Tributes have been paid to former Wales prop forward Tony “Charlie” Faulkner following his death aged 81. The former Pontypool loosehead earned 19 caps for Wales between 1975 and 1979, winning four Five Nations titles and the Grand Slam twice in a squad which included the likes of Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams. Faulkner, who was born in Newport, joined Pontypool from Cross Keys in September 1972, going on to make 210 appearances and scoring 12 tries.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is set to name his team on Thursday afternoon to face Scotland this weekend in round two of the Six Nations. There’s been plenty to ponder after the heavy defeat at home to Ireland, as Tomas Marks outlines with his deep dive review. Having delved into the statistics after the Wales and Ireland match, the Irish were in imperious form in Cardiff with their back row shining bright. Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony were faultless in the back row battle, conceding no penalties, 98% tackle success and Flier and Doris carrying the ball forward a metre more per carry than Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.

Former Cardiff City striker Kenny Miller has been sacked by Huddersfield as their assistant manager in a big shake up by the Bluebirds’ rivals for Championship survival. Miller, who was No.2 to fellow Scot Mark Fotheringham, has been dismissed with Fotheringham after little over four months in the job. The Terriers, third from bottom in the Sky Bet Championship, will begin the search for their fifth permanent head coach in less than three years after their winless league run was extended to five matches on Tuesday night.

Celtic Dragons captain Clare Jones wants the Welsh side to make massive strides as the 2023 Netball Super League season gets underway. Last year the Dragons finished 10th with just three wins from their 20 matches. But they had a better defensive record than five teams in the division, with their skipper confident the foundations are in place for success.

Wales manager Gemma Grainger has paid tribute to Hannah Cain after the midfielder made it back to the international squad after 15 months out injured. The Leicester City player has been named by Grainger for the upcoming Pinatar Cup after recovering from a knee injury. Cain was given a first Wales cap by Grainger, having switched her allegiance from England, where she played under her now Wales boss for England’s under-17s, 19s and 21s.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is considering major changes to his side ahead of their Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday. Gatland is looking to reinvigorate the Welsh pack with youngsters Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza after a disappointing 34-10 loss to Ireland in the first round of the tournament. The head coach is contemplating giving Exeter Chiefs captain Jenkins his first Test start, while Jenkins’ teammate Tshiunza could also earn a place in the starting lineup, depending on his fitness.

DragonBet on-course bookmaker James Lovell gives the inside track on Welsh sport – what’s hot, what’s not, and who’s the talk of the betting ring. The sun has re-emerged on weekday afternoons, the days are getting longer, and the daffodils will soon be bursting into bloom. Yep, spring feels just around the corner and that means I’ve got Cheltenham on my mind. Where there’s spring and Cheltenham, there is hope. And I’m hoping to be a millionaire by the time the Festival is over.

Sheffield United denied Hollywood-owned Wrexham a blockbuster FA Cup clash with Tottenham as they won their fourth-round replay 3-1 with two goals deep into added time. The National League side’s journey under A-list actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has caught the imagination of the country and most neutrals would have been wanting them to set up a glamour showdown with Antonio Conte, Harry Kane and the like. And for large parts of the night that looked like it was in the script when Paul Mullin’s controversial penalty had cancelled out Anel Ahmedhodzic’s opener. Mullin has been the leading man for the Dragons over the last two seasons, but fluffed his lines when he missed a second penalty shortly after.

Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw acknowledged the impact Shaun Edwards has made on him but insists he will do the job his own way. Forshaw’s fellow Wiganer enjoyed sustained success with Wales in the same role that Forshaw now has. The current France defence specialist played a key part in Wales winning four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals during Warren Gatland’s first stint as Wales boss between 2008 and 2019.

