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Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has given his backing to Cameron Winnett after his axing by Wales coach Warren Gatland. Sherratt paid a glowing tribute to Winnett following the full-back’s player of the match performance in the 31-23 victory over the Dragons at the Arms Park.

Cardiff City fans have voiced their fury over the lack of urgency in appointing a new manager. Bluebirds fans groups have come together to write an open letter to the club’s officials, demanding action and warned a “toxic” feeling towards the club poses huge dangers.

Former scrum-half Callum Pritchard is set to make it a dozen winners this season as a jockey - and underline why he was right to switch sports from rugby to horse racing. The 23-year-old from Porth used to wear the No.9 jersey for Wattstown and came through the same Rhondda schools system as Wales internationals Kieron Assiratti and Cameron Winnett.

Luke Williams admitted he gave his players a bit of the hair dryer treatment after seeing them come into the break trailing 2-1 against bottom of the table Portsmouth at the Swansea.Com Stadium, before hitting back for a 2-2 draw. Matt Ritchie and Josh Murphy had given the visitors a two goal advantage in their first game in three weeks before Myles Peart-Harris harried Connor Ogilivie enough at the far post to force the ball over the line just before the break.

Dragons interim coach Filo Tiatia remains optimistic of his team’s prospects, despite suffering another difficult defeat at the hands of rivals, Cardiff. The Dragons added a 19th successive loss against Cardiff to their decade-long streak, after a gruelling 31-23 defeat at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday night. Despite playing their first match under new head coach Tiatia, the Dragons failed to alter the course of their losing pattern this season.

At a time when Welsh rugby could do with white knights who can ride to the rescue, it’s good to see the return of Josh Adams, even if it’s in blue. Adams will make his first appearance for six months when his club, Cardiff, host the Dragons on Saturday in a URC Welsh derby at the Arms Park that must attempt to lift some of the fog of gloom that hangs over Welsh rugby.

Rhian Wilkinson’s Wales squad will celebrate Christmas early before aiming to unwrap the perfect present – qualifying for Euro 2025. Honours were even between Wales and the Republic of Ireland in the first leg of their Euro play-off final on Friday as Olivia Clark’s own goal cancelled out Lily Woodham’s fine strike for the hosts.

Wales insist they are ready to make history when they take on the Republic of Ireland in the first of a two-legged qualification battle on Friday night. The first meet will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night, which will give Wilkinson’s team the benefit of having the ever-growing Welsh crowd of supporters behind them, as they fight for a place at the 2025 Euros. But Ireland, who are ranked 24 in the world - five spots above Wales - pose a serious threat to the Welsh side’s dreams of making history by appearing at their first major tournament finals.

Few overseas players have made a bigger impact in Welsh rugby over the past couple of decades than Filo Tiatia. Now, the Ospreys legend is looking to make his presence felt once again - in his new role as Dragons interim head coach.

Rhian Wilkinson believes Wales should embrace their opportunity in the Euro 2025 play-off final as they aim to reach their first major tournament. While history beckons, captain Angharad James has underlined the importance of her teammates staying focused on the task at hand, rather than being overwhelmed by the occasion.