Dai Sport

As if things were not tough enough for Wales on Friday night – French crowd, the return of Romain Ntamack, and, of course, the irresistible will of Antoine Dupont – comes news of a new opponent. Dupont – widely regarded as the best rugby player in the world, and by many as the best of all-time – is now fueled, not just by the Euros paid to him by Toulouse, but also by bitcoin.

Blue Monday is supposedly the saddest day of the year, but not if you are a Swansea City fan. For them it’s not just the third Monday each January - when Christmas bills hit the doormat and the weather is still grim - that brings on the gloom.

Warren Gatland insists Wales have some surprises up their sleeve – enough to thwart France when the Six Nations starts in Paris on Friday night. Without a Test victory in 14 months and on the back of a 12-match losing streak, Wales are enormous underdogs for their trip to the Stade de France.

Swansea City captain Matt Grimes is reportedly due to have a medical at Coventry City on Thursday, with a view to completing a move suggested to be worth £3m to £4m. The switch will be a huge blow to Swans supporters and further evidence the January transfer window is like kryptonite to the club every year – draining their strength and self-belief.

Taulupe Faletau is close to fitness, Wales coach Warren Gatland has insisted, even though the No.8 will not play against France on Friday night. Faletau had been earmarked for a dramatic comeback in the Six Nations opener in Paris, but a knee injury has denied Gatland of arguably his one proven world class forward. But Gatland has suggested Faletau - who has not played for Wales since the win over Georgia at the World Cup 16 months ago - could make his return against Italy in round two of the tournament.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson accused his team of lacking “fight and determination” in their 3-2 defeat at home to Stevenage. The hosts had gone 22 matches unbeaten on their own turf before this encounter, with their previous loss dating back to March against Tranmere.

Ben Thomas is in line to be handed the key role of Paris playmaker when Wales begin their Six Nations campaign against France on Friday night. The Cardiff star – whose regular club position is at centre – is poised to be named at outside-half for the tournament opener.

Adam Harcombe says taking up athletics helped him out of the dark he was lost in after sustaining life-changing injuries in a savage and unprovoked attack. The former Ystrad Rhondda rugby player suffered catastrophic brain injuries and was left unable to walk.

They may be queuing up to take his place, but Liam Williams has a message for all the Welsh full back wannabees – ‘I’m not ready to give up my shirt’. The 34-year-old Saracens star is on a mission to reach 100 caps for this country and to carry on being Warren Gatland’s No.1 bomb diffuser at the back. He missed the 2024 Six Nations while he was away playing in Japan but returned to tour Australia in the summer.

Cardiff City boss Omer Riza believes new loan signing Sivert Mannsverk will provoke a rise in standards among his squad. Norwegian midfielder Mannsverk, 22, has become Cardiff’s second capture of the January transfer window after moving from Ajax. The move is a chance for the Norway U21 international to gain some much-needed game time after an injury-plagued first half of the season.