Jonny Clayton admits he just sneaked in to the eight-man Premier League Darts roadshow, but that won’t stop him from straining every sinew to topple world champion Michael Smith in front of a packed Welsh crowd on Thursday night. The Premier League will be in Cardiff at the Motorpoint Arena and Welshman Clayton has been drawn against Smith in a mouth-watering clash in front of The Ferret’s home crowd. “I had a few nervous moments and at one point I thought I might not make the Premier League, but I managed to get into the group of eight – thank god,” said Clayton.

  By Paul Jones Wales midfielder Joe Allen has announced his retirement from international football. Allen, one of Wales’ greatest-ever midfielders, said “time and injuries” had taken their toll as he called time on his 74-cap career. “Playing for Wales has been a great passion and love in my life, I have been extremely fortunate,” […]

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has challenged his players to prove they belong at a higher level as they prepare for Tuesday’s FA Cup replay at Sheffield United. The National League promotion contenders face a test of their mettle as their fourth-round tie against the Sky Bet Championship high-flyers is played to a conclusion at Bramall Lane on Tuesday. The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw when they met at the Racecourse Ground last month and now there is the added incentive of knowing victory will earn a home tie against Premier League Tottenham.

Julie Read had admitted her decision to retire from international hockey was a tough one to make. The 28-year-old has decided to bring to an end her 13-year Test career, although she will continue to play for Beeston in the top-tier England Hockey League. “It has been incredibly hard,” said Read about her decision to stop representing her country.

Wales have been warned by Scotland hero Duhan van der Merwe that they now fancy their chances against any team in the world. Warren Gatland’s team – humbled by a 34-10 opening Six Nations defeat at home to Ireland – now have to go to Murrayfield on Saturday to face a Scottish side riding the crest of a wave. Scotland winger van der Merwe admits he “giggles” when he watches his Twickenham wonder try.

Meirion Evans did what the Welsh rugby squad failed to do last weekend – beat the Irish! And he did it on their home turf too, scoring a sensational away win on the Galway International Rally. The high-speed victory gives the Llanwrda driver the lead in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship for the first time in his career.

Zoe Backstedt insisted she was thrilled to win a silver medal at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hoogerheide, in the Netherlands. The 18-year-old Welsh star took second spot in the women’s under-23 category as the Great Britain Cycling Team ended the championships with more success. Backstedt got off to a strong start, getting out in front in the lead group of three, before dropping Marie Schreiber to continue head-to-head with race favourite, Shirin Anrooij of The Netherlands.

Wales striker Brennan Johnson underlined his rich talent once more with the goal that enabled Nottingham Forest to earn a priceless victory over Leeds United. The 21-year-old scored his seventh goal of the season at the City Ground as Steve Cooper’s side moved further away from the Premier League relegation zone. The Welsh manager insisted his players deserved their victory over free-falling Leeds, even though Forest were not at their best.

Welsh gymnasts Poppy-Grace Stickler and Ruby Evans have both been selected to represent Great Britain at the first FIG Artistic World Cup series event of 2023 later this month. The event will take place in Cottbus, Germany, from 23-26 February. Clwb Cymru Caerdydd duo Poppy and Ruby will be accompanied on the trip by lead Welsh women’s artistic national coach, Tracey Skirton-Davies.

Sabri Lamouchi has told his Cardiff City players it’s got to be no more Mr. Nice Guys if they are to save their skins in the Championship. The Bluebirds have now gone 13 matches in all competitions without a win following their 1-0 defeat at Hull City. They are still just above the relegation zone, but the three clubs below them all have two matches in hand and if they take four or more points then Cardiff will be rock bottom.

Russell Martin may well be sacked by Swansea City’s owners– or decide to quit the club – according to their former Wales striker Ian Walsh. The Swans crashed to a 4-3 defeat at home to Birmingham City on Saturday, which followed a disastrously lopsided transfer window, prompting Walsh to launch a blistering attack on owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan. Head coach Martin admitted he had “never felt as low” after the end of a week in which he had suggested the responsibility for the club failing to bring in a single new player in January – but letting six leave – lay with the American owners and not those working in Swansea.