Seniors Closed champion Neil Roderick added the Welsh Seniors Open at Pennard to his lengthening list of Welsh titles. This was a family affair for Roderick with his 88-year-old father able to make the relatively short journey from Neath to Pennard to follow for a few holes, along with his brother, Ian, caddying.

Wales play their second match at the Under-20 World Championship in South Africa on Thursday when they meet Spain after opening their campaign with a thrilling, but ultimately unsuccessful match against New Zealand, which they lost 41-34. Coach and rugby analyst Tomas Marks considers their start to the tournament.

Former Wales defence and forwards coach Leigh Jones has been appointed as the new rugby performance director for the Scarlets. In this role, Jones will once again collaborate with head coach Dwayne Peel. Their professional relationship dates back to when Jones was part of the Wales coaching team under Graham Henry, who awarded Peel his first cap in 2001.

Osian Roberts has said, “Thanks . . . but no thanks” to Wales but has left the door open to one day becoming manager. The man who enjoyed hugged success as Chris Coleman’s assistant has ruled himself out of the running to become the next national manager..

Australia veteran Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of the Test series against Wales with a ruptured Achilles that needs surgery, in a massive blow to the returning playmaker. The 35-year-old, back in the Wallabies squad for the first time in three years, hobbled off during a low-level domestic fixture at the weekend with scans confirming the serious injury.

By Ian Gordon Elfyn Evans will be looking to continue his World Rally Championship title comeback in Latvia after cutting his deficit to 15 points. The Welsh ace had to settle for second on Rally Poland after a costly tyre issue but still managed to claw back three points on rival Thierry Neuville. Evans missed […]

Dan Jervis will dive into an Olympic pool for the second time this summer, but for the first time as his true self. The 28-year-old Welsh star came out as gay two years ago and admitted it was difficult to not be open about his sexuality at the last Games in Tokyo.

Former Newport hero and ex-Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui, who led the team at last year’s World Cup, has been hired by the New South Wales Waratahs to the newly created position of director of performance. The ‘Tahs finished bottom of the Super Rugby table this season, which led to the departure of coach Darren Coleman.

Geraint Thomas has slipped to four minutes off the pace and 42nd overall after the second stage of the Tour de France. The Welsh former Tour winner struggled to stay with the peloton on a steep finish to Sunday’s stage and slipped to four minutes, 24 seconds behind leader Tadej Pogacar.

By Ian Gordon Double Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones will equal a Team GB record after being named in the taekwondo team for the Paris Olympics. The 31-year-old will match Sarah Stevenson by competing inn her fourth Games. “This will be my fourth Olympic Games, fifth including the Youth Olympics,” said the Flint fighter.   […]

Warren Gatland has been told he needs to start winning but has been backed to stay in his job by the Welsh Rugby Union. Gatland’s Six Nations flops face Australia next week in the first of two summer Tests that could prove critical to his survival chances. The New Zealander is on the ropes after seven straight defeats and that will become nine – equaling his worse sequence in 26 years of coaching – if Wales lose both games to the Wallabies.

Wales coach Ioan Cunningham believes his team deserved their double reward after “keeping their foot on the throat of Spain.” Cunningham watched as Carys Cox helped herself to a hat-trick of tries as Wales comfortably qualified for the Rugby World Cup in England next year and ensured they will be heading to Cape Town to compete in Tier 2 of the WXV tournament later in the year. That good news that came out of a hard-fought 52-20 win over Spain at Cardiff Arms Park.

Jeremiah Azu is ready to ‘get his head down’ and target Paris after booking his ticket to the Olympic Games.

Geraint Thomas knows his 13th Tour de France which starts in Florence could be his last – but he is looking to bow out with a bang.

So, the group games of the Wales-less Euros are over and we are now moving into the knockout stages. How was it for you? With Rob Page having been shown the door – just two friendly matches on from the FAW offering him a comfy chair for the next World Cup qualification campaign – there is plenty to focus on in terms of who should be his successor.

Wales entertain Spain at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday with two tournaments at stake. Following regional qualifying, the identity of the 18 teams that will compete in the second edition of the fledgling WXV competition this September and October is already known.