Cardiff City End Wait On Bulut Contract
Rhodri Evans
Cardiff City have ended the speculation over manager Erol Bulut’s future by handing him a new two-year contract, committing him to the club until 2026.
Bulut was coy on the topic of his future at the Cardiff City Stadium throughout the final weeks of the season, only answering to confirm that he had not spoken to owner Vincent Tan at all about a renewal of his initial one year contract.
Talks only began in late April and dragged on past the end of season, leaving Cardiff fans worried they are going to lose their manager to one of a number of rumoured suitors.
While some have found Bulut’s style of play wanting, the results speak for themselves: after battling relegation in both of the previous two campaigns, the 49-year-old guided Cardiff to a 12th place finish in his first year in charge.
The former Fenerbahce man has formed a strong relationship with the Cardiff fans and this news will likely be received as positive.
Having been handed an EFL transfer embargo, Bulut arrived with only on loan and free transfers allowed in the summer and very limited funds in January 2024, due to profit and sustainability rules.
The Turkish boss stressed a number of times throughout the season that he is keen to stay on at Cardiff City.
“I’m very proud and happy to be extending my time with you all here in the capital city of Wales,” Bulut said in a club statement.
“It is a privilege to be part of your family.
“I want to thank Tan Sri Vincent for putting his trust in me to lead the club into the future; it is my pleasure to be doing so and I appreciate having been offered this fantastic opportunity.”
“What was clear under Erol’s management last season was that we were making progress and showing improvement,” Tan added.
“I believe he has laid some strong foundations on which he will build. I wish Erol, his staff and squad the very best of luck ahead of the new season. They have my full support and good wishes.”
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Potential XV For South Africa Clash: Costelow, Grady IN But Thomas OUT
Rhodri Evans
With Wales’ squad for the summer internationals now confirmed, let’s pick a probable XV and discuss some of the other candidates for their clash at Twickenham against South Africa!
15. Cam Winnett
Even with the return of Liam Williams, Winnett deserves to keep his place after such an impressive debut Six Nations campaign. Cardiff Rugby’s player of the season for many, the fullback has been one of the most consistent performers in regional rugby this season.
14. Rio Dyer
Another who may well pick up his club’s player of the season award, Dyer has taken on an increased leadership role in both the Dragons and Wales squads since his first World Cup campaign. With the rest of the wing contingent in the squad inexperienced in terms of age and caps, Dyer will have the added responsibility of guiding his peers on and off the pitch.
13. Mason Grady
Having appeared mostly on the wing this season, including scoring a brace on Judgement Day from that position, it may come as a mild surprise to see Grady given the 13 jersey here. However, with a lack of options at Gatland’s disposal, Grady will most likely field the 22-year-old at outside centre against the Springboks.
12. Owen Watkin
Ospreys’ Mr Reliable this season gets the inside centre berth in this team with Nick Tompkins unavailable due to the fixture falling outside the international window. That is not to diminish Watkin’s efforts this season, which have been stellar. In an excellent Ospreys side, Watkin has shown some real consistency in his performances, something Gatland will no doubt have taken notice of.
The other option is Ben Thomas, but Gatland’s comments at the squad announcement speaks to the fact that the Wales hierarchy see the Cardiff back as more of a fly-half option than a centre, despite him playing the majority of his club minutes as 12 this season.
11. Keelan Giles
With Josh Hathaway unavailable for the same reasons as Tompkins, it is likely that Gatland will have Giles and Liam Williams to choose from on the left wing. While Williams has played there before, he has not done so for a while at international level, and the chance to see Giles pace on the international level is an enticing prospect.
10. Sam Costelow
With only one out-and-out fly-half in the squad, this choice is all but made already. Gatland said that Thomas and utility back Jacob Beetham will be looked at in the fly-half position this summer, but for the first game of the summer, we expect current incumbent Sam Costelow to get the nod.
9. Gareth Davies
With Tomos Williams injured, Kieran Hardy not displaying the form required to consistently start at international level, and Ellis Bevan as yet uncapped, the scrum half position is another that fills itself. Gareth Davies has continued to be his trademark scoring threat this season, dotting down for seven tries in a disappointing Scarlets campaign.
1. Gareth Thomas
Wales’ undisputed loosehead prop will need to be at his scrummaging best against the massive South African front row. While Corey Domachowski is an able deputy, noone in this Wales squad boosts Thomas’ ability to be a cornerstone of a scrum in a way Wales will desperately need.
2. Dewi Lake
The returning Lake gives Wales some much-needed carrying might, as well as being a markedly improved set-piece hooker. Sam Parry’s ability at scrum time may be tempting but he has had very little recent international experience and Elliott Dee will not doubt be in contention. This test is too early for Evan Lloyd who showed on Judgement Day that his a player of some talent.
