Wales midfielder Jonny Williams has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 29. The Swindon player, who was a member of the Welsh squad at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, has earned 33 caps since his debut in 2013. His retirement comes after those of team-mates Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Chris Gunter in recent months.

Chris Gunter insists the future is still bright for Welsh international football – despite his decision to further underline how last year’s World Cup was the end of an era. Gunter became the third Wales player in recent weeks to announce his retirement from the international game following the departures of record goalscorer Gareth Bale and midfielder Joe Allen. The trio’s departure means the end of an era and the withdrawal of huge combined experience for manager Rob Page ahead of Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which starts later this month.

Gemma Grainger’s Wales team will face Portugal in a friendly on Tuesday 11 April (KO 17:30) in Guimarães. Portugal, who are ranked 22nd in the world rankings, booked their place in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last month after beating Cameroon in the intercontinental play-off final. The fixture will take place at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques and will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2018, when they played out a goalless draw in a friendly in Almada.

Wales defender Connor Roberts ensured Vincent Kompany is looking forward to an emotional return to Manchester City after Roberts’ goal put Championship leaders Burnley into the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time in 20 years. A few minutes after former Swansea City star Roberts had snatched a 1-0 win over Fleetwood at Turf Moor, the quarter-final draw handed Burnley a match-up against Kompany’s old boss Pep Guardiola and a club he captained to four Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

Wales internationals Lily Woodham and Cerys Hale both insist they have had positive experiences in their sports since coming out – but say more still needs to be done. Reading footballer Woodham and Gloucester-Hartpury rugby player Hale are both full-time, professional athletes who pull on a red shirt for their country and wear it with pride. But they also take pride in another sense – proud of who they are, their openness around their sexual orientation and the roles they can play in making their sports feel fully welcoming to all.

Wales manager Gemma Grainger insisted she was content with her team’s Pinatar Cup campaign as they finished the tournament in Spain with a 1-1 draw against Scotland. Sophie Howard’s well-executed diving header gave Pedro Martinez Losa’s Scotland team an early advantage, which they fully deserved for their efforts in south-east Spain. However, Wales managed to draw level against the run of play just before half-time, with Ceri Holland concluding an excellent attacking move.

Kayleigh Green’s first-half penalty secured Wales a winning start in the 2023 Pinatar Cup, as they overcame a disciplined Philippines side to win 1-0. Wales manager Gemm Grainger admitted her team had been severely tested and said: “We always want to win games and find out more about ourselves. “Today, being able to play against a team playing at the World Cup this summer, to test ourselves, it was a tough game, they sat in deep and made us work.

Gemma Evans is already one of the best defenders in the WSL and will become an increasing influence for Wales, according to her manager Gemma Grainger. The 26-year-old Reading player will reach the 50-cap landmark if she plays in two of three matches at the Pinatar Cup in Spain over the next week. Wales meets the Philippines on Wednesday and Evans is in line to win cap number 49. “It’s been fantastic to work with Gemma,” said Grainger.

By Paul Jones Warren Gatland has insisted he not pensioned off the Wales old guard and it was always the plan to shake-up his Six Nations selection. That view, however, may not be the one taken by many fans who will see Gatland’s team selection for the game against Scotland as a changing of the […]

Russell Martin has dismissed any notion of leaving Swansea City – despite a disastrous transfer window. The head coach admitted he had “never felt as low” last week during which he suggested the responsibility for the club failing to bring in a single new player in January – but letting six leave – lay with the American owners and not those working in Swansea. Martin discussed the club’s recruitment failings with their owners this week but says: “Ultimately, I think it’ll turn out to be a positive for the club.

  By Paul Jones Wales midfielder Joe Allen has announced his retirement from international football. Allen, one of Wales’ greatest-ever midfielders, said “time and injuries” had taken their toll as he called time on his 74-cap career. “Playing for Wales has been a great passion and love in my life, I have been extremely fortunate,” […]

Wales winger Sorba Thomas has swapped a relegation fight with Huddersfield for a promotion chase with Blackburn Rovers after being told he had fallen down the pecking order with the Terriers. Thomas – who went to the World Cup with Wales only two months ago – was told his chances were going to be limited at Huddersfield after they brought in some new additions. The club are languishing in the Championship relegation zone, three points adrift of Cardiff City who are in 21st place.