Wales head coach Warren Gatland has promised seven-times capped England prop Henry Thomas will “bring something different” to their preliminary World Cup training squad. Montpellier tighthead Thomas, who has played for Sale and Bath in the Gallagher Premiership, was capped by England between 2013 and 2014 and has served World Rugby’s stand down period of three years to represent another country.

Warren Gatland has warned that Wales’ top teams – including the national side – need to become more successful or else more players will follow Joe Hawkins out of Test rugby. The Wales coach believes the three regions and Wales all need to improve, otherwise young players like Hawkins could decide to put club before country.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has called on his players to use their semi-final defeat in the Challenge Cup as motivation to grow and improve for next season. The Llanelli region were beaten 35-17 by Glasgow Warriors at a packed Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Caryl Thomas bid farewell to rugby following her side’s 36-10 win against Italy in the final round of the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations. Thomas re-joined her team just two weeks after her wife gave birth to their daughter and helped secure Wales’ best place finish in the Championship in 14 years.

Wales prop Wyn Jones has spoken of his admiration for Dwayne Peel in guiding the Scarlets to the threshold of a European final. Jones – who will pack down in the front row when Glasgow visit Parc y Scarlets on Saturday – admits he can’t quite believe how his head coach has dealt with so many obstacles in a campaign like no other.

The sun in Parma may have made everyone feel good in the Wales camp, but the only thing the players want this weekend is the result that will keep them in third place in the TikTok Six Nations. A third win in the championship is the goal that has been set for Hannah Jones’ side and after Italy were turned over in Scotland last weekend it is a result that appears to be within range.

The season could well end for the Welsh regions on Saturday, if the Scarlets are unable to beat Glasgow in their European Challenge Cup semi-final. For many, there would be a sigh of relief. But within the trauma and turmoil, Daniel Parker claims there can be some reason for optimism – youth will have its fling.

Cardiff hooker Kristian Dacey has announced his retirement at the age of 33. Dacey made over 200 appearances for Cardiff after joining them from Pontypridd in 2010 and won eight caps for Wales between 2015 and 2017. He was also called up as cover for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017.

Wales international Dafydd Jenkins will miss Exeter’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against La Rochelle after receiving a three-week ban. The second-row forward, who has won six caps, was sent off for a dangerous tackle during Chiefs’ Gallagher Premiership victory over Bristol.

It has been a busy time for Wales No 8 Sioned Harries, but there was one thing she wasn’t going to miss in her heavy rugby schedule – being at Principality Stadium for the National Girls U12 final at ‘Road to Principality 2023’.

Thomas Young took a starring role in the absence of his dad as Cardiff beat the Ospreys 38-21 to clinch the Welsh Shield and Heineken Champions Cup qualification in their final URC game. Director of Rugby Dai Young wasn’t at the Principality Stadium for the Judgement Day showdown having been suspended by the region ahead of the game.

Two second half tries gave Hannah Jones’ Welsh side something positive to cling to at the end of their 39-14 defeat to France in the fourth round of matches in the TikTok Six Nations in Grenoble.

Cardiff Demons will make history when they host Wigan Warriors at Cardiff University Sports Fields on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) in what will be the first ever Betfred Women’s Rugby League Challenge Cup match to feature a Welsh side.

Keiran Williams has admitted it could be an emotional Judgement Day for the Ospreys on Saturday as he and his teammates brace themselves for a number of departures. The centre will go up against fellow new Wales squad colleague Mason Grady as the Ospreys attempt to beat Cardiff with a bonus point to pip their great rivals to the Welsh Shield and a place in the Heineken Champions Cup next season.

Cardiff have offered no explanation to their supporters over what has happened to their director of rugby, Dai Young. The Arms Park region have confirmed that Young will not attend Saturday’s “Judgement Day” fixture against Ospreys at the Principality Stadium but declined to comment on reports the 55-year-old has been suspended.

Cardiff versus Newport is not just one of the world’s greatest rugby fixtures – it’s also responsible for one of the greatest quotes. The two clubs meet at the Principality Stadium on Sunday in the WRU National Premiership Cup Final, the final game in the triple header that makes up National Men’s Cup Finals day.

Wales and Cardiff flanker Josh Navidi has been forced to announce his immediate retirement from rugby union because of a serious neck problem. Navidi sustained the injury while making his 33rd appearance for Wales in their third Test against South Africa in Cape Town last July.

Wales Women’s head coach Thomas Brindle has named a 37-player train-on squad for the 2025 World Cup qualifying campaign that takes place between September 2023 and May 2024.

After what Steff Hughes has been through, he now appreciates life as a professional rugby player more than ever. Last summer, he was out of work and facing a very uncertain future having been released by the Scarlets following a decade at the region. He was training on his own and wondering what lay ahead.

Ioan Lloyd believes his move to the Scarlets from Bristol can take him to the next level as an attacking talent. The 22-year-old, who has played across the back division during his four-year stint at Ashton Gate, will move to west Wales ahead of next season.