Australia’s media has reacted with fury to the decision to ban Wallabies wing Reece Hodge for three World Cup matches – including Sunday’s clash with Wales – for a dangerous tackle with Sydney’s Daily Telegraph describing it as “farcical”. Hodge caught Fijian flanker Peceli Yato in the head with a tackle in the 26th minute of the Pool D opener in Sapporo on Saturday, but was cleared of an offence by the match-day officials. He was cited on Sunday and will now miss Australia’s crunch clash with Wales on Sunday as well as the matches against Uruguay and Georgia.

Fijian interceptor Dee Bolakoro is one of seven signings revealed by Vitality Netball Superleague club Celtic Dragons. British Army soldier Bolakoro, who prides herself on interceptions and spent the summer competing at the Vitality Netball World Cup, has signed for Dragons along with Chelsea Lewis, Abby Tyrrell, Leila Thomas, Amy Clinton, Paige Kindred and Sophie […]

Wrexham have sacked manager Bryan Hughes and a club statement says: “Bryan has left his position of first team manager with immediate effect.” The Dragons have launched a drive to appoint their fifth manager in 18 months after their decision was revealed around midnight. Hughes left the club after a 3-2 midweek defeat at AFC […]

Cardiff sailor Ellie Creighton beat the boys to come away as Welsh champion after braving some testing weather conditions in the sea off Mumbles in the 2019 Welsh Regional Championships. Around 80 of the best young sailors in Wales took part in the Welsh Regional event at the weekend, part of the British Youth Sailing Championships with similar trials being held all around the UK. It was Cardiff Bay’s Creighton who came out on top overall in the Optimist class, thanks to a perfect record of four wins, with the second placed girl Sophia Hankins, also from Cardiff Bay.

Today – September 25 – is National Fitness Day. But don’t worry if you haven’t yet laced up your trainers, because – as Owen Morgan reports – there’s plenty of opportunity to start enjoying a more active life. National Fitness Day is aimed at highlighting the role physical activity plays in helping us all lead healthier, happier lives. This year’s event, on September 25, will see thousands of events being held the length and breadth of Britain to encourage the population to keep fit.

Aaron Wainwright has made a big impact for Wales in recent months, but it has come as little surprise to those in the know at Cardiff Met. The Dragons player – who celebrates his 22nd birthday today – was on a familiar path to success as Kasey Rees discovered. As Wales got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start by beating Georgia on Monday, although Justin Tipuric earned the man of the match award, many observers’ eyes were on former Cardiff Met student Aaron Wainwright. Three years ago, hardly anyone outside of the university had heard of Wainwright. If they had, it may have been because he once played football for Cardiff City’s academy.

Welsh cyclist Ethan Vernon said losing power on the climbs cost him vital seconds on a rain-lashed UCI World Championships under-23 time trial course on Tuesday. Vernon finished in 21st place out of the 52 riders who completed the 30.3km course from Ripon to Harrogate. The 19-year old’s time was 2:12.76 minutes off the gold medal winning standard of 40.20.42 set by Denmark’s Mikkel Bjerg.

Steve Cooper believes Swansea City can take heart from their Carabao Cup exit at Watford – despite the club’s second defeat in three games. The Swans went out of the tournament as they lost 2-1 at Vicarage Road to the Premier League club, who were still smarting from their 8-0 mauling at Manchester City on Saturday. Quique Sanchez Flores got the response he wanted from Watford thanks to a winner from Danny Welbeck and Roberto Pereyra’s opener after Sam Surridge had equalised for the Swans.

Merthyr Town have signed former Wales, Celtic and Arsenal striker John Hartson – for one night only. The Martyrs are hosting an evening with Hartson at their MetCoaches Stadium at the end of October, although the exact date is yet top be confirmed. Merthyr have also invited former club players Kevin Rodgers, Peter Jones and […]

Wales’ leading Cage Warriors contender Mason Jones is backing his home country to go all the way to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Japan. Coach Warren Gatland’s Welsh team defeated Georgia 43-14 at Tokyo Stadium in their opening group match and passionate rugby supporter Jones says: “When I get some downtime from training I’ll […]

