Warren Gatland has welcomed the Rugby World Cup draw which will see Wales kick-off  their 2019 campaign against Georgia. The Wales coach and his squad will start their pool matches against the emerging European force of the Georgians, who they also host this autumn, in Toyota on Monday, September 23 (kick-off 11.15am). They then tackle Pool D top seeds Australia in Tokyo on Sunday, September 29 (kick-off 8.45am).

Last weekend’s Welsh derbies in the Guinness Pro14 attracted attendances that could best be described as modest. Geraint Powell traces the decline in crowds and says the problems are deep-rooted. The issue of crowds at the regions – or, rather, the consistent lack thereof – has returned towards the top of the domestic rugby agenda. Even before the “Welsh derby” matches, Brendan Gallagher of The Rugby Paper, and a 1980s veteran of the Western Mail Championship/Whitbread Merit Table circuit from his time with the South Wales Echo, had tweeted about how big rugby spectator bases had been “brazenly abandoned” and “never returned” in South Wales.

Penallta rugby club are still on course for a double dose of delight at the Principality Stadium in the WRU Cup Finals weekend after both their 1st and 2nd XVs made it through in the National Plate and Bowl competitions last weekend. But they both face tricky away games in the next round on 9 December with the 1st XV heading to either Brynamman or Cwmgors and the 2nd XV going to Division 3A East club, Oakdale. The club that has produced a host of professional players, including new Wales squad hooker Elliot Dee and Dragons outside half Arwel Robson, are currently the proud owners of the WRU National Plate.

Chris Coleman has admitted he will never get rich – at least not in football terms – as manager of Wales, but it is long term spending on things other than his wages that will determine whether or not he remains in the job. “If you’re managing Wales, this is not where you make your fortune,” said Coleman on Wednesday after naming a 24-man squad for November friendlies against France and Panama after last month’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Coleman was not being flippant, but trying to emphasise what he believes is an “important crossroads” for the country as talks continue over whether he will remain as manager.

Joey Martin his regaining his Elite League swagger. That’s the view of Cardiff Devils head coach Andrew Lord following victories against Coventry Blaze (7-2) and Fife Flyers (5-3). Canadian centre Martin netted three goals over the two fixtures and was voted man of the match after both. The signs are that the top line playmaker, […]

Elfyn Evans has reflected on a year that has seen him go from rally spectator to Wales’ first winner of a World Rally Championship event. The Dolgellau-born driver missed last year’s Wales Rally GB having been dropped by M-Sport from it’s WRC line-up.

Sports fans can now own a ‘small piece’ of the Principality Stadium, thanks to a new range of high quality prints, created by Cardiff artist and graphic designer, David Hopkins. The Small Pieces range features images of famous landmarks based on David’s own distinctive photographs.

Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds swept into second place in the Championship thanks to 3-1 home win against Ipswich Town. Cardiff City proved too strong for Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich in South Wales and are now focused on this Saturday’s Severnside derby at Bristol City. Goals from Junior Hoilett, impressive centre-forward Omar Bogle, making his full debut, and […]

Mick McCarthy’s players are ready for another Championship battle when they visit Cardiff City Stadium this evening. His Ipswich Town team won 2-1 at Burton Albion last time out and are in South Wales aiming to build on that success. McCarthy’s men have fought back from behind to win away matches at Barnsley, Millwall and […]

USA Eagles wing Blaine Scully has said he wants to help the Cardiff Blues reach their potential after re-signing with the region. Scully has signed a new contract of unspecified length, but it is thought to see him committed to the Arms Park until 2019. The 29-year-old joins Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull, Rhun Williams and Corey Domachowski in agreeing a new deal, although a large number of Blues players remain in the final months of their existing contracts.

The new era at the Dragons is certainly having a positive effect, given the recent contract renewals signed by Wales squad newbies Leon Brown and Elliot Dee. Home grown talent committing themselves to play under Bernard Jackman at Rodney Parade is exactly what the Dragons faithful wanted. Hallam Amos was kept out of the clutches of other Welsh regions, Tyler Morgan has remained, and there is a new generation growing up at the club.Dee played for Wales Under 20 at the 2013 and 2014 Junior World Championships, helping Wales to reach the final in 2013. He now finds himself playing alongside no fewer than seven players from those two squads at the Dragons – James Benjamin, Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos, Angus O’Brien, Jack Dixon, Luke Garrett and Joe Davies.

Chaz Davies is aiming to finish his World Superbikes campaign on a high note in Qatar. The Knightborn-born rider has a great chance of finishing runner-up in the Championship for the second time in three years.

The ABP Newport Wales Marathon course has been revealed – and it will offer runners the chance of fast times on one of the UK’s flattest courses.  The route has been finalised for the inaugural 26.2 race, which will see more than 5,000 participants compete on 29 April, 2018.  Double Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace has devised the course for Wales’ new national marathon. The race will start and finish on Newport’s riverfront and take-in some of the city’s iconic landmarks as well as the coastland of South Wales. 

Scarlets flanker John Barclay has been identified by Scotland as the man to lead them into the 2019 World Cup. The back row forward has missed the last month of the season for his region due to concussion, but is expected to return for the autumn internationals. Barclay suffered two years in the international wilderness after moving to Wales from Glasgow four years ago, but has captained his country in their last six Tests after taking over from Greig Laidlaw when the scrum-half suffered injury.

Former Merthyr Town striker Josh Bull scored twice in Cwmbran Celtic’s Nathaniel Cars League Cup win against Ton Pentre, Celtic won 4-3 after extra time at Ynys Park and their goals were scored by Bull (2), Chris Ham and Callum Wakeham, Despite the defeat, Rhondda Bulldogs manager Kevin Richards was pleased with the team’s efforts […]

Former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has selected Bluebirds defender Callum Paterson in his Scotland squad. Performance director Malky Mackay is in charge of the national team on a caretaker basis after the departure of manager Gordon Strachan. Former Hearts full-back Paterson, capped five times, made his Cardiff debut after 10 months out with a […]

James Waite played his second Cardiff City match in 24 hours and made a big impact against Queens Park Rangers at Harlington Sports Ground. Midfield battler Waite was Bluebirds’ under-19 captain in their 5-0 FAW Youth Cup win against Merthyr Town the previous day and was in the under-23 development squad at QPR. He went […]

Stuart Fleetwood holds the key to Merthyr Town’s faltering hopes of launching a Southern League Premier Division play-offs challenge. The experienced former Cardiff City striker has scored well over 100 goals during his career, but he’s hit a barren spell with the Martyrs. Fleetwood scored 17 goals for Weymouth last season, but he has failed […]

Tom Cave from Aberdovey, together with his co-driver James Morgan from Hirwaun, scored an impressive third-place finish in the fiercely contested WRC2 category on this year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB.

Andrew Lord has applauded Elite League officials for their ‘gutsy’ decision to look again at the one-match suspension imposed on Sheffield Steelers forward Colton Fretter. The Canadian playmaker has now been banned for six games including this Saturday’s Elite League clash with Devils at Ice Arena Wales. There was nationwide condemnation among ice hockey fans […]