Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards and Scarlets wing Ellis Mee are the two uncapped players to have been named in coach Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the Six Nations. Gatland has also included hooker Sam Parry – who walked out of a national camp last year after feeling disrespected by the Wales coach – along with a number of players who have recovered from recent injuries.
Cardiff City’s reward for beating Sheffield United is another away trip for the fourth round of the FA Cup – to Stoke City. The Bluebirds – the only Welsh club left in the tournament after Swansea City lost 3-0 at Southampton – overcame Championship high-fliers Sheffield United last Thursday night and then had to wait until Sunday evening to learn of their opponents in the next round.
Luke Williams admitted Swansea City were deservedly dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle after a one-sided defeat at Southampton. The Swans lost 3-0 and offered little in the way of resistance against a team struggling to win a game in the Premier League.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones paid tribute to his team as they continued their revival under his guidance. The Swansea region impressed as two tries from Jack Walsh helped them become the third team in Pool 2 to clinch a ticket into the EPCR Challenge Cup knockout stages for the second season in a row, as they beat Newcastle Falcons 35-15 at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Teddy Williams is hoping to round off a great week by picking up his first win on French soil when he leads Cardiff into their third-round clash in the EPCR Challenge Cup against Perpignan. The 24-year-old Welsh international second row confirmed on Thursday that he had signed an extension to his contract with the Arms Park club and was immediately made captain for the trip to France.
The Welsh Academies U23 XV promised to give the Wales U20 side a run for their money in the first of two clashes ahead of the U20 Six Nations and they did exactly that at the Arms Park. In front of a very healthy crowd, Richard Whiffin’s U20 team were forced to tough it out against their older and heavier counterparts in what should prove to be a very useful warm-up to the opening championship game against France in Vannes on Saturday 1 February.
You need to have shown admirable patience if you’re interested in Swansea City’s FA Cup progress this season. The Swans do not begin their Cup campaign until late Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm – the penultimate fixture of the third round – when they visit Southampton.
Golf in Wales is to receive a £1m financial boost from the Welsh Government, to help ensure a lasting legacy from the largest female sporting event ever to be held in Wales. The investment will support the Women’s Golf Legacy Fund which aims to create long-lasting change by addressing barriers faced by women and girls in golf. The initiative will provide grants to golf clubs for projects across Wales, focusing on developing inclusive, family-friendly, and gender-equal facilities.
Omer Riza believes Cardiff City’s surprise 1-0 FA Cup victory at Sheffield United can provide the fuel to propel his team away from relegation trouble. Riza watched a much-changed Bluebirds team beat an equally re-jigged home side thanks to a Cian Ashford goal to move into the fourth round.
Taulupe Faletau will reclaim his Wales No.8 spot for the Six Nations, claims Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt who insists: “If you’re good enough, you’re young enough.” After a frustrating 15 months sidelined by injuries, Faletau is slowly re-establishing himself as a familiar force on the field.
Dwayne Peel has warned his Scarlets youngsters they are in for a Shed-load of abuse on Friday night – and he couldn’t be happier. The Scarlets coach sends his team across the border to face Gloucester, knowing that a victory over the in-form English club will put them in sight of a place in the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup and the last 16.
Dwayne Peel has refused to confirm the departure from the Scarlets of Wales fly-half Ioan Lloyd, who is poised to join Cardiff for the 2025-26 season. Lloyd, who has slipped down the national team reckoning for the No.10 shirt, will leave the Scarlets after two seasons in Llanelli.
Cardiff City manager Omer Riza insists he is still in love with the magic of the FA Cup – only maybe not on a Thursday night. The old tournament reaches its third round stage this week, a familiar landmark in the sporting calendar and one that has always been neatly squeezed between New Year hangovers and the start of rugby’s Six Nations.
Omer Riza wants “three or four” new players in the January transfer window as he bids to keep Cardiff City in the Championship. The Bluebirds manager has confirmed moves have been made to sign Peterborough United forward Ricky-Jade Jones – whose blistering pace and proven goal-scoring record have caught the Bluebirds’ attention – but the net is being cast wider.
Former Swansea City head coach Graham Potter is poised to be named as the new manager of West Ham. The Hammers are close to appointing Potter, with Julen Lopetegui set to be informed of his sacking on Wednesday morning.
Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia has insisted “no stone was left unturned” to try and prolong the career of Leon Brown. The Wales tight-head prop has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 28, citing a persistent neck injury that has plagued him in recent seasons.
Rob Edwards has claimed the footballing gods are against his Luton Town side after they were beaten 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers to deepen their relegation fears. But it could soon be the former Wales defender own club who move against him as pressure mounts on the manager who took them into the Premier League the season before last.
Richard Whiffin’s Wales U20 side will continue their build up to the U20 Six Nations Championship with two games against a Regional Academies XV over the next two weeks. Having used more than 50 players in two developmental fixtures against Scotland – they won the first at home 31-7 and went down 45-43 in Edinburgh – the Welsh youngsters will face two physical tests against an Under 23 team selected from the senior academies at the four regions.
Darts chiefs have defended their decision to include Gerwyn Price in the Premier League Darts – even though he has fallen to No.10 in the world. Price has been confirmed as one of the eight competitors for the 2025 Premier League Darts – an invitational event, loosely based around the world rankings.
Regan Grace has revealed he was inspired by Cardiff’s dual code legends of the past when he opted to move from Bath to the Arms Park. The former rugby league wing – who has switched on loan for the rest of the season from Bath – is aiming to kickstart his career after a frustrating period out injured.