3. Keiron Assiratti
With Wales’ best scrummaging tightheads – Henry Thomas and Tomas Francis – unavailable, Assiratti is the obvious choice. While clearly talented, the prospect of one of Harri O’Connor and Archie Griffin lining up against Steven Kitshoff and Ox Nche is not a particularly promising one.
4. Ben Carter
The Dragons lock has had a consistent season, often battling hard in a losing side. His endless appetite for work will be required against South Africa. Expect him to be among the top tacklers, carriers, and ruck hitters in this clash.
5. Cory Hill
With so many unavailable for this South Africa clash, the controversial recall of Cory Hill was trailed ever since Adam Beard picked up an injury against Bulls in Pretoria. While most will not be impressed with Hill’s return, he does offer international experience, albeit not recently.
6. Taine Plumtree
Against the size of the Bok pack, Wales need some ballast, something that Plumtree offers and some. The Scarlets back row has been excellent since his return from injury and slots in ahead of the other options for Gatland, one of which is moving Wainwright to blindside and inserting Mackenzie Martin at number eight.
7. Jac Morgan (c)
The return of maybe the most talented player in Wales right now will be a massive boost, even if he is replacing a more than capable deputy in Tommy Reffell. ‘Captain Jac’ will have to be managed over the course of the summer but his all-court game will be greatly needed against the Springboks. Reffell and Morgan will likely trade the no.7 and no.20 shirt throughout these four summer fixtures.
8. Aaron Wainwright
With Taulupe Faletau out injured again, Wainwright remains comfortably Wales’ best fit number eight. The Dragons player has had an excellent season, capped off as Wales’ stand out player in the 2024 Six Nations.
Who would you pick for Wales’ opening game of the summer? Lets us know at subscribe@sportin.wales or join the debate on our social media!
2024 Summer Fixtures
Saturday 22 June: South Africa v Wales
Twickenham Stadium
KO 14.00 BST
Saturday 6 July: Australia v Wales
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
KO 10.55 BST / 19.55 local time
Saturday 13 July: Australia v Wales
AAMI Park, Melbourne
KO 10.55 BST / 19.55 local time
Friday 19 July: Queensland Reds v Wales
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
KO 10.55 BST / 19.55 local time
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Wales Squad Shows Difficulty Of Constantly Building Towards Next World Cup
Rhodri Evans
Over the years, we’ve become accustomed to expecting the unexpected with Warren Gatland’s squad announcements.
The Wales head coach continued his trend since returning to the role of picking young, inexperienced squads as this complement of players travel to Australia with an average age of just 25.
There are first call ups for Ellis Bevan, Keelan Giles, Josh Hathaway, and Jacob Beetham, with only Giles above that 25 year mark.
Even with the return of older players in Liam Williams, Cory Hill, and Matthew Screech, the likes of Christ Tshiunza, Mackenzie Martin, Evan Lloyd, and Cam Winnett all bring the average age down.
For today’s squad, we had some clues about the ‘surprise’ call ups: the return of Cory Hill and Liam Williams were trailed for a little while; the call ups of uncapped wingers Keelan Giles and Josh Hathaway due to the absence of Josh Adams and Judgement Day injuries to other hopefuls Tomi Lewis and Theo Cabango; the inexperience of Harri O’Connor and Archie Griffin due to the lack of availability from more seasoned frontrowers Dillon Lewis and Henry Thomas.
In Gatland’s adjoining remarks about the squad, he said that his side are building towards the 2027 World Cup.
“I think everyone appreciates and realises we’re building towards 2027,” Gatland said.
“It’s pretty young. Pretty exciting. We’re happy with the players we’ve got. We’ve tried to keep some continuity. The big focus is trying to build some depth.”
The question for a lot of Welsh fans will be: why is the team building a tournament that seems ages away, compared to the dismal 2024 Six Nations, which is still fresh in the mind.
It seems logical to pick players from a winning team and, while they have not been truly outstanding this season, the Ospreys are by far and away the most successful Welsh region this season, reaching the quarterfinals of both the URC and Challenge Cup.
And yet only six of the 37 names in the squad are members of the Ospreys squad, with notable absentees including Morgan Morris, James Ratti, Reuben Morgan-Williams, and Rhys Henry.
On Morgan Morris specifically, Gatland said that the number eight needs to work on “both sides of the ball.”
“It’s not just the attack stuff,” Gatland said.
“It’s both sides of the ball. When we got through the videos with players, it’s stuff off the ball.
“He’s had some really good games for the Ospreys. We’ve got a load of good players in that position. For him, it’s working on those things.”
It’s true, Wales do have lots of talent in the back row. With Jac Morgan returning, the promising Alex Mann is left out, while Aaron Wainwright and Tommy Reffell were standouts in the Six Nations.
