By Tom Prosser Wales stars Wayne Hennessey and Gareth Bale have been team-mates for nearly 15 years and with the Real Madrid star set to win his 100th cap on Saturday, Hennessey has revealed his favourite Bale memory. “I’ve known Gareth for a long time and he’s just a pure gentleman,” said 34-year-old Hennessey. “I’ve seen him develop from a young boy to the highest limits you can obviously think of.

By Paul Jones Gareth Bale is “raring to go” and on course to win his 100th cap for Wales after being named in Robert Page’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Belgium. Bale has been out since 8 September after sustaining what was described by Page as a “significant hamstring tear”. But the Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, says the forward may be involved in the La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and Page has named the 32-year-old in a 28-man squad for Wales’s vital double-header.

Christ Tshiunza may only have an hour of Premiership rugby under his belt, but the Welsh teenager could find himself playing against the world champion Springboks next month. The 19-year-old Exeter University student was the surprise package announced in Wayne Pivac’s Welsh squad for the four autumn internationals against the All Blacks, Springboks, Fiji and Australia. Born into a ‘French Christian family’ in the DR Congo, the 6ft 6in tall, 17st 7lbs giant came to the UK with his family when he was six.

Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Wales’ World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia with a “significant hamstring tear” – and may even struggle to make the November matches. Skipper Bale has not played since Wales’ goalless draw against Estonia on September 8 after being injured on his return to Real Madrid. The 32-year-old was due to win his 100th cap against the Czechs and his absence for October’s double-header deals a serious blow to Wales’ qualification hopes for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

By Tom Prosser Gareth Bale has reportedly suffered a long-term hamstring injury which would comes as a crushing blow to both Wales and Bale who was set to win his 100th cap against the Czech Republic next month. According to Marca, the severity of the damage which the Welshman suffered was confirmed after undergoing tests in recent days. Robert Page’s men will be hoping that his injury is not as serious as first thought as Bale will have a key role to play if Wales are to qualify for their first World Cup since 1958.

There was no Bale-out this time for Wales, but the captain still insists believes World Cup qualification is achievable even though front door entry to the tournament now looks highly unlikely. After being held at home, 0-0, by Estonia on Wednesday – an outcome Gareth Bale himself had flagged up as a possibility if his team were not spot on – Wales lost ground in the race for automatic qualification as Group E leaders Belgium were beating Belarus 1-0 in Kazan. Belgium are now nine points clear of Wales, who have two games in hand and are more likely involved in a battle for second place with the Czech Republic.

Gareth Bale has warned his Wales teammates not to risk their World Cup qualification bid by taking Estonia lightly on Wednesday night. The Wales captain insists his team are focused on upsetting Belgium and winning their qualifying group. Belgium, the world’s number one ranked team, lead the way in Group E with 13 points from five games and have so far scored 20 goals in qualification.

By Paul Jones  Former Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez claimed his Belgium side did everything expected of them as they opened up a six-point lead – and moved seven clear of Wales – at the top of World Cup qualifying Group E.  Romelu Lukaku marked his 100th international with an early goal which sparked a 3-0 win against the Czech Republic in Brussels.  The victory moved the Belgians on to 13 points from five games, six points clear of the Czech Republic, who have played the same number of matches, and seven clear of Wales who have two games in hand. 

Gareth Bale praised Wales for overcoming a stack of awkward hurdles on their way to a vital 3-2 comeback victory in their World Cup qualification tie against Belarus. Bale ended his two-year Wales scoring drought as his hat-trick secured a thrilling win in Kazan. The Real Madrid star had not added to his record 33 goals since scoring against Croatia in October 2019 – a run of 16 games. He’s now been involved in all five of Wales’ goals in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup (three goals, two assists).

Gareth Bale insists he will play for Wales and Real Madrid until next summer – and that any further in the future is not worth discussing. Bale spent the end of last season and Wales’ Euro 2020 campaign refusing to go into detail on both his club future and suggestions he was poised to quit international football. But on the eve of a crucial World Cup qualifier with Belarus, the 32-year-old put his cards on the table.

Gareth Bale has answered questions over his future with Wales by the strength of his comeback at Real Madrid, says Robert Page. Bale will lead Wales into World Cup action, charged by the “positive impact” on his Real return, according to his national manager. The striker was the subject of fierce retirement rumours ahead of Euro 2020 this summer but said after Wales’ round-of-16 defeat to Denmark that he would never end his international career as long as he is playing football.

By Tom Prosser Welsh swimmer Kieran Bird will begin his Olympic dream in Tokyo this weekend and is looking to take inspiration from his footballing idols Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. The football-mad swimmer warmed up for his men’s 400m freestyle heats on Saturday by re-running in his head highlights of Wales’ dynamic duo and their impact at Euro 2020.