Under-pressure Wales coach Wayne Pivac will ring the changes for the Autumn Nations Cup game with Georgia next week. But the Kiwi will not be one of them as he insisted he was still the man to take Wales forward after the 32-9 defeat against Ireland.

Wales suffered a sixth straight defeat under head coach Wayne Pivac after a 25-9 defeat against Ireland in their opening Autumn Nations Cup game. Pivac’s side were ruthlessly punished for conceding a stream of penalties and never looked likely to threaten to score a try in Dublin.

Lydia Hall shot another below par round to remain in contention at the $1million Aramco Saudi Ladies International. The 32-year-old followed up her six under from the first round with a one under on her second round to move to -7.

Former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw believes the current squad will not be “missing a beat” over manager Ryan Giggs’ absence. Giggs missed Thursday’s goalless draw with the United States following his arrest over an alleged row with girlfriend Kate Greville at his Manchester home on November 1. The 46-year-old has denied the allegation of assault made against him and will miss the Nations League ties against the Republic of Ireland and Finland as Greater Manchester Police continues its investigation into the matter. Giggs’ assistant, Robert Page, is in charge for the three games and Earnshaw told the PA news agency: “As a player you’re in that situation on the basis of being a professional and applying yourself whether the manager’s there or not.

Cory ‘Poppins’ McKenna makes her eagerly-awaited UFC debut on Saturday as the Cwmbran fighter looks to lay-down her MMA marker in Las Vegas  The 21-year-old’s spot in the prelims at UFC Fight Night 183 follows the dominant performance against Vanessa Demopoulos on Dana White’s Contender Series in August.

Welsh judo chief Darren Warner has warned his sport faces big challenges ahead as it continues to adjust to the consequences of the pandemic. This week’s announcement of major breakthroughs in the progress towards a vaccination against Covid-19 was welcome news for all, but in a sporting context it offers the only long-term solution to close contact sports such as judo, boxing and rugby. Before coronavirus, Welsh judo had been one of the sports on the rise in terms of participation. There are 80 affiliated clubs and over 2,400 members in clubs across Wales.

Tomos Francis has come a long way in five years, although there have been plenty of bumps and scrapes on the road to his 50th cap for Wales. The Aviva Stadium represents a special place for the Exeter Chiefs prop, who will reach that landmark against Ireland this evening. It was where he made his international bow and will also be the place where he brings up a half century of appearances.

Wales face Ireland in Dublin tonight at the start of the new Autumn Nations Cup. Coach Wayne Pivac is hoping change in tournament will bring a change in fortunes, but Grand Slam winner and former Ireland U20, Leinster and Lansdowne coach Mike Ruddock believes it will come down to guts and muscle as he tells Graham Thomas. Mike Ruddock has told Wales they need to stand firm in Dublin tonight if they are to avoid a sixth successive defeat. As always, the former Grand Slam-winning coach has more than enough feet in both camps on the eve of an Ireland-Wales clash.

Michael Flynn has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for October – but insists it’s all down to Newport County’s players. Flynn has taken the exiles top of the division with three of their six victories secured by winning goals from the 88th minute onwards.

By Phil White Wales can turn their attention to the serious business of the Nations League now – and welcome back Gareth Bale. The Tottenham star was rested for the tepid goalless draw with a technically excellent USA team at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium. Caretaker boss Rob Page – and an absent but watching Ryan Giggs – […]

Gerwyn Price put his latest title success down to a roadside stop for a bit of KFC. The world No 3 won the Players Championship on day three of the PDC winter series in Coventry.

Elinor Barker struck elimination gold at the UEC European Track Championships in Bulgaria. Wales’ Olympic and world champ won the race in Plovdiv with a controlled display of power.

Last Sunday’s World Cup of Darts final saw Wales lift the trophy for the first time after beating England. It was clear that Gerwyn Price was the player of the weekend, but what about his partner, Jonny Clayton? James Dodd takes looks at the journey made by “The Ferret” and examines whether he, too, can become one of the world’s best. He may have triumphed at the World Cup of Darts and ensured Wales are the new world champions, but it hasn’t always been the happiest of times for Jonny Clayton on the biggest stages. The World Championships have seen the Llanelli-born player reach a modest high point of the third round in his last four years.

Jack Shore is targeting a trio of big wins in UFC in 2021 after seeing his fight dreams disrupted this year.

Lydia Hall reckons changes she made to her game during lockdown is beginning to pay off at the $1million Aramco Saudi Ladies International. The Bridgend golfer was lying second on six under – just one shot off the lead held by namesake Georgia who shot a course record 65.

There has been talk this week that Wales’ game in Ireland on Friday night is a “must-win” one for Wayne Pivac. Harri Morgan begs to differ. For him, it’s more about “must change” for Pivac who should ditch the suit, bring back the baseball cap, and deliver the revolution he was expected to oversee. On the night of Friday, January 12th, 2018, Wayne Pivac could have re-directed the team bus to Welsh Rugby Union headquarters and declared a coup d’etat. And there would have been little in the way of resistance or dissent from the public.

Wales will be up against one of the most exciting youngsters in world football tonight when they face the USA in Swansea. Teenager Giovanni Reyna – who is setting tongues wagging and hearts fluttering among Borussia Dortmund fans in Germany – is set for his international debut, but at least Wales will avoid Christian Pulisic, who is being rested. The latest step on 17-year-old Reyna’s meteoric rise will see national team head coach Gregg Berhalter hand the youngster some game time against Wales at the Liberty Stadium.

Owen Beck has signed a new contract with Liverpool FC. The Flint-born Wales youth international left-back only signed his first pro contract with the Reds in June.

Wayne Pivac is expecting more energy, and looking for greater control, from his Wales side when they launch their Nations Cup campaign against Ireland in Dublin on Friday night. Having experienced a run of five successive defeats, Pivac is confident of getting a positive reaction from an unchanged side from the team named to play Scotland at the end of last month. “We believe we can win whenever we take the field, against any opposition. The fact that we haven’t done that in a series of games now, obviously, is not something that we’re comfortable with,” said Pivac.

Elinor Barker helped Britain cruise into the team pursuit gold medal final at the European Track Championships in Bulgaria. The 26-year-old joined forces with Josie Knight, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald as they caught Spain early in the 4km race.