Even still, Gatland has prioritised continuity at this early stage of the World Cup ‘cycle’. Mackenzie Martin and Taine Plumtree are travelling and, while both being undoubtedly excellent prospects, they have not had better seasons than Morris, or indeed his Ospreys back row teammate Harri Deaves.
Moving away from the lack of Ospreys players, one thing Gatland will no doubt preach over these coming weeks will be patience.
This is a young squad, but it has some serious talent in it. The traditional Welsh positions of strength of back row, hooker, and wing are brimming with talent, while a chance to see some new centre and second row combinations will be welcome.
Wales have a growing pool of leaders that will put them in excellent stead for the future. Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan, Dafydd Jenkins, and Adam Beard have all worn the armband in recent matches, while Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Gareth Thomas, and Rio Dyer have all now been in several squads and are taking more and more responsibility on the pitch.
Gatland will argue that giving Martin, Winnett, Mason Grady, and Evan Lloyd time on the pitch in international rugby is the best way to prepare them for their future careers and it is hard to doubt that. However, coming from a Cardiff team that has won four times all season, these are players that are not brimming with confidence, something the Wales coaching staff will have to instill themselves.
That coupled, with the prospect of Ben Thomas or Jacob Beetham at fly-half is exciting, if not decisions that will win Wales games in the here and now.
With Tshiunza and Jenkins unavailable against South Africa, Wales will most likely line-up with a Dragons second row against the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, and RG Snyman. That is certainly not an ideal prospect for those looking for a response to the Six Nations where Wales looked underpowered compared to their rivals.
The issue for this group is how long the fans will give them before demanding more than promise.
The last two Six Nations have been somewhat forgiven for the positive progress in last year’s World Cup, but with Gatland already asking us to look to 2027, expectations will have to be managed.
That is not to say that these matches do not matter. Wales cannot continue to lose the majority of their games while maintaining the ‘jam tomorrow’ line. Gatland needs to show that this set of players are growing and improving under his leadership. Otherwise, the questions asked will become demands.
Wales Squad in full:
Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby), Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby), Dillon Lewis (Harlequins), Harri O’Connor (Scarlets), Henry Thomas (Castres Olympique), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Matthew Screech (Dragons), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Backs: Ellis Bevan* (Cardiff Rugby), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Keelan Giles* (Ospreys), Josh Hathaway* (Gloucester Rugby), Liam Williams (Kubota Spears), Jacob Beetham* (Cardiff Rugby), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby).
* – Uncapped Player
2024 Summer Fixtures
Saturday 22 June: South Africa v Wales
Twickenham Stadium
KO 14.00 BST
Saturday 6 July: Australia v Wales
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
KO 10.55h BST / 19.55h local time
Saturday 13 July: Australia v Wales
AAMI Park, Melbourne
KO 10.55 BST / 19.55h local time
Friday 19 July: Queensland Reds v Wales
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
KO 10.55 BST / 19.55h local time
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Wales Summer International Squad Announced: No Morris And No Captain But Beetham and Giles IN
Rhodri Evans
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his 37-man squad for the Summer Internationals against South Africa and Australia with no captain confirmed yet.
World Cup captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake return to the fold after missing the 2024 Six Nations through injury, while previous skipper Dafydd Jenkins is also in the squad.
Josh Hathaway and Elis Bevan are among those to receive first call ups, while Cory Hill returns after three years away from international rugby.
The other uncapped members of the squad are back three players Jacob Beetham of Cardiff Rugby and Keelan Giles of Ospreys.
Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Will Rowlands are not included as they have been given a break for this summer of international rugby.
It appears Jacob Beetham, Sam Parry, and Cory Hill are the beneficiaries of that decision.
Ben Thomas, arguably the best player in regional rugby this season, is included as competition for incumbent fly-half Sam Costelow.
With no other out-and-out fly-half in the squad, Thomas will be required to play some minutes outside of his prefered inside centre role – the position he has played in most during the season for Cardiff.
Scarlets back Ioan Lloyd, who started the Six Nations in the number 10 jersey, has been left out.
With notable absentees in the second row for the South Africa game, including captain Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, and Will Rowlands, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, and Hill are in line to feature at Twickenham Stadium.
With Henry Thomas and Dillon Lewis also unavailable for the South Africa game, Gatland has picked five tighthead props, with Archie Griffin, Keiron Assiratti, and Harri O’Connor joining Thomas and Lewis in the squad.
The back row is notable for its absentees: Morgan Morris continues to be overlooked by the Wales set-up, with Alex Mann also left out of the tour.
Wales play South Africa on June 22nd before embarking on a three-match tour of Australia in July, facing the national team twice and then playing Queensland Reds in Brisbane to end the tour.
