Scarlets centre Johnny Williams has praised Sam Costelow for his “nerves of steel” as they look ahead to a European semi-final. Williams was a tryscorer as the Scarlets came from behind late on to beat Clermont Auvergne, 32-30, on Friday night to secure a home Challenge Cup semi-final against Glasgow. Costelow’s conversion of Ryan Conbeer’s corner try three minutes from time gave the home fans a famous European night at Parc Y Scarlets over opponents who had been reduced to 14 men.

Ross Moriarty has said he had to quit Welsh rugby to secure financial security for his family. The Wales back row forward has left the Dragons with immediate effect and joined Brive after rejecting a reduced contract offer from the Newport-based region. He follows fellow Welsh internationals Will Rowlands, Jarrod Evans and Joe Hawkins in opting to play elsewhere next season as the effect of reduced wages in Wales starts to thin playing resou

The Scarlets will have history, form – and maybe even referee Wayne Barnes – in their favour when they host Clermont Auvergne on Friday, according to the French club’s head coach Christophe Urios. Clermont may have won away at Bristol in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup, but Urios reckons his team’s quarter-final tie at Parc y Scarlets will be much tougher. The match referee is Barnes, the Englishman who is widely regarded as the world’s best, but not an official Urios reckons his team really understand. “Once again, we will not be favorites,” said Urios, looking ahead to a match that is live on S4C.

Wales will face England in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations in front of a record sell-out home crowd at Cardiff Arms Park next week. More than 8,000 tickets have been sold for the game between the top two sides in this year’s championship at Cardiff Arms Park on April 15. Both sides are unbeaten following the opening two rounds of the Six Nations.

Tony Brown, one of the greatest benefactors Welsh rugby has seen, had died at the age of 86. The owner and chairman of Bisley Office Furniture, his business acumen, vision and considerable financial backing for Newport RFC and then the Dragons allowed rugby fans in Gwent to experience some fantastic times, including winning the WRU Challenge Cup in 2001.

Dafydd James, the former Wales and Lions wing, has revealed he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. James, who is now 47-years-old, played for the Scarlets, Bridgend, and Pontypridd before his career ended in 2009 after fracturing a vertebra in his neck.

Joe Hawkins has explained why he chose to end his Wales career so soon after it had begun. The 20-year-old Ospreys centre – one of the discoveries of a disappointing 12 months for Wales – has agreed to join Exeter this summer. It means he will no longer be eligible for Wales unless the Welsh Rugby Union tear up their policy of only selecting players outside of Wales who have won at least 25 caps.

Pontypool earned the right to face Ystrad Rhondda in the final of the WRU Championship Cup at Principality Stadium on Sunday, 23 April thanks to a 26-9 semi-final win over Neath. It was the third time this season Pooler had managed too overcome their closest rivals for the Admiral Championship title, but they didn’t get things their own way throughout a classic cup tie.

Who said 13 was an unlucky number? Try telling that to the proud players of Pontyclun Falcons, who finally won a major cup final at the 13th attempt as they beat Llandaff North to life the WRU National Cup in a thrilling game at Principality Stadium. The long wait to finally lift a trophy was ended by Kierra Deeks and her tenacious team as they knocked arch-rivals completely out of their stride to convert a 15-0 half-time lead into a sensational 20-7 victory in the end

On an emotional Saturday night at Cardiff Arms Park, Josh Adams scored twice to steer the home side, 28-27, into the quarter-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup and pay the perfect tribute to the club’s former chairman and benefactor Peter Thomas. A huge crowd joined the current team, former players and members of Thomas’ family on the pitch for a minute’s silence followed by a minute of applause to remember the man who kept the region alive through his support.

Wales are gunning for England after Sisilia Tuipulotu inspired them to move to the top of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations table. Teenager Tuipulotu bagged her second consecutive player of the match performance with two tries after Wales secured a 22-34 victory against Scotland at the DAM Health Stadium. But her fellow prop Gwenllian Pyrs wasn’t to be outdone as she claimed a brace as well to set up a fine victory away from home.

Cardiff’s two Joshes – Adams and Turnbull – are twinned in their shared determination to lift some of the dark clouds over the Arms Park this weekend. A last 16 meeting at home to Sale Sharks on Saturday evening has taken on added significance, beyond simply trying to make the quarter-finals in a tasty-looking Anglo-Welsh clash.

The stage is set for 10 days of non-stop action as clubs and players from all over Wales descend on the home of Welsh rugby for the ‘Road to Principality 2023’ rugby jamboree. Last year saw record breaking numbers in almost every category as the fans flocked to watch the rising stars of the game, as well as established senior players representing clubs from across all divisions chase titles and lifelong memories of playing at the Principality Stadium.

Ashton Hewitt has had plenty of people tell him he should just stick to rugby and not express his opinions on anything else. But the Dragons RFC winger is not about to be silenced. Hewitt has come in for some horrendous abuse on social media over his efforts to combat racism and inequality. He admits it shocked him and got him down, but he is determined to keep on doing what he can to try and make a difference.

Steff Evans is the joint leading tryscorer in European rugby this season, has 13 caps for Wales, and is still only 28 – but expects no calls from Warren Gatland. The wing – whose finishing skills helped see off a star-studded Sharks team last week in arguably the best regional result of the season – reckons he won’t be required any more at Test level. It’s a harsh self-judgement, but Evans insists: “That boat has probably sailed for me.

Sioned Harries’ first trip to Scotland for the Six Nations was 12 years ago in her first year in the Wales Women’s team. That was a different world, with the women’s teams from all the nations playing as amateurs and second-class citizens. Not anymore!

Toby Booth believes his Ospreys side will face the best team in England “by some distance” when they tackle Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 opponents Saracens on Sunday. While the Ospreys contest their first top-flight European knockout game for 12 years, Saracens are on familiar territory.

Tributes have been paid throughout Welsh rugby after the death of Peter Thomas, the former Cardiff chairman. A hugely influential figure within the sport, the 79-year-old passed away on Wednesday, three years after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Welsh rugby found a rare show of unity to commit to change at the weekend, avoiding a cliff-edge moment that would have threatened the game’s immediate financial future. On Sunday, member clubs of the Welsh Rugby Union overwhelming supported significant plans for governance change at an EGM in Port Talbot.

Dwayne Peel believes the Scarlets rolled back the years with their stunning victory over the Sharks but insisted the standards set has to be the blueprint for the future. Peel watched his team overcome a Sharks squad that included 10 Springboks in a 32-20 victory that was a throwback to the streetwise muggings handed out to star-studded visitors to Llanelli in years gone by. Sam Costelow kicked 22 points, including six penalties and converted two tries by Steff Evans as the Scarlets maintained their outside chances of Heineken Cup qualification.