On the morning after the day before, Harri Morgan’s only blessing is that he’s not having to spend more yen – again. But there’s another thing our World Cup fan man isn’t buying after Wales’ semi-final defeat to South Africa – all the “what if” stories. To quote one of the great philosophers of our time, “What I need now is two positives, one to cancel out the negative and one . . . just to have a positive.” I can, possibly, find half a positive in the fact that I haven’t had to spend the day conducting a cost benefit analysis of forking out a heap of cash for a 32-hour flight via Cairo to get myself back to Tokyo.

Elfyn Evans finished Rally Spain in style by setting the second fastest time on the closing Power Stage – beaten only to the top time by Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja, who yesterday became the 2019 FIA World Rally Champions. Together with co-driver Scott Martin, Evans had struggled since a misfire on Friday put the M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC driver out of contention – and from then on it was a frustrating run to the finish. But the extra Power Stage bonus points have put the Dolgellau ace up into equal fourth in the drivers’ points standings – which is back to where he was before an injury enforced layoff saw him miss three rounds of the series.

Warren Gatland has been given a blunt response for Eddie Jones over comments that England may have peaked too early at the World Cup. Jones has hit back at over suggestions Gatland made ahead of the final between England and South Africa. The Wales coach questioned whether England might have played their final a game early by flattening New Zealand after his own quest with Wales to be crowned champions was ended by South Africa  in Sunday’s other semi-final.

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper paid tribute to Ben Wilmot as he came of age with the winner in the derby against Cardiff City. Wilmot scored the only goal of the game as Swansea edged Cardiff in the first Welsh derby for five years at the Liberty Stadium. The on-loan defender from Watford was only in the side because Joe Rodon has suffered an ankle injury that will require surgery and has put him out of action for club and country for months.

Swansea City 1, Cardiff City 0 Neil Warnock left Swansea a beaten man. It was the first time in seven visits he had suffered that experience. The Bluebirds manager had a good record in West Wales with one win and five draws in six visits, but he was left down and out by this defeat. […]

Swansea City and Wales defender Joe Rodon has been ruled out for “a few months” according to his manager Sreve Cooper – putting an end to his Euro qualifying campaign with Wales. The centre back missed today’s 1-0 derby victory over Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium after suffering two recent ankle injuries. The second of those – picked up in the home defeat to Brentford – means Rodon requires an operation and means he will be out for a number of weeks. 

Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted his side paid the price for conceding too many penalties as they suffered an agonising 19-16 defeat to South Africa in their World Cup semi-final. The Springboks will face England in next Saturday’s final following fly-half Handre Pollard’s match-winning penalty four minutes from time. Pollard kicked a total of 14 points and Gatland told ITV: “I’m proud of our guys. Congratulations to South Africa, I thought they played very well up front.

Guildford Flames 2, Cardiff Devils 1 Two Welshmen combined to shoot down Cardiff Devils in their Challenge Cup group match at Guildford Flames. Owen Griffiths, aged 23, scored the winning goal during the middle period with Ben Davies adding an assist. Both are Cardiff-born former Devils players. Captain Joey Martin and his team put Flames […]

Elfyn Evans has been driving the socks off his M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC over the ultra-fastest asphalt roads of Rally Spain today, but the stage-winning times he was searching for just weren’t there as he slipped to over a minute behind the leaders with just one day of the event remaining. Evans started today’s leg in seventh place, and moved up to sixth when Kris Meeke (Toyota) crashed out. And despite a huge effort, that’s where Evans has remained – with the title of top Brit and top Ford driver coming as little consolation on an event he was aiming to win. Co-driven by Scott Martin, the Dolgellau driver set an encouraging fourth fastest time through the day’s opening speed test, but after that he was unable to maintain the same rhythm, albeit through no lack of high-speed commitment.