Wales Squad in full:
Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby), Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby), Dillon Lewis (Harlequins), Harri O’Connor (Scarlets), Henry Thomas (Castres Olympique), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Matthew Screech (Dragons), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Backs: Ellis Bevan* (Cardiff Rugby), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Keelan Giles* (Ospreys), Josh Hathaway* (Gloucester Rugby), Liam Williams (Kubota Spears), Jacob Beetham* (Cardiff Rugby), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby).
* – Uncapped Player
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Centre Battle Gives A Glimpse Of Wales' Present & Future
Rhodri Evans
Scarlets were comfortable winners in the first match of Judgement Day, cruising to a 32-15 victory over the Dragons.
A brace of second half tries from Tomi Lewis confirmed the result after Kemsley Mathias and Dan Davis had converted in the first period. Dragons substitute Sio Tomkinson scored a couple of tries to reduce the deficit, but it was ultimately too little, too late for the away side.
With both sides having seasons to forget, the match was an opportunity for some of the younger prospects to put their names forward for starting berths next season and for others to impress in front of Wales head coach Warren Gatland ahead of his squad announcement on Monday.
Will Reed and Sam Costelow traded early penalties before Kemsley Mathias dotted down for Scarlets at the back of a maul to give the ‘home’ side some breathing room.
It was a cagey first half, one where the ball rarely got out to the wide areas, making the midfield battle key to how this match was settled. Aneurin Owen and Joe Westwood of Dragons competed well up against the Scarlets duo of Eddie James and Johnny Williams, as the contest reached a stalemate of sorts in the opening 25 minutes of the match.
Westwood, starting just his third match of the season and only his second in the centres, was diligent in defence but was given very little in attack, while Williams, always a willing runner in attack, was prone to momentary lapses when defending the 13 channel.
James was most eye catching, flinging a couple of lovely passes out to Ryan Conbeer on the left wing before being yellow carded for a tackle on Owen that was adjudged to have been high by referee Craig Evans.
Owen’s right leg slipped out from under him as he played the pass, resulting in a good shot from James turning into an illegal one. Owen went off for an HIA and was replaced by Dragons’ club captain Steff Hughes, a substitution later made permanent.
Despite being a man up, Dragons were unable to capitalise. The newly-introduced Hughes’ cross kick was a touch high for Rio Dyer who was well managed by Ioan Nicholas out wide.
It was Scarlets, though that pulled further ahead before the break. Gareth Davies quick-tap penalty left the Dragons’ defence scrambling before Sam Lousi’s offload to Ioan Lloyd broke it open.
Lloyd fed Tomi Lewis on the wing who fixed the covering defender before putting through Dan Davis to score his first try of a consistent, if unspectacular, season for the openside.
Scarlets stretched their lead further just after the break as Dyer’s meandering sideways run ended catastrophically as he offloaded the ball straight into the hands of Lewis with a clean run through for a third try.
Twenty-one unanswered points for Scarlets left Dragons chasing the game. As Chris Hollis and Dyer left their wings looking for work, the visitor’s attacking shape shrunk into the middle of the pitch, making things simple for James, Williams and co in defence.
While in defence, things were unravelling in familiar fashion. Lewis was one of a number of red shirts waiting for Jarrod Taylor’s ball on the overlap, as Dragons’ scramble defence was left wanting after Johnny Williams’ break.
Taine Plumtree, another looking to impress ahead of the summer internationals, was not overly tested, while his blindside counterpart, Wales U20 captain Ryan Woodman cut a peripheral figure as the Dragons’ edge forward in attack.
In the second rows, Alex Craig was the standout. A heavy carrier, albeit without the flair of his partner Sam Lousi, Craig was consistently affecting the contact area and imposing his size and power on the contest, a deserved man of the match performance at a key time for the Scottish lock.
Ben Carter, likely to be in Warren Gatland’s squad for Wales’ game with South Africa later this month due to a number of injuries and other absentees, was his usual industrious self.
However, Gatland will be sweating over the fitness of number eight Aaron Wainwright who was forced off at half time, replaced by Dan Lyditate.
Dragons’ hit back not long after Lewis’ second try through substitute Sio Tomkinson before the impressive Lewis had to be helped from the pitch for what looked like a twisted ankle injury as he defended another yellow and black attack.
Tomkinson’s second try gave the scoreline a little gloss for the Dragons but, as has been the case for most of the season, their second half efforts were in vain.
Both sides will now look to put this season behind them and look towards next with some positivity.
Scarlets: (17) 32 Tries: Mathias, Davis, Lewisx2 Con: Costelow x2, Lloyd, Pen: Costelow x2.
Dragons: (3) 15 Tries: Tomkinson x2, Con: Reed Pen: Reed.
