Ryan Jones has launched a new Welsh rugby plan to get more girls playing the sport. The former Wales captain – who was appointed as the Welsh Rugby Union’s head of participation earlier this month – is heading a scheme aimed create more teams who would offer rugby in the summer.

Warren Gatland has dropped Justin Tipuric and Tom James from the Wales team to play France on Friday and claimed it is a horses for courses selection. Tipuric has been put back on the bench with Dan Lydiate coming into the team at blindside flanker and captain Sam Warburton switching back to his regular No.7 slot in place of Tipuric.

Chaz Davies showed no ill effects from a spectacular crash as he roared back into World Superbikes action in Australia. The Powys flier finished the final day of pre-season testing in ninth place overall at the Phillip Island track near Melbourne.

World champion Lee Selby was named best boxer of the year at the inaugural British Boxing Board of Control Welsh Area Council Awards night. The IBF featherweight champion from Barry took the prize ahead of Welsh prospects at light-middleweight Liam Williams and super lightweight Chris Jenkins.

Peter Whittingham reckons Cardiff have sent out a message that their Championship rivals will fear in the play-offs run-in. The Bluebirds midfielder’s double helped City thrash a Brighton side that could have gone top on Saturday.

Newport Gwent Dragons have strengthened their back line for next season by signing Edinburgh’s Welsh-qualified centre Sam Beard. The 25-year-old New Zealander has made 40 appearances for the Scottish side in two-and-a-half seasons, with his last appearance in the 27-13 defeat to the Ospreys last Friday.

Chaz Davies escaped unhurt after a late crash on the opening day of the final pre-season test in World Superbikes in Australia. The Knighton-born rider suffered a spill on his Ducati at the final corner of the Phillip Island track near Melbourne.

Former Newport Gwent Dragons scrum-half Jonathan Evans is returning to Wales to join the Scarlets. Evans – who moved across the border last summer – has found opportunities limited at his current club Bath and has only made three appearances this season.

Geraint Thomas was crowned Volta ao Algarve champ for the second year in a row to give his season the perfect boost. The Cardiff-born racer claimed the leader’s yellow jersey by a convincing 19 seconds after finishing fifth on the final stage.

Sam Warburton has revealed he feels the captain’s armband will not protect him from being dropped by Wales. The Six Nations skipper is feeling vulnerable ahead of the match against France on Friday night, following a switch of position and the expectation that he finds his top form so soon after returning from injury.

Anthony Pilkington is aiming to rediscover the goalscoring instinct of his childhood to fire Cardiff City towards the Premier League. Pilkington scored one of the Bluebirds’ goals in their 4-1 Championship victory over Brighton on Saturday and was man-of-the-match as his side moved to within one place and four points of the play-off spots.

Geraint Thomas is set for a final stage title battle after surviving a puncture scare on the Volta ao Algarve. The Cardiff-born racer is second overall just three seconds behind Tony Martin as he bids to retain his crown.

Michael White apologised to his fans after crashing out of his Welsh Open quarter-final without winning a frame. The world number 17 from Neath lost 5-0 to Mark Allen as Welsh competitive interest in the tournament at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena came to an end.

South African international JJ Engelbrecht has begun talks to extend his stay with the Ospreys. The centre – who helped the Ospreys to a 27-13 victory over Edinburgh on Friday night – signed a short-term deal until the end of the season after arriving from Japanese club Toyota Industries Shuttles.

Geraint Thomas stayed in second spot on the Volta ao Algrave after a tough third stage time trial. The defending champ clocked the third best time over the 11.18mile race against the clock at Sagres.

Swansea City manager Francesco Guidolin has ruled out Jefferson Montero joining Middlesbrough on loan. The promotion-chasing Championship outfit were keen on the Ecuador flier who has fallen down the pecking order at the Liberty Stadium.

Conor Wilkinson has given Newport County’s survival hopes a boost by extending his loan deal for another month. The Bolton Wanderers striker has impressed during his initial month at Rodney Parade and has struck up a good partnership with Scott Boden.

Michael White is carrying the Welsh flag into the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. The 24-year-old from Neath pulled off a stunning 4-1 victory over defending champion John Higgins to become the only Welshman into the last eight.

Geraint Thomas is on course to defend his Volta ao Algarve title despite being edged into second place on the race’s first summit battle. The Cardiff-born racer was beaten by just one second by Astana’s Luis Leon Sanchez in the sprint at the top of Alto da Foia.

JACK CORK reckons Swansea can put a damper on Arsenal and Tottenham’s bid for Premier League glory and boost their survival hopes. The struggling Swans face Spurs on February 28 and will then stay in London for the game at the Emirates three days later.