Louis Rees-Zammit’s superb try against Ireland should keep him in the Wales team for 20 more caps, according to TV pundit David Flatman. The former England prop thinks Wales coach Wayne Pivac should stick with Rees-Zammit, who owed his place in the starting line-up to the banning of Josh Adams. Rees-Zammit justified his selection with an acrobatic finish for Wales’ crucial second try in their 21-16 victory and gave a very solid all-round display.

Will Vaulks insists the mood has brightened at Cardiff City since Mick McCarthy replaced Neil Harris as manager. The Wales midfielder believes McCarthy’s man-management skills have improved the prevailing mood within the dressing room and provided the foundation for a recovery in form which has brought five points from three unbeaten matches. Vaulks – who helped the Bluebirds to a comfortable 2-0 win at Bristol City at the weekend – has also been impressed by McCarthy’s tactical flexibility.

Wayne Pivac confessed he was a relieved man after gaining his most significant win so far as Wales coach and proving he’s added something to his assets – a streak of luck. Pivac’s team opened their Six Nations with a fortune-favoured 21-16 victory over Ireland in an empty Principality Stadium. Ireland were the better side […]

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones says he has had “a pretty seamless” recovery from injury ahead of his comeback in Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Ireland. Jones – who was given a black eye this week, after a punch from Jake Ball, according to reports – will make his first appearance in Wales or Ospreys colours since suffering a knee injury during the Autumn Nations Cup victory over Italy nine weeks ago. He goes straight back into test match action with Wales targeting a strong start to their Six Nations campaign following last year’s poor fifth-placed finish and an overall run of just three wins in 10 games.

Mick McCarthy admitted he was baffled over a mystery illness to Alex Smithies as he marked his first win at Cardiff City boss with a 2-0 victory at Bristol City. The Bluebirds keeper was stretchered off just nine minuets into the Severnside derby having called for medical attention after slumping down beside his port.

Newport County boss Michael Flynn is hoping his sleepless night are over now the transfer window has closed. But he won’t be able to sleep like a baby until his team gets back to winning ways this month after failing to win in any of their last nine outings. The last team they beat was Grimsby Town on 8 December, their opponents today. “I signed off on transfer deadline day at 11.02pm and I was fast asleep at 11.05. It has been by far the most frustrating transfer window I’ve ever been involved in,” said Flynn.

Andy Farrell says Ireland must make a statement of intent against Wales to demonstrate their Guinness Six Nations title credentials. The Irish return to Cardiff on Sunday for the first time since a 25-7 defeat in 2019 saw Wales replace them as Grand Slam champions. Head coach Farrell was unable to help his adopted country reclaim the crown during an inconsistent first year in the job, eventually finishing a prolonged tournament third behind England and France.

Steve Cooper saluted Swansea City’s surging promotion campaign as they moved to within touching distance of the top of the Championship after a 2-0 win at home to Norwich City. Goals from Andre Ayew and blistering drive from Conor Hourihane gave the Swans their sixth win in seven games as they moved to within two points of leaders Norwich with a game in hand. This was another victory built on the most solid of foundations with Steve Cooper’s tightest defence in the league delivering their 15th clean sheet of the campaign.

For all those athletes cursing their luck and fretting over the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021, think again. A 12 month delay is nowhere near as bad as the one suffered by those hoping to go to the 1940 Olympic Games. Originally scheduled for Tokyo between 21 September and 6 October, the XII Olympiad, was rescheduled two years out to take place in Helsinki between 20 July 20 and 4 August.

Mick McCarthy insists Cardiff City are not in a relegation scrap – but knows he has a big week ahead to avoid being dragged into one. The Bluebirds travel to Bristol City on Saturday looking for their first win under their new boss after successive draws with Barnsley and Millwall.

Dan Lydiate will return for Wales after more than two years away when he plays against Ireland on Sunday. It’s a good call, according to Mike Ruddock, but the former Leinster and Ireland U20 coach reckons Wales will need to do a lot more than simply defend around their back row as he tells Graham Thomas. Mike Ruddock has warned Wales that English pair Andy Farrell and Mike Catt are looking to unleash a new multi-weaponed Ireland against them on Sunday. Wales’ former Grand Slam-winning coach believes it will not be enough for Wayne Pivac’s side to concentrate solely on blocking Ireland’s steam-rollering pack.

Helen Jenkins kicked off her campaign for the 2021 season with a top 10 finish in this week’s virtual pro event held on Zwift.

New women’s head coach Thomas Brindle is relishing chance to progress the Wales Rugby League national team. The 34-year-old takes over from Craig Taylor, who stood down at the end of last year for personal reasons, having been involved in the sport for many years.

Wayne Pivac has vowed his Wales team will give the country reason to get excited when they launch their Guinness Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Cardiff on Sunday. The Wales coach has picked George North at centre and recalled wing Hallam Amos and flanker Dan Lydiate for the opening match of the tournament as injuries and the axing of Josh Adams forced the coach’s hand. Ospreys wing North, who wins his 99th cap, is partnered by Johnny Williams in midfield as Wales go into action without Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies.

Cardiff City are at Bristol City on Saturday, but it will be another derby game devoid of atmosphere because of the absence of fans. But what’s it like being a fan on days like these? Bluebirds supporter Millie Connolly is making do with her sofa and Cardiff City TV and still thinks there are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon. With the Severnside derby upon us, Cardiff City fans – alongside their closest English neighbours – are longing for the days of experiencing 90 minutes in their respective footballing temples. The real deal that involves sitting with family, friends and total strangers who are bound by the collective love of their football team.

Adam Jones believes Wayne Pivac is suffering from Alex Ferguson syndrome – but has backed the Wales coach to finally step out of the shadow of Warren Gatland in this Six Nations. The former Wales and British & Irish Lions prop accepts the pressure is on Pivac as Wales prepare to host Ireland in their tournament opener on Sunday. Pivac needs victories and quickly if he is to hang on to his job. He experimented with youth in last year’s Autumn Nations Cup, but the results didn’t follow. The 2021 Six Nations will be his acid test.

Swansea City have warned off envious clubs casting their eyes towards head coach Steve Cooper. The Swans boss takes his side into a top of the table clash with Norwich City at the Liberty Stadium tonight hoping to close the gap on the Canaries to two points with a game in hand as the title race heats up. Last season Cooper, who won the World Cup with England Under 17 before stepping into senior club management for the first time 18 months ago, took his side to the play-offs.

Swansea City’s Korey Smith is set to return to face his first club Norwich City in Friday’s table-topping Championship clash at the Liberty Stadium. The midfielder has missed the last three matches with a thigh injury but head coach Steve Cooper is hopeful Smith will be back for the contest between what were the league’s top two until Brentford’s midweek win over Bristol City. Smith, 30, joined the Swans from Bristol City on a free transfer last summer and quickly became a key component in Cooper’s side.

With no fans inside the Principality Stadium for the Six Nations – and no pubs or rugby clubs open – predictions competitions are one way of keeping supporters feeling involved and together. Leading results agency All Wales Sport have extended the deadline for theirs to Friday and are going all out with a £200 prize pot for charity. Entry is free and all you have to do is predict each Six Nations result – in terms of overall points difference – starting with Saturday’s tournament opener between Italy and France.

Geraint Thomas has been told that 2021 does not have to be his last shot at a second Tour de France title. The 2018 Yellow Jersey winner has been told he will lead Ineos Grenadiers into Le Tour which starts in Brittany on June 26.