Russell Martin has done the double and now he is aiming for the quadruple – four successive Swansea City victories over bitter rivals Cardiff. No manager from either club had managed to do what Martin achieved last season, when he led the Swans to home and away victories.

The stage is set for 10 days of non-stop action as clubs and players from all over Wales descend on the home of Welsh rugby for the ‘Road to Principality 2023’ rugby jamboree. Last year saw record breaking numbers in almost every category as the fans flocked to watch the rising stars of the game, as well as established senior players representing clubs from across all divisions chase titles and lifelong memories of playing at the Principality Stadium.

Ashton Hewitt has had plenty of people tell him he should just stick to rugby and not express his opinions on anything else. But the Dragons RFC winger is not about to be silenced. Hewitt has come in for some horrendous abuse on social media over his efforts to combat racism and inequality. He admits it shocked him and got him down, but he is determined to keep on doing what he can to try and make a difference.

Sophie Ingle has moved a step closer to becoming a European champion, although Chelsea boss Emma Hayes was left “exhausted” after watching her side advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Wales captain Ingle – who came on as a second half substitute – was part of a Chelsea team who went through on penalties against reigning European champions Lyon at Stamford Bridge.

Steff Evans is the joint leading tryscorer in European rugby this season, has 13 caps for Wales, and is still only 28 – but expects no calls from Warren Gatland. The wing – whose finishing skills helped see off a star-studded Sharks team last week in arguably the best regional result of the season – reckons he won’t be required any more at Test level. It’s a harsh self-judgement, but Evans insists: “That boat has probably sailed for me.

Sioned Harries’ first trip to Scotland for the Six Nations was 12 years ago in her first year in the Wales Women’s team. That was a different world, with the women’s teams from all the nations playing as amateurs and second-class citizens. Not anymore!

Swansea City will be boosted for their derby clash against Cardiff City on Saturday by the return of Joe Allen, Jay Fulton, and Joel Latibeaudiere. While Allen missed the win over Bristol City due to an injury, Fulton and Latibeaudiere were serving suspensions.

Toby Booth believes his Ospreys side will face the best team in England “by some distance” when they tackle Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 opponents Saracens on Sunday. While the Ospreys contest their first top-flight European knockout game for 12 years, Saracens are on familiar territory.

Wales coach Craig Knight has praised his young dragons after fighting their way back from 2-0 down against Montenegro to seal qualification for the European Under-17 Championships finals. Many teams would have folded under the disappointment of conceding two quick-fire goals in first-half injury time of their deciding group match.

Anyone visiting the River Teifi this springtime should have reason to applaud the work of Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Club. The beauty of the river and its surroundings was under threat at the start of this year as pollution and debris suggested illegal dumping higher up stream from the village of Llandysul in Ceredigion.

Ethan Ampadu believes Wales’ fast start to Euro 2024 qualifying shows painful World Cup lessons have been learned. Wales’ first World Cup appearance for 64 years turned into a damp squib in Qatar as Rob Page’s side finished bottom of their group with no wins and only one goal from three matches – a Gareth Bale penalty.

Tributes have been paid throughout Welsh rugby after the death of Peter Thomas, the former Cardiff chairman. A hugely influential figure within the sport, the 79-year-old passed away on Wednesday, three years after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Gareth Bale was given a rousing send-off by Wales supporters before their Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia in Cardiff. Five-times Champions League winner Bale retired from football in January after making a record 111 appearances for the Wales men’s national team.

Merthyr Tydfil’s sporting heritage is rich and well-documented, but a new chapter is being written thanks to an innovative tie-up between the town’s college and Table Tennis Wales. The famous sporting sons and daughters of the old industrial town – such as boxers Howards Winstone and Johnny Owen, judoka Natalie Powell, footballer Mark Pembridge and netballer Chelsea Lewis – could soon be joined by the next generation of table tennis internationals.

Wales manager Robert Page declared it a case of “job done” after his team continued a promising start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by beating Latvia 1-0 in Cardiff. Kieffer Moore’s first-half header made the difference, with the victory following a 1-1 draw away to Croatia three days ago.

Lee Kendall has told his Barry Town United champions to forget about next season for now – and savour the sweet taste of success. Barry are sipping champagne and going back up to the JD Cymru Premier as champions, their Cymru South title confirmed by a thumping 5-0 triumph at home to Pontardawe Town at the weekend.

New Sport Wales chief executive Brian Davies insists the organisation is equipped to face the changing landscape for sport, health and fitness throughout Wales. Having been acting CEO for the past 18 months, Davies has been confirmed as the long-term successor to Sarah Powell.

Natasha Cockram’s selection for Great Britain’s team at this summer World Athletics Championships was just what the doctor ordered for the marathon runner and her family. When the Micky Morris Racing team athlete was announced as the first name on the GB team last Tuesday, Cockram’s father was undergoing heart surgery.

Ben Foster has told Wrexham fans worried he may need Premier League pampering: “Don’t worry – I’m low maintenance.” The former England goalkeeper kept a clean sheet on his debut for the club as they beat York City 3-0 at the weekend to move another step nearer towards a return to the Football League. Foster, 39, had signed for the club earlier in the week on a short-term deal until the end of the season as cover for the injured Rob Lainton.

Matthew Hirst celebrated a hat-trick of Get Jerky Rally North Wales wins on Saturday to launch the defence of his Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title in ominous fashion – while the Welshpool-based event was also a special one for St Clears co-driver Ryland James, who notched up his 600th rally start. In a rallying career spanning seven decades and 54 years, James guided Carmarthen’s Gareth Lewis home to a second in class (and 50th overall) result in their Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1 – proving that he’s finally got the hang of route notes and time cards!