Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson admitted his team were handed a lesson by Blackburn Rovers after they followed the rest of Wales’ clubs in bowing out of the FA Cup. Wrexham lost 4-1 at Ewood Park, despite taking an early lead against the Championship club.

Wales’ fastest woman Hannah Brier gained one championship record and lost another on a historic weekend of athletics in Cardiff. The first record to fall at the Welsh Indoor Senior and Under-15 Athletics Championships was the number of competitors taking part.

Aaron Wainwright comes into the first Test week of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations with big boots to fill but with a very settled outlook on life. The 26-year-old looks destined to take over the No 8 shirt from the injured Taulupe Faletau and be the senior figure in the Welsh back row in what will be his sixth Championship.

Graham Coughlan admitted he was contemplating a major upset after seeing his Newport County team equalise against Manchester United. United survived a massive FA Cup fright at Rodney Parade as the League Two minnows fought back to 2-2 after conceding twice inside the opening 13 minutes.

Warren Gatland is the pack whisperer who can turn raw rookies into war-hungry warriors, according to the Wales prop who has seen it done before. Ospreys front rower Gareth Thomas has had the soft words of Gatland to ease him into the transition to Test rugby since the New Zealander returned to Wales 16 months ago.

Elfyn Evans reckons third place on the Monte Carlo Rally is a solid start to his bid for the World Rally Championship crown.

Everyone knows Sunday’s FA Cup clash between Newport County and Manchester United is one of the classic ‘David v Goliath’ ties of the fourth round. But when you hear former County boss Michael Flynn describe it as “the biggest game in the club’s history” then you realise the enormity of the occasion. Flynn knows all about the romance of the cup having led County to victories over Leeds United, Leicester City and Middlesbrough, earning a draw against Tottenham Hotspur, and facing Manchester City in the fifth round. 

Elfyn Evans saw his victory hopes hit bye hybrid issues on the Monte Carlo Rally as he switched his focus to a Sunday finish.

Will Evans will try his utmost to embarrass Eric Ramsay on Sunday – 18 months after the Newport County striker was a guest at the Manchester United assistant manager’s wedding. Evans will be County’s main hope of goals and a creative spark that might ignite one of the great FA Cup shocks of all-time, although perhaps not as big a surprise for those United fans who have long since grown used to seeing their team lose at places they shouldn’t.

Aaron Wainwright has handed Welsh rugby a major pre-Six Nations boost by agreeing a new contract with the Dragons. The Wales back-row forward, who looks set to line up at number eight in next week’s Six Nations clash against Scotland, has agreed what the Dragons described as “a multi-year” deal.

Elfyn Evans retained his lead on the Monte Carlo Rally as he led a Toyota one-two on the season opening event.

Wales believe George North is progressing well from a shoulder injury picked up in Ospreys win over the Lions in Johannesburg in the EPCR Challenge Cup last weekend. Skills coach Neil Jenkins is confident the 118-times capped centre will be available for selection for next week’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland at Principality Stadium.

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan has warned Erik ten Hag there may be a bullet with the Manchester United manager’s name on it at Rodney Parade on Sunday evening. There are many more forgiving and welcoming venues in the FA Cup than the proud Welsh club who have made their League Two ground a giant-killing field in recent seasons, with victories over Leicester City, Leeds United and Middlesbrough as well as a draw against Tottenham.

Swansea City head coach Luke Williams admitted he got it “horribly wrong” with his approach after seeing his team demolished by Bournemouth in the FA Cup. The Swans crashed to a demoralising 5-0 defeat at the Cherries as the fourth round tie turned into a disastrous night that may have repercussions for the club’s form in the Championship.

Elfyn Evans launched his World Rally Championship campaign in scintillating style on the Monte Carlo Rally.

Yannick Bolasie could play his final match for Swansea City when they club take on Premier League Bournemouth in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Thursday night. Bolasie’ short-term contract with the club expires this weekend and although head coach Luke Williams is keen to keep hold of the 34-year-old former Crystal Palace and Everton star, tight finances and other irons in the fire for Bolasie mean that may not happen.

Wales have been warned a new sense of harmony can bring Scotland their first win in Cardiff for 22 years when the Six Nations kicks-off next week. Scotland’s Finn Russell believes his appointment as co-captain is testament to the newfound rapport between he and head coach Gregor Townsend following a fractious past.

Dafydd Jenkins believes it’s no bad thing that Wales have been written off by many as Six Nations no-hopers. Wales are no better than fifth favourites with most bookmakers for the tournament that starts next week, but the new skipper is unconcerned.

Former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has pinpointed a stable financial position as his top priority at Newport County, having completed a majority takeover of the club. The 60-year-old has purchased 52 per cent of the club from the Supporters’ Trust after a new ownership model was approved in September.

After a record year in 2023, The Hundred will return to Cardiff in 2024 with Welsh Fire captain Tammy Beaumont determined to build on last year’s progress in the women’s tournament. Cardiff will host its first game on Sunday 28 July, with both the Fire men’s and women’s teams kicking off their competition against Oval Invincibles.