Rhian Wilkinson has told her players they cannot use the change in manager as an excuse not to succeed with qualification for the next Women’s European Championships. The new Wales national team boss will take charge of her first campaign when it starts next month with her squad having been handed a positive draw.

Jonny Bairstow admitted becoming the latest member of England’s 100 Test club means a “hell of a lot” after being joined by close family and friends this week to mark the occasion in Dharamsala. Bairstow – who has been retained by Welsh Fire for their campaign in The Hundred again this summer – is set to become the 17th Englishman to reach the prestigious milestone when the fifth Test against India starts on Thursday.

Garry Monk has revealed he had to bide his time before getting back on the management horse – in order to find something he thinks won’t turn into a bucking bronco. The former Swansea City manager and captain has taken charge at Cambridge United, three-and-half years after his last job at Sheffield Wednesday.

Tributes have been paid to Lewis Jones, Welsh rugby’s first post-war ‘Golden Boy’ and one of the greatest dual-code internationals produced in Wales, who has died a month short of his 93rd birthday. A double Grand Slammer and British & Irish Lions Test player before his 21st birthday, Jones is regarded as one of the biggest losses from Wales to the 13-man code.

Machynys in West Wales has become the fifth golf club in Wales to earn the top sustainability award in golf.

With three rounds of the Six Nations gone and two games remaining, Wales are where they finished last season’s tournament – in fifth place. Yet, despite losing their opening three matches, they could have beaten Scotland and England, they had an excellent spell of pressure against the Irish for 20 minutes.

Joe Allen admits Swansea City will have to stay hot if they are to avoid plunging into the icy depths of the Championship. The former Wales midfielder sent his team on their way to back-to-back victories with the opening goal against back-pedaling Blackburn at the weekend in a 2-1 win.

Craig Harrison insists there are no secrets to The New Saints’ 16th domestic Welsh title as he reflected on another dominant season. The Saints boss saw his team sweep to yet another JD Cymru Premier crown with six games left to play as they notched their 25th win of their unbeaten campaign with a 4-0 win over Cardiff Met.

Dai Burchell, a revered former trainer and one of the most colourful characters in Welsh horse racing, has died at the age of 87. Burchell, who hailed from Ebbw Vale, achieved remarkable success in his career, overseeing the training of over 400 winners from his small stables on a windswept hillside above the Gwent town.

Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has described the Irish teams as “slow poison” after another weekend when the Welsh regions were all left feeling sick. All four of them lost in the United Rugby Championship – with the Scarlets, the Dragons and Cardiff all being beaten by opponents from Ireland. The Scarlets lost 26-10 to Connacht, the Dragons went down 49-26 against Ulster, and Cardiff were beaten 33-20 at home to Leinster.

Luke Williams has finally found some home comfort with Swansea City. After four straight defeats in front of his own fans, the Swans head coach won his first league game at home – a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers – to ease their relegation fears. Williams had plundered two away wins in his eight matches in charge, but goals from Joe Allen and Jamie Paterson showed he can do it on his own manor.

Nat Phillips has been praised by Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut as the rock on which the Bluebirds have built firmer foundations. Phillips was at the centre of Cardiff’s defensive effort as they won the Severnside derby 1-0 away at Bristol City. The Liverpool loanee has made seven appearances for Cardiff since he moved from Celtic and in the last three of those matches his team have only conceded one goal.

Josh Turnbull intends to turn to coaching as his main rugby activity at the end of this season. The Cardiff forward has confirmed he will retire at the end of the campaign, but not before he passes a few more remaining milestones.

JPR Williams’ life as a rugby “revolutionary” and family man was remembered at a memorial service for the former Wales and British Lions full-back. Williams died in January at the age of 74 and former team-mates from Welsh rugby’s golden 1970s era were among those who gathered at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff to celebrate his life on St David’s Day.

Glamorgan have signed Pakistan fast bowler Mir Hamza as an overseas player for the beginning of the 2024 season. The 31-year-old left-arm quick will be available for the club for the first seven County Championship fixtures.

Wales rugby legend Sioned Harries has announced her decision to retire from professional and international rugby after more than a decade in the Test arena. Harries’ 14-year Test career saw her become one of the most respected and recognisable figures in Welsh and world rugby.

England star Tammy Beaumont believes Welsh Fire Women can build on last year’s breakthrough season when they begin their fourth campaign of The Hundred this summer. Beaumont is one of 19 players who have been retained for the new season across the men’s and women’s squads based in Cardiff.

Warren Gatland has stood firm on his critique of Welsh regional rugby – but insisted he has no issue with the coaches. The Wales coach has attempted to steer a fine line between repeating his call for changes, whilst at the same time trying to stay onside with those on the sharp receiving end of huge cuts in finances.

Rhian Wilkinson insists her door will be open to any Wales player looking to discuss what happened in her previous job. The new Wales women’s head coach is already plotting the qualification campaign ahead for the 2025 European Championships.

So, is Welsh regional rugby a sinking ship or still afloat despite all the storms that have been raging against it? Warren Gatland claimed the holes had not been plugged, but Ospreys coach Toby Booth reckons there’s no need to abandon the vessel just yet.