The Mark Jones era at the Ospreys got off to a flying start as an overtime try from Iestyn Hopkins earned his side a dramatic 23-22 West Wales derby win over Scarlets at the Swansea. Com Stadium. The replacement full back slid over the line as the home side made the most of the space created by the sin binning of Scarlets wing Ioan Nicholas to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Swansea City’s skipper Matt Grimes and head coach Luke Williams have both admitted the club’s fading form needs to be urgently reversed. Both were united in their criticism – and admitted they had let down fans – after the team’s lethargic 2-1 defeat to Hull City, which snapped the Tigers’ 13-match winless streak.

Cardiff City manager Omer Riza admits there’s nothing to be done about their position in the table – other than to start winning. The Bluebirds’ 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield United makes it no wins in their last eight matches under Riza. The Londoner, who was given the permanent manager’s job until the end of the season at the start of the month, knows his side are in a precarious position ahead of a crunch clash with fellow strugglers Oxford United on Boxing Day.

New Ospreys head coach Mark Jones insists his team have one last debt to repay to Toby Booth this weekend – a derby day victory over the Scarlets. The Ospreys began the week with Booth in charge, but will end it with Jones at the helm after the region opted to change ho

Cardiff City host Sheffield United on Saturday against a familiar backdrop of uncertainty around manager and club owner. Except this time, we are talking about the visitors, not the Bluebirds.

Steve Diamond is not everyone’s cup of tea, but the English rugby coach often stirs interest along with his two sugars. Diamond is a gruff northerner, who is about as removed from Twickenham – both socially and geographically – as you can get, now that he is employed by Newcastle Falcons rather than Sale Sharks.

Warren Gatland has been told he had better start winning again during the Six Nations, otherwise his time will be up as Wales coach. Gatland’s position has been under intense scrutiny after a dire autumn consisting of defeats to Fiji, Australia and South Africa extended Wales’ losing run to a record 12 matches.

Wales playmaker and centre Ben Thomas has confirmed his future is at Cardiff by signing a new contract, reaffirming his commitment to the club where he has grown into a pivotal figure. The 26-year-old, whose versatility allows him to operate at full-back and fly-half, burst onto the scene in 2019 and has since accrued 87 first-team appearances.

Richard Merriman has won the JD Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Rally Championship title for a fifth time, although it was an extremely emotional victory this year as it came after the death of his long-time co-driver and friend Kath Curzon. Since contesting their first event together in 2009, the dynamic duo had started 114 rallies, scored four major overall wins (including one on Epynt), won their class 41 times and recorded 75 class podium results.

The final meeting of the calendar year at Ffos Las Racecourse takes place on Wednesday with a seven-race offering to celebrate the Christmas Jumper Raceday. The action gets underway at 12.22pm as nine runners tackle the class four handicap hurdle before the action comes to a close at 3.50pm with the bumper – a Flat race ran over Jumps rules for runners making their way in the early stages of their career.

Lydia Hall has stormed to victory in Australia at the final 2025 Ford Women’s New South Wales Open Regional Qualifying Event at Duntryleague in Orange. The Welsh golfer delivered a commanding performance, finishing 11-under par across two rounds (64-69) to book her spot in next year’s Ford Women’s NSW Open at Wollongong Golf Club.

Teddy Williams is having a season to remember and is thoroughly enjoying himself in the process. The Cardiff second row has been one of the stand-out performers during the opening seven rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship, as his impressive stats confirm.

Mark Jones has been handed a daunting first task as the new head coach at the Ospreys – a derby clash against fierce rivals, the Scarlets. Previous head coach Toby Booth officially stepped down from his role with immediate effect on Tuesday, with defence coach Jones taking over the reins earlier than planned.

Former world champion Gerwyn Price blitzed past Keane Barry 3-0 to secure his place in the third round of the World Darts Championship – and fellow Welshman Robert Owen secured his first win on the biggest stage as he dispatched Niels Zonneveld 3-1 in their first-round contest. But James Wade crashed out at the first hurdle against Jermaine Wattimena.

Ebbw Vale have avenged their only defeat of the campaign so far in Super Rygbi Cymru as they came from behind to beat Cardiff 32-20 at Eugene Cross Park and replace them at the top of the table. The 29-12 reverse they suffered at the Arms Park in round two back in September provided added motivation for The Steelmen, who had reeled off six consecutive wins since that setback.

Rhian Wilkinson has warned defending champions England that Wales will be armed and dangerous when they head into a Battle of Britain shoot-out at Euro 2025. The Wales coach was reacting to the seemingly inevitable draw that landed Wales – playing at a major tournament for the first time – in a tough Group D against the old enemy, France and the Netherlands in Monday evening’s draw in Lausanne.

Danny Rohl has emerged as the early favourite to replace Southampton manager Russell Martin after the former Swansea City boss was sacked on Sunday night. Rohl is currently manager of Sheffield Wednesday, where the 35-year-old German – who was an assistant to former Saints manager Ralph Hassenhuttl – has done an impressive job. Martin – who left the Swans to take over at Southampton 18 months ago – was dismissed shortly after their 5-0 hammering by Tottenham on Sunday.

Caernarfon Town made the most of their extra man to pip Barry Town United 3-2 in one of only two JD Cymru Premier games played over the weekend. Visitors Barry drew first blood through Michael George in the 25th minute when his cross-shot from the right edge of the box and looped over Hari Thomas in the home goal for a spectacular opener.

Scarlets skipper Josh Macleod scored two of his side’s five tries as they gained ample revenge for their European defeat to the Georgian side Black Lion as they won 36-18 t Parc Y Scarlets to move to six points in EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3. Gareth Davies, Johnny Williams and replacement scrum half Archie Hughes were the other try . Sam Costelow kicked 11 points to complete the job.

Taulupe Faletau made a winning return to rugby as he managed 52 minutes in only his second appearance for Cardiff this year in the 26-10 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in the Challenge Cup at the Arms Park. The second coming of 2024 for the 104-times capped Wales No 8 was a much happier experience than his first against Ulster in April.