James Rowberry has praised his Newport County side for their dedication after they strengthened their bid for promotion from League Two. County climbed up into the automatic promotion places and could even go as high as second this week if they carry their current form into Tuesday and Friday night’s games against Carlisle and Hartlepool. A 2-0 victory away at Stevenage has left Newport fans beginning to dream about achieving their goal of climbing back into the third tier of English football for the first time in 35 years.

Cardiff keeper Alex Smithies dented Preston’s hopes of making the play-offs but bosses Steve Morison and Ryan Lowe reckoned both teams could have called a truce after 60 seconds. This was a game that had 0-0 not just written all over it, but under it and through it – like a seaside stick of rock. It was a contest that fell asleep almost as soon as it kicked off and although it roused itself in the final 15 minutes, it ended by hitting the snooze button.

Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has admitted he is already thinking of next season as their current campaign rises and lurches to a nauseous conclusion. The Swans lost 1-0 at Blackpool, a scoreline that was not in the least surprising – just as the statistic which showed their dominance of possession was 77 per cent will shock no-one, either. Under Martin this season, this is what Swansea do. They pass a lot.

Taulupe Faletau insists Wales are better than their results would have us believe and reckons the proof will come next season. The Wales No.8 claims 2023 – which includes a World Cup as well as a Six Nations – will see Wales revert to being a team that wins close games rather than loses them. The Lions star produced a familiar world class display which almost proved enough to deny Grand Slam-seeking France in a raucous Cardiff on Friday night before Les Bleus edged home, 13-9.

Kirby Myhill admits there was some dark humour used to soothe any nervousness when he and the rest of the Cardiff squad checked into their South African hotel this week. For the hooker and most of the others in the group, this was a return to the country where they had become unscheduled long term inmates following the outbreak of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 back in December. “There were a few jokes flying around when we checked into the hotel about how long we might be here, but hopefully this will be a better trip than last time,” says Myhill.

Indigo Premiership leaders Newport welcome old rivals Cardiff to Rodney Parade on Saturday for a game that could be crucial in deciding where the league title ends up this season. The Black & Ambers currently sit top of the pile, two points ahead of Saturday’s opponents with just five games remaining of the league campaign. It’s been an impressive campaign for Newport, who are currently unbeaten in the league and also comfortably through to the Premiership Cup semi-finals.

By David Williams Dan Biggar admitted Wales had let France off the hook after the Grand Slam chasers left Cardiff with a narrow victory to stay on course for a Six Nations clean sweep. The Wales captain was a frustrated figure after his team failed to take their opportunities before losing 13-9 at the Principality […]

By Gareth James Steve Morison is eyeing up a double hat-trick for his Cardiff City side when they host Preston today. The Bluebirds have already beaten the Lilywhites twice this season and a third win could lift them above arch-rivals Swansea ahead of their derby clash in the Welsh capital next month. Morison also wants […]

By Paul Jones The futures of Wales captain Sophie Ingle and goalkeeper Poppy Soper have been thrown into doubt by the financial crisis threatening to engulf Chelsea. Both Ingle and Soper play their club football at the Women’s Super League champions who have been thrown into turmoil by the UK government’s decision to sanction Chelsea […]

Dan Biggar insists Wales will be concentrating on getting their own house in order rather than putting too much emphasis on stopping individual players against firm favourites France on Friday night. The Northampton Saints playmaker will captain Wales at the Principality Stadium against a formidable France side who are chasing a Six Nations Grand Slam. France have some of the world best players in their ranks including current world player of the year Antoine Dupont.

Wales Under 20s fell to a 47-15 defeat to a powerful France Under 20s side in Colwyn Bay. Byron Hayward’s side showed plenty of character but were ultimately undone by the class of France who have moved to the top of the Under 20s Six Nations table, with Wales back in fourth place. Wales started well enough with Jac Lloyd smashing over a penalty from 42 metres out.

Only Wales and England now stand between Les Bleus and glory, with Fabien Galthie’s hugely impressive France side firmly on course for a first Six Nations title since 2010. After brushing aside Italy and battling past key rivals Ireland, ruthless France claimed an emphatic 36-17 bonus-point victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. Tomas Marks is a big admirer. However, he insists they do have some faults. “The end game is to become a major nation in world rugby, to win matches and win titles so we can be in the top three in the world,” said Fabien Galthie at the start of his reign as France’s head coach in November 2019. So far, so good. France are currently number three in the World Rugby standings and on course to live up to that billing when they host the World Cup next year.

Matt Grimes has issued a staunch defence of Swansea’s topsy-turvy season and has insisted the club are on the right path. The Swans’ 5-1 midweek thrashing by Fulham followed back-to-back victories for Russell Martin’s side and was indicative of a campaign where consistency of either results or performance has been absent. Tuesday’s defeat has left the club in 16th place, just one place above rivals Cardiff City who could go above the Swans on Saturday if the Bluebirds win at home to Preston and Grimes’ side lose at Blackpool.

Wayne Pivac insists Wales are not making a “grave error” in picking Tomas Francis to play against France – despite the protests of many, including Alix Popham. Progressive Rugby – the campaign group on head injuries – as well as Professor John Fairclough and former Wales international Popham have all voiced their dismay that Francis is starting the game on Friday night, despite the blow to the head which left him staggering around the field at Twickenham during the match against England 13 days ago. But Pivac, the Wales head coach, has confirmed that Francis has passed each stage of World Rugby’s return-to-play head injury protocols and had also been seen by an independent concussion specialist – something which is not required under the rules.

Wayne Pivac has lavished praise on France captain and world player of the year Antoine Dupont ahead of Friday’s Guinness Six Nations clash. Victories over Wales and then England in Paris next week would see Dupont lead France to their first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010. The Toulouse scrum-half is at the peak of his powers, and he presents a huge threat to Wales’ hopes of stopping France in their tracks.

By Gareth James Wales coach Wayne Pivac has backed Josh Navidi to return with a bang against France this Friday, despite him only having 80 minutes of rugby under his belt since injuring his shoulder back in October. This will be Navidi’s first appearance for Wales since facing France in last year’s Guinness Six Nations, a match in which he scored his first test try for his country.

By David Williams Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau look set to be reunited in Wales’ back row for the Guinness Six Nations clash against France on Friday. They have not played a Test match together since Wales saw their Grand Slam dream ended by France in Paris almost a year ago. Number eight Faletau returned […]

By Owen Morgan Welsh marathon runner Josh Griffiths has been selected to represent Great Britain at a second World Athletics Championships. The Swansea Harrier, who competed at the London games five years ago, is now on his way to this summer’s championships in Oregon. Griffiths famously emerged from the ranks of the club runners at the 2017 London Marathon to qualify for the World Championships on the capital’s streets later that year.

Fulham boss Marco Silva has told Swansea City the justification for Ryan Manning’s red card is evident in the wound on the leg of Wales star Harry Wilson. Manning was sent off for a tackle on Fulham’s Wilson in the 42nd minute of Tuesday night’s home 5-1 thrashing for the Swans. The score was goalless at the time and as well as disputing that the challenge was worthy of a straight red card, Swans head coach Russell Martin also claimed the dismissal ruined what had been an even contest up to that point.

By Tom Prosser  Wales defender Neco Williams says he can’t to join up with Wales later this month as it has now been confirmed that their World Cup play-off semi-final against Austria will go ahead as planned. If Rob Page’s men make it through to the final, it is now targeted to take place in early June and that could prove to be a big advantage for Wales. Wales would have around two and a half months to prepare for the crucial fixture whilst Scotland or Ukraine would only have a small number of days to rest and travel after their semi-final.