Geraint Thomas was bloodied but unbowed after surviving a nasty crash on Saturday’s Milan-San Remo race. The Cardiff-born ace fell in a pile-up near the start on the key Cipressa climb around 18 miles from the finish of the 180-mile long classic in Italy.

Francesco Guidolin admitted Swansea did not perform to their best against Aston Villa as they all but secured their Premier League safety. The Swans moved 11 points clear of the drop zone thanks to Federico Fernandez’s second-half winner for his first goal for the club.

GEORGE North is running back into his Lions form of 2013 – just in time to run into the All Blacks – according to Wales coach Warren Gatland. The Northampton wing scored just one of his side’s nine tries in their record 67-14 demolition of Italy, a victory that clinched a Six Nations runners-up spot for Wales.

Wales Under-20s made history on Friday night as they claimed their first Grand Slam at this level with a 35-6 victory over Italy at Parc Eirias. Four second-half tries, including a double for No.8 Harrison Keddie, put paid to a plucky Azzurri side who had been level at 6-6 at the break.

Francesco Guidolin has urged Swansea to win their ‘Cup final’ by putting another nail into Aston Villa’s Premier League coffin. The Swans manager knows the Villans have to win Saturday’s game at the Liberty Stadium and will come out fighting despite their off-field problems.

Wales manager Chris Coleman has named his squad for the two March friendlies, ahead of the Euro finals in France. Dai Sport’s Ross Tyson takes a closer look.

Chris Coleman insists Gareth Bale will be back in a Wales shirt when the serious business of the Euro 2016 finals starts this summer. The Wales manager also says Bale’s commitment to Wales should not be doubted despite the Real Madrid forward missing pre-tournament friendlies against Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

Geraint Thomas has been warned he would be crazy to leave Team Sky to chase his dream of a Tour de France victory. The Welshman underlined his credentials as a future Grand Tour contender with his triumph in the prestigious Paris-Nice race.

Taulupe Faletau has pinpointed the threat of Italy’s Sergio Parisse to Wales and suggested the No.8 is the nearest thing to a one-man international team. “He is Italy,” says Faletau about the man who will oppose him at the base of the opposition scrum at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin has revealed he was close to getting the Italian national job two years ago after being linked with it once more. Reports in Italy have claimed Guidolin is a contender to replace Antonio Conte, who is stepping down from the role after the Euro 2016 finals this summer.

Wales have been mocked by England coach Eddie Jones over the Joe Marler affair. The Australian suggested Wales have contradicted themselves in the fall-out from the “gypsy boy” insult aimed at Samson Lee.

Wales goalkeeper Ria Male has called time on an international hockey career that spanned two decades. The Aberdare-born Male starred for Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games after an incredible comeback from injury.

Francesco Guidolin will return to the Swansea dug-out for Saturday’s crunch clash with Aston Villa after missing the last three games. The Italian, 60, took training Wednesday for the first time since suffering a health scare last month just as he emerged as a surprise contender to take over his national side.

England prop Joe Marler has escaped punishment on two fronts after his blow aimed at Wales’ Rob Evans and “gypsy boy” taunting of Samson Lee. Marler was expected to be ruled out of the Grand Slam game against France on Saturday, on one or both fronts – but has been cleared by the Six Nations and is free to play.

Wales U20 head coach Jason Strange has told his players they must not allow Grand Slam nerves to affect their big night. The unbeaten side will clinch a first Six Nations Grand Slam on Friday evening if they beat Italy at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay.

Cardiff will host next summer’s Women’s EuroHockey Championship Division II tournament. The decision by the European Hockey Federation (EHF) is another huge boost to Hockey Wales, which last hosted a EuroHockey tournament in 20009.

Wales Women’s head coach Rhys Edwards has made four changes and two positional switches for Sunday’s Six Nations finale against Italy at the Talbot Athletic Ground (KO 2pm). Adi Taviner and Kerin Lake replace Dyddgu Hywel and Elinor Snowsill in the backs while Amy Evans and Siwan Lillicrap come in for Catrin Edwards and Rebecca Rowe in the forwards. There could be one further change with Edwards giving Sioned Harries more time to recover from illness after the No8 missed the clash against England.

Warren Gatland has issued an apology for using the word “banter” to describe the “gypsy boy” remark aimed at Wales prop Samson Lee. In a statement from the Welsh Rugby Union, Gatland declares he does not condone racism of any kind and gives an explanation of his actions.

Geraint Thomas will be back on his bike on Sunday for Team Sky’s crack at the prestigious Milan-San Remo race on Saturday. Thomas will be joined by fellow Welsh rider Luke Rowe in the squad just days after pulling off the biggest win of his road race career.

Cardiff City have been nominated for a top award for the club’s work in the community. The Bluebirds are in the running for the ‘Johnstone’s Paint Community Club of the Year’ award for 2015.