Scarlets: Nicholas (Lloyd 55′), Lewis (Page 66′), J Williams, James, Conbeer, Costelow, G Davies (Hardy 51′); Mathias (W Jones 55′), Elias (c) (S Evans 66′), O’Connor (S Wainwright 55′), Craig (M Jones 74′), Lousi, Plumtree, Davis, Tuipulotu (Taylor 51′).
Dragons: Rosser, Dyer, Westwood, Owen (Hughes 30′), Hollis (Tomkinson 59′), Reed, R Williams (c) (Hope 66′); R Jones (Martinez 53′), Coghlan (Benjamin 53′), Coleman (Arhip 53′), Carter, Screech (Nott 61′), Woodman, Basham, A Wainwright (Lydiate 40′).
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Battling Back: New Tredegar RFC Plans To Rise Back To Better Days
Rhodri Evans
New Tredegar RFC, a previously thriving rugby club, have fallen on hard times recently.
Demoted from Division 4 East after not being able to fulfil their fixtures, the community club will play in Division 6 next season – the bottom tier of amateur rugby’s structure.
The club were hit hard by poor weather and a lack of playing staff, meant that the club had more fixtures to play than weeks available in the season.
Now building from the base of welsh amateur rugby, New Tredegar have unveiled their new strategy to return to their previous position as a thriving village rugby club and a community hub for the surrounding area.
The club are starting a new long-term plan that is aimed at getting the club back to the standard of rugby that it has played in the past.
A large part of their plan is to re-establish a youth side that builds on the strong work of their minis program and age-group players, creating a pathway for their talented youngsters to reach the senior team.
A new management team has been assembled with the task of carrying out these exciting changes.
Ryan Man and Roderick Miles will take on the role of joint Team Managers, while Ray Davies, who has been an integral part of New Tredegar for nearly 50 years, will be Fixtures Secretary. Finally, Dean Jones will be heading up the drive to make the senior side commercially successful.
Chairman of the club, Alan Vaughan, is thrilled to have a new team in place
“It’s so pleasing for the senior team to have some new support and fresh ideas,” Vaughan said.
“The club is successful in many ways, but the senior team is the pinnacle for any side and New Tredegar is no exception. The committee and I will be supporting in anyway we can.”
New Tredegar has identified four key areas of focus that they believe, when completed, will bring the club back back to its previous heights:
- Create a club culture that feels professional both on and off the rugby pitch.
- Develop and maintain a smooth pathway for players from mini’s to youth teams and into senior rugby.
- Recruit quality coaching to become an attractive hub for players where they can learn and develop their rugby skills.
- Establish a commercial strategy to reinforce the club’s new direction and secure the financial status of the club going forward.
As well as these core pillars, there has already been work put in to bring coaching clinics from high-profile players and coaches within Welsh rugby to create some excitement around the launch of this new strategy.
The club has also put appointing high quality coaching staff top of its priority list ahead of an important preseason.
Ray Davies, Fixtures Secretary of New Tredegar RFC, said of the changes: “I have been a part of the club for over 47 years and to see it drop down the divisions is hard for everyone.
“I know how much time and effort everyone puts into this club and that passion is what we want to be harnessing as we take the club in this new direction.
“This strategy will bring New Tredegar back to its past glory and establish it, once again, as an essential part of the local community. We are all excited to see where we can take this wonderful club in the future.”
Dean Jones a former player who is helping to drive sponsorship and other revenue to invest in the club, is excited by the direction the club is going.
“It has been sad to see the hard times that this great club has fallen on and when the opportunity came up to help in any way, I could not turn it down,” he added.
“Being born and bred in New Tredegar and benefitting from the great work the club does, I feel passionately that players should come to New Tredegar knowing it can deliver for them as a club both on and off the field.
“I am looking forward to getting stuck in and bringing the focus back on all the good this club does for its supporters, players and community. Our plan is rock-solid, and I’m buzzing to get going now!”
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Cardiff And Swansea COMBINED Team Of The Season
Rhodri Evans
You asked… and we answered!
Last week Sportin Wales’s team of the season caused a bit of a stir among Cardiff City and Swansea City fans as only two Bluebirds and one Jack were included at the expense of players from Wrexham and Newport County.
Complaints that none of the likes of Paul Mullin, Elliott Lee, or Will Evans would ever get near a Championship level team were heard loud and clear in Sportin Wales towers, so here we present our Cardiff and Swansea combined team of the season…
Carl Rushworth (Swansea City)
A survivor from our original team, Rushworth has had an excellent season at the Swans, with many fans rueing his likely departure back to his parent club.
On loan from Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion, Rushworth has been a mainstay in goal for the Swans this season and has impressed, having taken the step up a division from League One last season with Lincoln City.
