Not enough time at night to sit down and read the WRU’s latest accounts and annual report from cover to cover? No, we thought not. But don’t worry because Geraint Powell has and here are his half dozen headlines. Having reviewed the latest annual report from the Welsh Rugby Union (http://www.wru.co.uk/downloads/WRU_ARA_2017_1o.pdf), these six main themes can be appreciated from the underlying 2016-17 financial and other information. For those who have not yet read it, particularly Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers at the constituent member clubs of the WRU, I would, as with every other year, always recommend starting with the Strategic Report prepared by Finance Director Steve Phillips (pages 14-21) before reading the statements by Chief Executive Martyn Phillips, Chairman Gareth Davies, Head of Rugby Performance Geraint John and Head of Rugby Participation Ryan Jones.  

Cardiff Blues are looking for a new head coach for next season after confirming Danny Wilson is to leave at the end of the current campaign. The region informed their playing squad on Tuesday of Wilson’s decision not to take his spell at the Arms Park into a fourth season. That move was underlined with a statement on Wednesday morning, which insisted that the former Scarlets forwards coach would carry on at the helm for the remainder of the campaign.

Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins was awarded the Stuart Gallacher memorial ‘Man-of-Judgement’ trophy by the Welsh Rugby Writers Association (WRWA) at its annual dinner on Wednesday night. Jenkins is the second winner of the award following British & Irish Lions, Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb, who picked it up in September 2016. This year’s WRWA Player of the Year award – also presented at the Cardiff Arms Park event – went to Justin Tipuric after his efforts for the Ospreys, Wales and the Lions

Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins was awarded the Stuart Gallacher memorial ‘Man-of-Judgement’ trophy by the Welsh Rugby Writers Association (WRWA) at its annual dinner on Wednesday night. Jenkins is the second winner of the award following British & Irish Lions, Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb, who picked it up in September 2016. This year’s WRWA Player of the Year award – also presented at the Cardiff Arms Park event – went to Justin Tipuric after his efforts for the Ospreys, Wales and the Lions

Sam Warburton is to have an operation on his neck which looks likely to rule him out of most of this season. The British and Irish Lions captain has been suffering from a neck injury for a while, but the Cardiff Blues have revealed the problem was made worse during training this week and now Warburton is to undergo surgery.

Cardiff Blues assistant coach Matt Sherratt has claimed they should be “proud” of all but the last 11 minutes of their 37-9 hammering at Leinster. The Blues conceded three tries in those final stages in Dublin on Friday night, but in a remarkably upbeat assessment of their display, Danny Wilson’s right-hand man has insisted they should puff out their chests at the fact they were only losing 16-9 before the wheels came off.

Cardiff Blues assistant coach Matt Sherratt has claimed they should be “proud” of all but the last 11 minutes of their 37-9 hammering at Leinster. The Blues conceded three tries in those final stages in Dublin on Friday night, but in a remarkably upbeat assessment of their display, Danny Wilson’s right-hand man has insisted they should puff out their chests at the fact they were only losing 16-9 before the wheels came off.

Danny Wilson and his Cardiff Blues have been given a flattering introduction by Leinster, who hope to give them a battering in Dublin on Friday night. The Blues were left numb after their Guinness Pro 14 opening 20-10 home defeat to Edinburgh last week, which prompted head coach Wilson to wield the axe and make six changes. Only Friday, Wilson also agreed to send former Wales prop Scott Andrews out on loan to Bath for the next month.

Dan Biggar’s confirmed departure for Northampton next season underlines turbulent times at the Ospreys, says Robin Davey. But the Cardiff Blues and the Dragons have plenty to concern themselves with, too, and only the Scarlets can be happy with the way they started the season. The Scarlets lit up the start of the new Guinness Pro14 on a disappointing weekend for the Welsh regions, made more so by the subsequent confirmation that Dan Biggar is to leave the Ospreys. Biggar will move to Northampton at the end of this season, the Saints excitedly announced on Wednesday afternoon, almost a full 12 months before he will be pulling on their jersey.

Dan Biggar’s confirmed departure for Northampton next season underlines turbulent times at the Ospreys, says Robin Davey. But the Cardiff Blues and the Dragons have plenty to concern themselves with, too, and only the Scarlets can be happy with the way they started the season. The Scarlets lit up the start of the new Guinness Pro14 on a disappointing weekend for the Welsh regions, made more so by the subsequent confirmation that Dan Biggar is to leave the Ospreys. Biggar will move to Northampton at the end of this season, the Saints excitedly announced on Wednesday afternoon, almost a full 12 months before he will be pulling on their jersey.

The Guinness Pro 14 kicked off on Friday night – and then spread into Saturday, when every other oval and round ball game was providing an alternative. Geraint Powell says it doesn’t have to be like this. The question of the optimal kick-off time in which to play Welsh regional rugby has once again been brought into stark focus on this opening weekend of the new Guinness Pro 14 season. Obviously, official attendances have to be taken with a pinch of salt. As many will already know, the market practice is to use a “tickets out” basis and this will include all free tickets handed out to corporate sponsors and all season ticket holders – whether in actual attendance or not. Some were querying the wisdom of all four Welsh regions playing at home on the opening

The Guinness Pro 14 kicked off on Friday night – and then spread into Saturday, when every other oval and round ball game was providing an alternative. Geraint Powell says it doesn’t have to be like this. The question of the optimal kick-off time in which to play Welsh regional rugby has once again been brought into stark focus on this opening weekend of the new Guinness Pro 14 season. Obviously, official attendances have to be taken with a pinch of salt. As many will already know, the market practice is to use a “tickets out” basis and this will include all free tickets handed out to corporate sponsors and all season ticket holders – whether in actual attendance or not. Some were querying the wisdom of all four Welsh regions playing at home on the opening