Teenager Deakan Fielder has made has made an outstanding start to life with Cardiff Fire. Telford-born Fielder, who played alongside NHL draft pick Liam Kirk for Great Britain’s under-20 team, joined National Ice Hockey League South team Fire this season and has been in excellent form. The 19-year-old former Fresno Monsters player, who has skated […]

Miserly Newport County are proud of their League Two defensive record after conceding only six goals in 10 fixtures. Cornishman Scott Bennett, a 28-year-old former Notts County and Exeter defender, was at the heart of County’s back five and was voted man of the match. Only Forest Green Rovers (5) have conceded fewer goals and […]

Centre-forward Ryan ‘#FearTheBeard‘ Prosser is back in action and the Martyrs are delighted. Former Ton Pentre striker Prosser, who is in his 10th season playing for Merthyr Town, has returned from injury and celebrated with a goal. That took Prosser’s all-time tally for Merthyr to 166 in 343 matches, although his goal was not enough to […]

A successful season has helped land Welsh cyclist Jess Roberts her first professional contract with one of the sport’s top road teams. The 20-year-old from Carmarthenshire has signed a two-season deal, starting next year, with prestigious World Tour team Mitchelton-SCOTT. Roberts comes from a background in track cycling but has displayed her huge potential on the road, having won the British Road Race Championships last year when she was just 19 years old. She also represented Wales in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games road race.

Wrexham manager Bryan Hughes admits he is under pressure, but insists: “I believe in my squad of players.” The Dragons are without a win in seven Vanarama National League matches and lost 1-0 at Aldershot Town in their last outing. They are 19th in the table, a long way from achieving their dream of promotion […]

So, how was Wales’ World Cup opener for you? Did it involve some sneaky glances at the action on your phone or did you go for the full-throttle sickie? Dai Sport’s Harri Morgan pulled the old “working from home” routine, but now he’s packing his bags to be out there in person. As opening gambits go, the “Shouldn’t you be at work?” line was a piece of genius from Des Lynam, as he welcomed viewers to coverage of England’s first World Cup football fixture of France ‘98 against Tunisia early on a Friday afternoon. In a simple line he had captured the state of a nation, who had no doubt found excuses ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous in order to swerve other obligations to watch THE match. One does simply not miss a World Cup opener.

Josh Adams has admitted Wales were irritated to concede two tries against Georgia as they realise they will require far better in their next World Cup clash against Australia. With their opening match now out of the way – a mixed bag of dominance, sparkling tries, and then a loss of direction in their 43-14 win – Wales must now re-focus on Sunday’s crucial Pool D match against the Wallabies. Cardiff Blues wing Adams showcased his rich form by scoring a brilliant solo try as Wales saw off the Georgians at the City of Toyota Stadium.

By his own admission, the last ten weeks have been a nightmare for Elfyn Evans as he’s had to sit out three rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship as he recovers from a back injury. But the good news – for both him and rally fans – is that recent testing has gone well and he’s been passed fit for next month’s Wales Rally GB (3-6 October). The 30-year old Dolgellau ace was enjoying a good season before hurting his back after a heavy and awkward landing during July’s non-championship Rally Estonia. “I actually finished the rally – there was some pain but it was only after visiting a specialist on my return to the UK that the full extent of the injury was revealed,” said Evans. “They told me it was advisable not to keep driving for fear of making it worse.”

Crystal Palace 2, Cardiff City 3 The young Bluebirds stormed back from two goals down to stun Crystal Palace in a Professional Development Under-18 League match at Beckenham Training ground in London. Goals from Harry Pinchard, Rubin Colwill and Ntazana Mayembe led coach Matthew Bloxham’s team to their second league win of the seasonCardiff City […]

Elynor Backstedt claimed Great Britain’s second bronze medal of the UCI World Cycling Championships in Yorkshire on Monday morning. The 17-year-old Pontyclun cyclist finished third in the junior individual time trial despite almost crashing out when she skidded on an early bend in the slippery road conditions. Backstedt produced a brilliant ride to finish just 10.93 seconds second down on the winner Aigul Gareeva, of Russia, who also had a mishap when she overshot the final bend of the 13.7km course around Harrogate.