Perfectly suited to Luke Williams’ patient possession football, Rushworth has been rewarded with an England U21 call-up to go alongside his supporters’ player of the season and players’ player of the season awards.
Perry Ng (Cardiff City)
A second consecutive players’ player of the season was a just reward for another excellent season in blue for Ng.
Tenacious in defence with added attacking threat – six goals and four assists this season – means that the right-back ends the Championship season as his side’s joint-top goal scorer, with forwards Karlan Grant and Kion Etete.
Whether Ng is still playing football at the Cardiff City Stadium next season is a different question, however, with manager Erol Bulut admitting that there is plenty of interest in the defender.
Nat Phillips (Cardiff City)
A defender that has had a significant impact in a short space of time, Phillips only joined Cardiff City in January, having spent the first half of the season on loan at Celtic.
The Liverpool loanee quickly established himself as the leader of the back four and was instrumental in Cardiff’s excellent run of form in late February and early March, that had fans dreaming of a play-off place, albeit briefly.
Harry Darling (Swansea City)
Signed from MK Dons in 2022, Darling has been Swansea’s most important defender ever since.
A massive part of his side’s turnaround in form since Luke Williams took over, Darling has popped up with important goals, turning losses into draws, as well as providing important interventions in defence.
Despite not being the biggest defender in the league, Darling’s aerial ability is better than any in the Swansea squad, something that Williams will look to build on next season.
Josh Tymon (Swansea City)
Having joined Swansea from Stoke without a preseason, many would have forgiven Tymon for a slow start to his career at the Swansea.com Stadium. Things could not be further from the truth, as Tymon has appeared in every Swansea game since his debut in the South Wales derby defeat at Cardiff.
A graceful player, Tymon has laid on six assists this season and has become a fans favourite in this Swansea squad.
Matt Grimes (Swansea City)
The first of our midfield two is Swansea captain, Matt Grimes, who has remarkably played every minute of the Championship season.
Ever the metronome of Swansea’s patient style, Grimes has popped up with goals and assists this season. A flurry in September under Michael Duff when things looked much rosier, and vital goals against Stoke and Norwich in the Swans’ promising late season run mean that Grimes has contributed to 15% of Swansea’s goals this season.
Manolis Siopis (Cardiff City)
A free transfer from Trabzonspor, Siopis has been an excellent addition to the Cardiff midfield axis.
Often partnered alongside club captain Joe Ralls, the diminutive Greek midfielder has displayed eye-catching calm in possession and tenacity off the ball.
Siopis is Sportin Wales‘ Signing of the Season.
Liam Cullen (Swansea City)
One of only two Welshmen in our team, Cullen has taken a step forward in his development this season.
Seven goals and five assists are not standout numbers but Cullen’s influence is felt massively when he isn’t on the pitch for Swansea.
Now a regular in Rob Page’s Wales squads and having made his international debut against Gibraltar, this past season has been Cullen’s best of his blossoming career.
Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City)
Not the most eye-catching season for the Welsh youngster in terms of goals and assists, but Colwill’s contributions to Erol Bulut’s side were enough for him to take home the club’s young player of the season at their end of season awards.
Colwill has mostly appeared from the bench for the Bluebirds this season and has probably shown his best form for Wales U21s, as he aims to lead his country to the U21 EURO’s.
Jamie Paterson (Swansea City)
Consistently excellent wide attacking players have not exactly been overwhelming south Wales this season, but that is not to take anything away from Jamie Paterson, who deserves his place in this team.
After a difficult 2022/23 season where he battled injury, lack of form, and failed to convince then-manager Russell Martin that he deserved a starting birth, Paterson has been much improved this season.
Seven goals this term is his best return since his was a 21-year-old in League One with Walsall and Swansea will be looking to his to lead the attack next season.
Yakou Méïté (Cardiff City)
It is a mark of both side’s profligacy in front of goal this season that Sportin Wales have picked a forward with just two league goals to lead the line in our team.
While Méïté, has not found the net with any kind of regularity, his performances have been consistently effective for Cardiff, making the likes of Josh Bowler, Karlan Grant, Rubin Colwill et al look much better.
Méïté’s hold-up play as by far and away the best among the candidates and, having proven he can score at Championship level for Reading over the last few years, Cardiff fans will be looking for their frontman to add goals to his excellent all-round game next season.
Who would you pick?
Let us know at subscribe@sportin.wales or join the debate on our social media!
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Much-Needed Glamorgan Win With Selection Dilemmas Ahead
Rhodri Evans
There’s something about the second week in May for Glamorgan.
Before last weekend’s round of the County Championship, Glamorgan had not won a match in 13 red ball games.
You would have to go back to the same time last season, the fifth round of the County Championship Division Two in early May, to find Glamorgan’s last win in red ball cricket.
In that contest, it was Australian overseas Michael Neser who fired his side to victory with runs and wickets against Worcestershire.
