Scarlets chairman Simon Muderack insists the Welsh regions have been short-changed over their supply of players to Wales’ title-winning Six Nations campaign. The region’s chief has called for a re-think into the financial distributions within Welsh rugby and believes only a re-allocation of resources can enable the game to recover from the effects of the pandemic. Muderack argues the Scarlets have not been compensated properly for their provision of 13 players to Wayne Pivac’s Wales squad this season.

Warren Abrahams insists Wales Women will learn the lessons from their thumping 45-0 defeat to Ireland and become a better side in the long run. South African Abrahams has quickly joined the long line of beaten Welsh coaches who talk about absorbing lessons, learning, progress, better days ahead, jam tomorrow, etc. That is after just two matches – both one-sided, heavy defeats in which Wales’ most encouraging moments came when they did no more than simply stem the flow of tries being conceded.

The JD Cymru Premier title race sparked back into life for the start of Phase 2 as The New Saints wiped out Connah’s Quay’s three-point lead at the top of the table. Newly appointed head coach Anthony Limbrick enjoyed a perfect start as The New Saints defeated Bala Town to climb above title rivals Connah’s […]

By Paul Jones Mick McCarthy has conceded Cardiff City’s play-off dream is over, barring some kind of miracle. The straight-talking Bluebirds manager admitted only an unforeseen meltdown by a number of clubs above his team would enable Cardiff to finish in the top six following their 2-2 draw at home to Blackburn. Adam Armstrong scored […]

Lauren Williams saw her reign as European Taekwondo champion ended after a hard-fought battle in the final in Sofia. The Gwent fighter lost out 13-10 to Croatia’s Mate Jelic 13-10 in the -67kg category.

Steve Cooper paid tribute to ‘classy’ Jamal Lowe as the forward ended a difficult week with a double strike in Swansea City’s 3-0 victory at Millwall. Lowe’s two goals after Andre Ayew netted the opener ended a four game losing streak by Cooper’s men who got their promotion bid right back on track.

The Gemma Grainger era with Wales may have started with a defeat, but the new manager believes she has seen enough to leave her feeling positive about the future.  Grainger’s side were beaten 3-0 by Canada –  a team flourishing with confidence at Cardiff’s Leckwith Stadium on Friday evening – in the former Middlesborugh coach’s first game since taking over from Jayne Ludlow. Deanne Rose gave the visitors the lead in the first half, before Evelyn Viens doubled Canada’s advantage with Jessie Fleming adding the third.

Jade Jones gave her Olympic bid the perfect boost when she was crowned European Taekwondo champion for the third time in Sofia. The Flint fighter’s hat-trick of titles sets her up perfectly for her bid to become the first person in Taekwondo to win three successive Olympic Games golds this summer.

Damian Cole is aiming to break the outright record of rally wins on Epynt, and win the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship for a seventh time this year, in a new Škoda Fabia R5.

Craig Fisher has been appointed as the inaugural head coach of the Wales Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) side. The 40-year old has previously been involved in the coaching set-ups with both North Wales Origin and Wales Dragonhearts.

Willis Halaholo emerged as one of the new stars of the Six Nations this season as the Cardiff Blues player completed his journey from New Zealand provincial player to Wales international. A quarter of a century ago, Dale McIntosh charted the same route and believes their progress underlines the continuing strength in their homeland as he tells Graham Thomas. The rise of Willis Halaholo proves just how much depth there still is in New Zealand rugby, former Wales international Dale McIntosh has claimed. Halaholo picked up a Six Nations championship medal with Wales this season – eight years after Wayne Pivac opted not to offer the Cardiff Blues centre a senior contract when they were together at Auckland.

Matty Dolan has good memories of the One Call Stadium in Mansfield and would love to add to them tonight when Newport County continue their drive for promotion. Two years ago, it was Dolan’s penalty in the shoot-out against The Stags that sent his side into the League Two play-off final. County then suffered heartbreak at Wembley, but Dolan is hoping to make up for that by going up this season.

Warren Abrahams has backed his Wales Women’s side to bounce back quickly when they face Ireland on Saturday in their next Six Nations assignment. A new era began for Wales as their first tournament campaign under new head coach Abrahams got underway last weekend. But Wales suffered a heavy 53-0 defeat against a strong French side in Vannes and while it may be exciting to see a new coaching set up, it may take a while to develop a winning mentality.

Swansea City have created some initial momentum in their campaign to boycott social media with both Birmingham City and Rangers joining their protest. Scottish champions Rangers have announced that all players and management will not post content on any platform for the duration of a week, following a similar step taken by Birmingham after the Swans’ lead. Premier League and EFL clubs are reportedly now set for a summit to discuss a complete social media blackout.

There has only ever been one main Manchester United hero for Charlie Savage – and it’s not dad, Robbie. The 17-year-old midfielder has admitted Scott McTominay – and not Savage senior – is the inspiration behind his goal to reach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Old Trafford first team. Robbie was a member of United’s ‘Class of 92’ alongside the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt.

Wales women’s coach Warren Abrahams believes mixing up his selection is a key strategy to make his team more competitive. Abrahams, who was appointed to his role in November, has made four changes from the side who were dealt a 53-0 hammering in France last weekend. Cara Hope and Cerys Hale replace Caryl Thomas and Donna Rose in the front row respectively. Elsewhere, Natalia John comes in at lock and Courtney Keight starts at 11 as Jasmine Joyce is away on GB sevens duty.

Billy Root admits it will be more than a routine season opener when he faces brother and England captain Joe on Thursday. The Glamorgan all-rounder will take on his big brother at Headingly as the Welsh County begin their County Championship campaign at the home of the England batsman. “We both will say this is just another game of County Championship cricket and there is a job to be done which is true, but there is a little bit more on it for us personally,” said Root junior, who, at 28 is two years younger than Joe.

Wales face Ireland in the women’s Six Nations this weekend with much to prove after their opening round heavy defeat against France. It was a result that didn’t really need much explaining, unlike so much else around the squad, according to Fraser Watson. Less than three weeks ago, one of Wales Women’s most high profile performers was crashing over for a hat-trick of tries in a thrilling Allianz Premier 15s encounter. The exploits of the 58-cap international in question, Sioned Harries, weren’t enough to help Worcester Warriors edge a thrilling contest with Gloucester-Hartbury – but they did reiterate her long proven credentials at the top level of the women’s game.

Some people feel born to coach from a young age. Wayne Pivac and Jose Mourinho were both guiding others in their 20s and so, too, is Singh Jasminder Bal on the hockey field as he tells Graham Thomas. Singh Jasminder Bal – Jaz – has an online clip of him lobbing a goalkeeper that has been viewed over 12,000 times, but still believes his biggest impact will come as a coach. The video of the Penarth Hockey Club player – nonchalantly flicking the ball up with his stick and tapping it, with his back to goal, over the head of a flailing keeper – is impressive and worth checking out on Twitter.

This month marks a fresh era for women’s international football in Wales as new manager Gemma Grainger begins her reign in charge of the national team.  Work has started this week, when Grainger – who has worked across the England development teams for 11 years – prepares to take charge of her first matches before the 2023 World Cup qualifiers begin in September. Wales host Canada, on Friday, and Denmark next Tuesday – which will give Grainger the chance to see her new side in action for the very first time.