Watford (u-18) 3, Cardiff City (u-18) 2 The young Hornets stung Cardiff City with a last gasp winner in their Professional Under-18 Development League match at the University College London Athletic Ground, Shenley. Josh Rippon had equalised for the Bluebirds after 86 minutes, but substitute Enoch Muwonge scored Watford’s winner in the final minute. City […]

Welsh flanker Aaron Wainwright, nicknamed Aaron ‘The Smash’ from his early days in rugby union, is one of the success stories of the World Cup in Japan and looks certain to play for Wales against South Africa on Sunday. Terry Phillips chatted to Cardiff City’s Academy manager about Aaron’s Bluebirds’ past There will be a huge […]

Todd Kelman has urged Cardiff Devils fans to ‘stand up for their team’. Guildford Flames, currently top of Cardiff’s Challenge Cup group, visit the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay on Sunday and Devils general manager Kelman has thrown down the gauntlet. “Okay, Devils fans I’m calling you out,” said Kelman, who is keen to see […]

Michael Flynn is causing a stir in SkyBet League Two. He has steered Newport County into fifth place, only three points behind leaders Crewe with a game in hand. Welshman Flynn has received honourable mentions throughout the Football League for the way he has rebuilt and revitalised County over the last two and a half […]

The Sunshine girls are heading to South Wales – and mid-court player Shona O’Dwyer is beaming her brightest smile after being signed by Celtic Dragons. Rebekah Robinson and Latanya Wilson, both Sunshine Girls from Jamaica, have committed to Cardiff-based Vitality Netball Superleague club Dragons – and English-born O’Dwyer is delighted to join the team. Dr […]

Elfyn Evans showed flashes of speed on Rally Spain today, but having been as high as a challenging fourth mid-way through the opening day, the Dolgellau ace had slipped down to seventh by the end of the gravel stages. A couple of half spins cost Evans and co-driver Scott Martin vital seconds through the opening loop, but a strong run through the first pass of ‘La Fatarella-Vilalba’ (SS3) promoted them to fourth place going into the afternoon. Starting the second loop just 10 seconds adrift of the lead, the M-Sport Ford pairing were on a mission but couldn’t muster the same rhythm and suffered a misfire through the final stage (SS6).

Anna Bracegirdle will be back to defend her Snowdonia Marathon title this year – thanks her to friend’s quick thinking. Bracegirdle – the laidback, non-club athlete who stormed to a dramatic victory in the women’s race in 2018 – had not even got around to making her entry for this year’s event as she mulled over her next move. Thankfully, a mate did the admin work for her and so the 26-year-old will be back to try and repeat her stunning victory of 12 months ago in one of the toughest, but most breathtaking races on the UK marathon circuit.

Wales back row forward Aaron Wainwright has been one of the success stories of the World Cup. But had Newport County got their man five years ago, then, as Graham Thomas reports, it would been a whole new ball game. If Aaron Wainwright had taken a different path at 17, then he could have been playing Premier League football this weekend instead of trying to help Wales into the final of the Rugby World Cup. The Wales flanker has been one of the breakout global stars of the tournament in Japan, his status already assured before his man-of-the-match performance in the victory over France in last week’s quarter-final.

Dean Keates and Peter Taylor are reunited when Wrexham travel to play Dagenham and Redbridge at their Chigwell Construction Stadium on Saturday (3pm). The two men worked together at Hull City between 2002 and 2004 and Daggers’ manager Taylor, a former Spurs and England player, says: “Dean is an ex-player of mine at Hull City.  […]

Welshman Jonathan Phillips plays his 1,000th Elite League match when Sheffield Steelers play Coventry Blaze at home on Saturday. Cardiff-born ‘Jonna’ started his playing days with Cardiff Devils. Dai-Sport journalist Terry Phillips, who has reported on the club for 26 years, reflects on Phillips’ progress The Phillips boys were a tight trio when Cardiff Devils […]

Neil Warnock has warned his Cardiff City players to beware any red mist that could produce red cards in Sunday’s derby clash at Swansea City. The Bluebirds manager has compared the composure needed to that required by Wales in their Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa, which kicks off just three hours beforehand in Japan. In what Warnock described as the “best armchair day of the year” for Welsh sports fans, Wales face South Africa at 9am before Swansea host Cardiff in the Sky Bet Championship at midday, live on Sky Sports.