Fast forward to 2024 and, thanks to a club-record 315-run partnership between vice-captain Kiran Carlson and Colin Ingram, along with wickets from Mir Hamza and Andy Gorvin, the Welsh county is celebrating a rare win.
Having survived a brief wobble as West Indian quick Jayden Seales ripped through the Glammy top order in the first hour of Day Two, the home side dominated the encounter, thereafter, building a first innings lead of 133 and then bowling Sussex out cheaply.
The scenes as Billy Root flayed Aristides Karvelas through mid-wicket for the winning runs showed a team that really needed that victory to get their season going in a positive way.
Coach Grant Bradburn stressed in a preseason interview with Sportin Wales that “it doesn’t matter how many games we lose this season, it’s how many we win.”
“We’re very confident in playing the game to win and sometimes that means risking losing,” said Bradburn.
“It’s about getting 20 wickets in the longer format, and we will set up our team to do that and rely on our batsman, if that means going in with one less batsman but with a properly balanced team, clearly intending to take wickets then that’s what we’ll do.”
Taking wickets has been difficult this season, even with the addition of Hamza and leg-spinner Mason Crane.
Before last weekend’s victory, Glamorgan had bowled their opponents out just twice in four games, conceding totals of 519 vs Yorkshire, 605 vs Northamptonshire, and 655 vs Middlesex.
It is worth pointing out that winning can be hard to come by in Division Two, where bowling is weaker than batting across the board.
Before this round of matches where Glamorgan and Gloucestershire picked up much needed wins, those two, coupled with Derbyshire, had won a single game between them in their last 55 red ball matches.
This speaks to the importance of Mir Hamza.
The left arm seamer has taken a few games to get going in unfamiliar conditions but looked like the international calibre bowler he is against Sussex, ending with match figures of 7-104.
The Pakistani international blew away the Sussex top order, before Gorvin cleaned up the middle and lower order with the help of Crane.
Bradburn has shuffled his seam bowling pack this season, with Hamza and James Harris the only ever-presents, and Gorvin, Dan Douthwaite, Jamie McIlroy, Brad Wheal, and Craig Miles all rotating in and out to varying degrees of success.
With that in mind, having Hamza settled and used to English (or Welsh) conditions will be vital with two very winnable games left in this block of Championship games against Middlesex and Leicestershire.
With the imminent arrival of Australian international Marnus Labuschagne, the team will be bolstered by the world’s number 12 ranked batsman who has averaged 55.52 with eight centuries in 26 matches at Glamorgan.
The situation seems clear, right? Hamza and Labuschagne play as Glammy’s two overseas players for their net set of games.
Well, that would mean dropping Colin Ingram. The South African batter is a Glamorgan mainstay since first arriving in 2015 and is enjoying an extraordinary season so far.
Ingram has scored 637 runs in Division Two this season, topping the chart ahead of his captain Sam Northeast, despite batting two fewer times this season.
In eight innings, Ingram’s scores read: 132*, 30, 51, 82, 11*, 48, 113, and 170.
His three hundreds are unequalled in Division Two, with only Joe Clarke of Nottinghamshire in Division One equalling him on that number.
Even with the undoubted quality of Labuschagne, can Bradburn afford to drop either Ingram or Hamza with the form they are in?
“It’s exactly what we want,” Bradburn said of the selection headache he and his coaches now have.
“We want headaches from a selection point of view. Mark Wallace and I want some tough decisions to make, and we’ve got some, not only with the overseas professionals, but also, we’ve now got other guys putting their hands up now too.
“We’ll regroup, we’ve got to be mindful and keep bodies fresh at this point in the season. We’ve got a clear plan on how we want to approach the Middlesex game and put a team together specifically for Middlesex and the conditions at home for that game.”
Whichever combination Bradburn goes with, three does not go into two and one big name will have to sit out of the XI as his team look to build on their first win of the season and back up those strong words from the start of the season.
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Who Joins Mullin And Lee In The Sportin Wales Team Of The Season?
Rhodri Evans
With the football season at a close and many turning their attention to the summer sports season, Sportin Wales have picked their Welsh football Team of the Season for 2023/24.
One team stands out above the rest in terms of Welsh football this season, as Wrexham completed back-to-back promotions, but there were plenty of individual success stories from the other three teams competing in the English Football League this season.
So, Paul Mullin is in, Elliott Lee is in, but who joins them in the Sportin Wales Team of the Season? Read on to find out…
Carl Rushworth (Swansea)
On loan from Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion, Rushworth has been a mainstay in goal for the Swans this season and has impressed, having taken the step up a division from League One last season with Lincoln City.
Perfectly suited to Luke Williams’ patient possession football, Rushworth has been rewarded with an England U21 call-up to go alongside his supporters’ player of the season and players’ player of the season awards.
