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Australia veteran Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of the Test series against Wales with a ruptured Achilles that needs surgery, in a massive blow to the returning playmaker. The 35-year-old, back in the Wallabies squad for the first time in three years, hobbled off during a low-level domestic fixture at the weekend with scans confirming the serious injury.

Dan Jervis will dive into an Olympic pool for the second time this summer, but for the first time as his true self. The 28-year-old Welsh star came out as gay two years ago and admitted it was difficult to not be open about his sexuality at the last Games in Tokyo.

Former Newport hero and ex-Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui, who led the team at last year's World Cup, has been hired by the New South Wales Waratahs to the newly created position of director of performance. The 'Tahs finished bottom of the Super Rugby table this season, which led to the departure of coach Darren Coleman.

Geraint Thomas has slipped to four minutes off the pace and 42nd overall after the second stage of the Tour de France. The Welsh former Tour winner struggled to stay with the peloton on a steep finish to Sunday’s stage and slipped to four minutes, 24 seconds behind leader Tadej Pogacar.

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.