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Ospreys In France With A Mission To Shape Their European Destiny
The Ospreys have already planted a Welsh flag in the knockout stages of European rugby, but what matters now are the chances of it still fluttering by the quarter-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Swansea-based region reached the last eight a year ago and have secured a place in this season’s final 16. But to earn a home draw in that first knockout stage, they could do with picking up a third win when they visit Pau in their final pool stage match on Saturday.
Calum Chambers Ready To Rule The Middle Ground For Cardiff City Against Swansea
Calum Chambers is loving turning back the clock and reinventing himself as a midfield player. The former Arsenal and England centre back star has rekindled his dream to make the grade as a midfielder at Cardiff City this season and is still frustrated he didn’t get a crack at his favoured role at The Emirates after returning from a successful loan season at Fulham. He has been moved up the pitch by Bluebirds boss Omer Riza since Christmas and since then his relegation-threatened side haven’t lost.
The Fighting Spirit Still Burning In Port Talbot . . . Thanks To The Aberavon Fighting Irish
"Ability without opportunity, is nothing," Napoleon Bonaparte once said. That has been adopted as the motto of the Aberavon Fighting Irish amateur rugby league club. And there are few places where the statement is more poignant.
Cardiff City’s Omer Riza And Swansea’s Liam Cullen Have Their Derby Day Faces On
Omer Riza was not in charge of Cardiff City for the last South Wales derby, but he insists he knows all about the rivalry with Swansea City. Riza actually held the Bluebirds’ post-match press conference back in August after the 1-1 draw at the Swansea.com Stadium. But that was only because the then assistant manager’s own boss, Erol Bulut, was sent off after a push-and-shove contest with some of the Swans’ players over a ball that had gone out of play.
Richard Whiffin Makes Big Changes For Next Wales U20 Clash
Richard Whiffin has made 10 changes to his Wales U20 starting line-up for their second clash with the Reginal Academies XV at Llandovery’s Church Bank ground on Friday 17 January (kick-off 7.30pm). Bristol Bears wing Aidan Boshoff, Bath prop Ioan Emanuel, Bristol Bears lock Kenzie Jenkins, Bath back five man Arthur Moore (Bath) and Dragons No 8 Evan Minto are the only survivors from the side that won the first game 42-21 at the Arms Park last week. Drafted in for round two, and hoping to make an impact ahead of the U20 Six Nations opener against France in Vannes on Saturday 1 February are Ospreys full back Lewis Edwards and wing Ieuan Cornelius, Sale Sharks centre Osian Roberts and scrum half Carwyn Edwards, Scarlets centre Elis Price and hooker Harry Thomas, and Dragons forward duo Nick Thomas and Ryan Jones.
There was something missing when Warren Gatland this week named his Wales squad for the upcoming Six Nations. Not the missing players, such as Gareth Anscombe, Rio Dyer, Cam Winnett and Max Llewellyn who many, clearly, expected to be included. Or even those absent through injury, such as Dewi Lake, Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Sam Costelow and Mason Grady.
Cardiff City Boss Omer Riza And The Strange Case Of The Missing Eight Points
Omer Riza believes his Cardiff City team have thrown away eight points in their battle to avoid relegation – even though they have climbed out of the drop zone. Riza bemoaned the Bluebirds’ inability to hold onto a lead as they conceded in the 87th minute at home to Watford on Tuesday night. The goal turned what would have been a 1-0 victory – and three priceless points – into a 1-1 draw. It was enough to nudge Riza’s men out of the relgation zone, but does not give them the three-point cushion they would have enjoyed.
Gareth Anscombe Left Out By Wales After Doubts Over Full Fitness, Says Warren Gatland
Gareth Anscombe has been left out of Wales’ Six Nations squad because Warren Gatland has doubts over his kicking. The Wales coach recalled Anscombe for the autumn series after the Gloucester outside-half battled back to fitness.
After suggesting the 33-year-old had been overlooked for the current squad die to his age, and uncertainty over whether he would still be around for the next World Cup, Gatland then went further in explaining Anscombe’s absence.
Warren Gatland Looks To Wales New Boys For Six Nations Boost
Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards and Scarlets wing Ellis Mee are the two uncapped players to have been named in coach Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the Six Nations. Gatland has also included hooker Sam Parry - who walked out of a national camp last year after feeling disrespected by the Wales coach - along with a number of players who have recovered from recent injuries.
Cardiff City Earn Trip To Stoke As Last Welsh Team Standing In FA Cup
Cardiff City’s reward for beating Sheffield United is another away trip for the fourth round of the FA Cup - to Stoke City. The Bluebirds - the only Welsh club left in the tournament after Swansea City lost 3-0 at Southampton - overcame Championship high-fliers Sheffield United last Thursday night and then had to wait until Sunday evening to learn of their opponents in the next round.
John Hartson
Wales Gamble, But Bellers May Chime With The Times
In his brutally frank autobiography, “Goodfella”, written a decade ago towards the end of his playing career, Craig Bellamy gives a blunt account of his first impressions when he initially broke into the senior national squad. “When I first started playing for Wales, it often felt as if I had... Read More
John Hartson Insists Next Generation Of Wales Kids Can Match The Impact Of Gareth Bale And Aaron Ramsey
With Wales set to face Finland in the Nations League opener on Thursday, former striker John Hartson tells Steffan Thomas how the exciting current crop of youngsters can exceed the achievements of those who have gone before them.
John Hartson insists Wales have a golden generation of youngsters to rival the... Read More
Martyrs Snap Up John Hartson For Big Night
Merthyr Town have signed former Wales, Celtic and Arsenal striker John Hartson - for one night only.
The Martyrs are hosting an evening with Hartson at their MetCoaches Stadium at the end of October, although the exact date is yet top be confirmed.
Merthyr have also invited former club players Kevin Rodgers,... Read More
Forget Daniel James And Harry Wilson . . . Gareth Bale Is Still Wales' Main Man, Says BJH (Big John Hartson)
Gareth Bale remains the key man to Wales’ European Championships hopes, according to John Hartson. Former Celtic, Arsenal and Wales striker Hartson insists Wales are still heavily reliant on their ‘main man’ - despite his troubled recent few months in Spain. The 29-year-old Real Madrid star was criticised by some... Read More
Ashley Williams Tipped To Keep Wales Armband. . . Despite Everton Woes
Ashley Williams’ dip in form for Everton this season does not pose a problem for Wales, according to former Wales striker John Hartson. Williams has come in for some fierce flak from Toffees supporters after a series of under-par performances, which culminated in a red card aginst Burnley last Saturday... Read More
Chris Coleman Keeps Job Option Open Despite World Cup Shortfall
Chris Coleman will reflect on Wales’ failure to make the World Cup finals before he makes a decision on his own future. The manager who guided Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 last year has come to the end of his current contract with the FAW. Coleman has previously... Read More
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