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Warren Gatland has been told he needs to start winning but has been backed to stay in his job by the Welsh Rugby Union. Gatland’s Six Nations flops face Australia next week in the first of two summer Tests that could prove critical to his survival chances. The New Zealander is on the ropes after seven straight defeats and that will become nine – equaling his worse sequence in 26 years of coaching – if Wales lose both games to the Wallabies.

Wales coach Ioan Cunningham believes his team deserved their double reward after “keeping their foot on the throat of Spain.” Cunningham watched as Carys Cox helped herself to a hat-trick of tries as Wales comfortably qualified for the Rugby World Cup in England next year and ensured they will be heading to Cape Town to compete in Tier 2 of the WXV tournament later in the year. That good news that came out of a hard-fought 52-20 win over Spain at Cardiff Arms Park.

Jeremiah Azu is ready to 'get his head down' and target Paris after booking his ticket to the Olympic Games.

Geraint Thomas knows his 13th Tour de France which starts in Florence could be his last - but he is looking to bow out with a bang.

So, the group games of the Wales-less Euros are over and we are now moving into the knockout stages. How was it for you? With Rob Page having been shown the door – just two friendly matches on from the FAW offering him a comfy chair for the next World Cup qualification campaign – there is plenty to focus on in terms of who should be his successor.

Wales entertain Spain at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday with two tournaments at stake. Following regional qualifying, the identity of the 18 teams that will compete in the second edition of the fledgling WXV competition this September and October is already known.

Missed out on a ticket to the Glastonbury Festival this year? Fear not, as you can head to Glast-On-Dee instead on Friday to mix live music with a seven-race Jumps card at the track. That’s right. Bangor-On-Dee Racecourse hosts its latest card on Friday afternoon and evening, with live music before and after the card off the track.

Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson says the club commitments of United States-based trio Jess Fishlock, Angharad James and Lily Woodham will disrupt her plans for the vital Euro 2025 qualifier in Croatia. The Seattle Reign trio are due to line up against Utah Royals in the NWSL on Sunday July 7, a contest which kicks off at 11pm BST.

Top five in the world . . . that’s the ambitious target the Welsh Rugby Union have set for the men’s and women’s teams in their shiny new strategic plan. Warren Gatland’s team - on the back of seven successive defeats - are currently 10th in the world rankings, while Ioan Cunningham’s side are eighth.