Geraint Thomas emerged from a day hit by rain and snow with his hopes of victory in the Race to the Sun intact. The Cardiff-born racer moved up two places overall to fifth after claiming a bonus second on the opening stage to Vendome.

Rob Howley expects to Gareth Davies to respond to the challenge of fit again scrum-half rival Rhys Webb. Wales backs coach Howley insists there will be no friction between the inheritors to his old No.9 shirt now that Webb is back in the squad.

Rhys Webb could be in line for a dramatic Wales recall to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. The Ospreys scrum-half was today recalled into Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad after just three comeback matches for his region.

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy has admitted the region will not make the Pro12 play-offs this season and the best they can hope for is a top six finish and European Champions Cup qualification. A narrow 19-16 defeat away at Leinster at the weekend means the four-times winners of the tournament are now 12 points adrift of fourth sport, currently occupied by Ulster, with just five matches left.

Liam Williams wanted to be Freddie Flintoff or Roger Freestone when he was young – but he will settle for being namesake JPR Williams this weekend. The current Wales full-back has often been likened to the legendary sideburned figure of the seventies. It is less for his hallmark achievements – JPR played 11 times against England and never lost – but more for his eye-catching physical courage.

Geraint Thomas made a strong start to his Paris-Nice victory bid as he eked out vital seconds over his main rivals in the opening prologue on Sunday. The Cardiff-born flier finished seventh fastest after clocking seven minutes 46 seconds on the short 3.6mile blast that started the eight day race.

Chairman Huw Jenkins has revealed he plans to hold a summer view of Swansea City’s disappointing season. The Swans took a massive step towards securing their Premier League survival with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich which left them nine points clear of the relegation zone

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade reckons his team are gaining a ruthless edge after they moved to within touching distance of the Championship play-off places. Goals from Lex Immers and Stuart O’Keefe gave the Bluebirds a decisive 2-0 victory away to Bristol City and the bragging rights in the Severnside derby.

Alan Curtis continues to breathe further life into Swansea City’s slow climb up the Premier League table. The club’s assistant coach – in charge while Francesco Guidolin is in hospital with a lung infection – masterminded a vital 1-0 victory at home to Norwich City.

Francesco Guidolin will remain in hospital this weekend as Swansea City continue under the care of assistant coach Alan Curtis. The club confirmed that their 60-year-old Italian boss is still in London undergoing tests on the lung infection that forced him to miss the midweek victory at Arsenal.

John Barclay will put the Scarlets ahead of Test rugby, despite his recall for Scotland. The 29-year-old flanker is enjoying an international resurgence in the current Six Nations, despite having been overlooked entirely for the World Cup.

Russell Slade admits he has been handed a selection dilemma after Cardiff City were given a triple boost for their promotion run-in. Peter Whittingham, Craig Noone and Sean Morrison are all in contention for Saturday’s Severnside derby at Bristol City.

Wales prop Aaron Jarvis is leaving the Ospreys for French giants Clermont Auvergne. The tight-head, who has won 16 caps, will move on at the end of the season and will become the latest current international to try his luck in the lucrative Top14.

Steve Shingler’s move from the Scarlets to the Cardiff Blues next season has been confirmed and he could be joined at the Arms Park by George Earle. Fly-half Shingler, 24, has been earmarked for the switch to the Blues since Rhys Patchell decided he would be travelling in the opposite direction.

Ashley Williams has warned his Swansea teammates they must retain the momentum from their victory over Arsenal if they are to avoid relegation. The Swansea City captain epitomised the defiant nature of the club’s gutsy 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night with a typically influential display.

Owain Doull’s hopes of striking gold at the World Championships were dashed after a thrilling men’s team pursuit battle in London. The Cardiff flier took silver along with Sir Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy and Jon Dibben as Australia won on the Olympic Velodrome.

Becky James roared to a brilliant bronze medal at the World Championships in London. The Abergavenny cyclist put two years of injury and illness hell behind her to finish third in the keirin at the Olympic velodrome.

Geraint Thomas will spearhead Team Sky’s challenge at the Paris-Nice race which starts on Saturday. The Cardiff racer will be looking for back-to-back wins following his victory in the Volta ao Algarve last month.

Gareth Bale could miss both of Wales’ two Euro2016 warm-up games this month says manager Chris Coleman. The Real Madrid ace has been sidelined for six weeks with a calf injury but is back training with the Spanish giants.

Francesco Guidolin is being kept in hospital with no release date yet set for the Swansea City manager. The 60-year-old Italian missed Wednesday’s massive win at Arsenal after being admitted with a chest infection.