Hadleigh Parkes will make his Wales debut against South Africa five years after he says he finally realised he would never be an All Black. The New Zealander will win his first cap for his adopted country on Saturday, having served out – just – his three-year residency period. Parkes, 30, was tending sheep on the family farm as recently as 2014, before he arrived at the Scarlets, where he has thrived as a hard-running centre.

Neil Warnock praised Cardiff City’s ‘fantastic’ fans after their 3-1 home win against Norwich City. While Canaries manager Daniel Farke was fuming over second half decisions by the referee, Warnock was overjoyed by a fourth successive win. “The fans were fantastic and I heard them signing happy birthday,” said Warnock. “It was a fabulous feeling. […]

Bluebirds fans sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to manager Neil Warnock as his team eased to a fourth successive Championship victory. More than 17,000 fans, which was a disappointing attendance with Cardiff City flying high, roared their team on during an impressive comeback in a 3-1 win. Norwich scored first, just before half-time, but Warnock’s warriors powered […]

Neil Warnock and his players are preparing a Cardiff City Stadium birthday party tonight (Friday, 7.45pm). The Bluebirds are at home against Norwich City on Warnock’s 69th birthday and a win would lift Cardiff to within a point of Championship leaders Wolves. Warnock’s warriors are aiming to earn a fourth successive victory this evening and […]

George North is returning to Wales and all four regions are keen to sign him up. But with Wales the priority, Peter Jackson wonders what value they will get from a player who has so often been kept on the sidelines through injury. George North arrived at Franklin’s Gardens from West Wales one year after Chris Ashton left for North London. The Welsh colossus reported for duty in the summer of 2013 fresh from some famous deeds for the Lions in Australia and eager to help Northampton continue to lord it over the rest as newly-crowned champions of England. They had won the title, what’s more, at the expense of the opponent they love to beat more than any other, Saracens – and Ashton to boot.

Merthyr Town are preparing for #PackThePark2. Manager Gavin Williams and his Martyrs are at home against Biggleswade Town and hope for another attendance of around 1,000. “The fans have been magnificent and we’d love them to turn out in force again,” said Williams. Merthyr are facing a financial crisis, but are raising money via a […]

Paul Clement has admitted Swansea City are already facing “Cup finals” in their search for points – and the Premier League season is not even halfway over. The Swans remain in the relegation zone after taking only one point from their last six games. But Saturday’s opponents Stoke are only four points better off than Swansea, having won only once in seven games.

Cardiff Devils are closing in on another Sunday night sell-out in Cardiff Bay. There are less than 250 tickets left for the Elite League ice hockey match against Dundee Stars at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday (6pm). Player-coach Andrew Lord and his team have a score to settle with Stars after Devils lost 3-1 in […]

Rhys Fisher leads his Ammanford AFC team on a JD Welsh Cup mission on Saturday (1.30pm). Captain ‘Fish’, who has scored for Ammanford teams in every season for more than two decades, is ready for their derby clash with Carmarthen Town. The third round tie is at Ammanford Rec and 27-year-old Fisher, from Betws, says: […]

Wales are out of the World Team Squash Championships after losing against hosts France. World number one Gregory Gaultier led the French to a 3-0 victory, beating Welsh first string Joel Makin 11-6, 11-9, 12-10 in 54 minutes. Mathieu Castagnet defeated Peter Creed, from Rhiwbina SRC, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 and Newport’s David Haley was beaten […]

The third round of the JD Welsh Cup gets underway this weekend with all 12 Welsh Premier League teams entering the competition. With only one all-WPL tie there is plenty of scope for lower level teams to make the headlines over the next few days, so here are three ties in particular you might want […]

The fourth game of a series of Test matches should feel climactic, but it’s one step – and certainly one sup – too far for Robin Davey. The bloke carrying six pints who walks past just as Steff Evans goes on a run. You know who you are. Do one. Wales against South Africa has never been a game worthy of downgrading, but this weekend’s clash at the Principality Stadium has been seriously overshadowed by other events. The fixture itself – until recently one of the major northern-southern hemisphere clashes – has been bypassed by massive criticism of crowd behaviour inside the stadium and by whether there should be of a fourth autumn international at all.

The Roosters are ready to strut their stuff against Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints. Penrhyncoch Roosters take on TNS in the first JD Welsh Cup third round tie of the weekend at Park Hall on Friday evening (7.45pm). The Cymru Alliance team defeated newly promoted South Wales Alliance Premier club Caerphilly Athletic 4-2 […]

Tom Shanklin has urged Warren Gatland to re-fresh his Wales back-up team by bringing in a new attack coach. As Wales prepare to take on South Africa in their final Test of the autumn series, former Wales centre Shanklin believes Wales must add a new voice to the mix as they look ahead to the World Cup in two years’ time. In an interview with South African website, Sport24, Shanklin says Gatland should stay in charge, but bring in new blood to enhance Wales’ attacking game.

Bangor City enter the third round of the Welsh Cup this weekend as one of the competition’s favourites. The eight-time Cup winners have a rich pedigree in the competition and with the stakes for European qualification high once again, nothing short of a win on Saturday will be expected. Bangor have re-established themselves as serious […]

The Beast is lame and will not be hunting heads for trophies when South Africa pitch up to play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. Powerful prop Tendai Mtawarira – who has the beastly nickname – has been ruled out of the Springboks’ clash at the Principality Stadium. Mtawarira is sidelined due to a groin injury and will be replaced in the front row by Steven Kitshoff.

Hadleigh Parkes has been told to hit the ground running when he make his debut for Wales – or risk being overtaken by Owen Watkin. New Zealand-born Parkes  – from Hunterville, Manawatu in the country’s North Island – will make his first Test appearance in Saturday’s Principality Stadium clash against South Africa on the day the 30-year-old qualifies for his adopted country on residency. But if the Scarlets centre already knew the clock was ticking on his international career with a late start, then Wales coach Warren Gatland has told him he is under pressure from Watkin, who is nine years younger at 21.

Aron Gunnarsson looks set to leave Cardiff City next summer. He has turned down the offer of a new contract and will be free to move on at the end of this season. Manager Neil Warnock said: “We’ve spoken numerous times and I’ve been asking him since pre-season to commit – but he feels he […]

Cardiff Devils are ready to stir up a Storm this weekend – and they’ll be seeing Stars in Cardiff Bay on Sunday. Captain Jake Morissette and his team returned from Scotland in positive mood after earning a 5-3 Elite League win against Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield. Matt Pope inspired a Devils comeback with two goals […]

Wales are competing in the World Team Squash Championships for the first time since 2009 and have qualified for the last 16. Number one Joel Makin put the 13th seeds ahead in the pool D tie against the Czech Republic before second string Peter Creed beat Swiss Martin Svec 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10 to clinch […]