Honourable mention: Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham)
Max Cleworth (Wrexham)
Since breaking into the Wrexham back three during the festive period, Cleworth has been a vital part of one of League Two’s best defences.
In 2024, the 21-year-old defender has started every league game except for two in early February, popping up with a single goal and assist.
A Wrexham academy graduate, Cleworth’s contribution to his side’s promotion to League One won him his second young player of the year award.
Honourable mention: Eoghan O’Connell (Wrexham)
Nat Phillips (Cardiff City)
Another defender who has had a significant impact in a short space of time, Phillips only joined Cardiff City in January, having spent the first half of the season on loan at Celtic.
The Liverpool loanee quickly established himself as the leader of the back four and was instrumental in Cardiff’s excellent run of form in late February and early March, that had fans dreaming of a play-off place, albeit briefly.
Honourable Mention: Harry Darling (Swansea)
Ryan Delaney (Newport County)
An up-and-down season at Rodney Parade may have gone very differently had their talismanic captain not suffered a season-ending knee injury in February.
Before suffering his injury, Delaney was an integral part of a 7-game unbeaten run that had brought Newport to the brink of the play-offs.
After Delaney was confirmed to be out for the season, his side only won four of their last 15 games, losing the other eleven and fading into mid-table obscurity.
Honourable Mention: Scott Bennett (Newport County)
Perry Ng (Cardiff City)
A second consecutive players’ player of the season was just reward for another excellent season in blue for Ng.
Tenacious in defence with added attacking threat – six goals and four assists this season – means that the right-back ends the Championship season as his side’s joint-top goal scorer, with forwards Karlan Grant and Kion Etete.
Whether Ng is still playing football at the Cardiff City Stadium next season is a different question, however, with manager Erol Bulut admitting that there is plenty of interest in the defender.
Honourable Mention: Ryan Barnett (Wrexham)
James McClean (Wrexham)
Not the only player Wrexham have lured down from the higher divisions, McClean has looked a class above on the left-hand side of Wrexham’s attack this season.
The left wing-back has been a revelation for the Dragons, laying on ten assists and scoring three more. Such has his influence been that the Republic of Ireland international captained the club on six occasions in his first season at Y Cae Ras.
Honourable Mention: Josh Key (Swansea)
Thomas O’Connor (Wrexham)
Forgive Sportin Wales a bit of a fudge here, as O’Connor has played mostly at centre-half this season but spells as Wrexham’s deepest central midfielder have won him a place in this team.
An ultra-reliable presence, O’Connor’s broken foot coincided with a run of three straight defeats, Wrexham’s only real blip in form throughout the season.
Honourable Mention: Matt Grimes (Swansea)
Andy Cannon (Wrexham)
Cannon’s scintillating late season form earns him a spot in this team ahead of departing legend Luke Young and Jordan Davies, who has become more of a bit part player this season.
Five goals and a further two assists in key victories over Mansfield Town, Crewe Alexandra, and Stockport County cement the former Hull City midfielder’s place in this team.
Honourable Mention: Rubin Colwill (Cardiff)
Elliott Lee (Wrexham)
Not many can overshadow Paul Mullin but, for most of the season, Elliott Lee has out-performed Wrexham’s main man.
Thirteen goals and a couple of assists at the start of the season kick-started Wrexham’s promotion charge, ending with 16 in all competitions.
While Lee has had to revert back to his supporting role with the return of Mullin, he was integral to his side throughout, appearing in every league game, starting them all except for two substitute appearances.
Honourable Mention: Bryn Morris (Newport County)
Will Evans (Newport County)
Evans has had a career year at Rodney Parade, scoring 21 league goals, over a third of his team’s overall tally.
The former Bala Town striker struggled last season, scoring just two league goals and often playing away from his favoured position, but has produced some memorable performances this campaign.
It was no coincidence that, as the goals started to dry up for Evans at the end of the season, Newport’s form took a turn for the worse.
Honourable Mention: Liam Cullen (Swansea)
Paul Mullin (Wrexham)
Having missed the start of the season with that freak punctured lung injury against Manchester United in preseason, some may have forgiven Mullin a slow start to his return to League Two.
A brace in his third appearance of the season against Crewe kick-started a run of 10 goals and five assists over the Christmas period.
While he finished behind his old striking foe Macaulay Langstaff in the League Two top-scorers’ charts, 24 goals and a further six assists was enough for Mullin to take home Wrexham’s player of the season.
Honourable Mention: Ollie Palmer (Wrexham)
What do you make of our picks? Let us know at subscribe@sportin.wales or join the debate on our social media!
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Joe Cordina: 'Tricky Fight Stylistically' Against Cacace
Rhodri Evans
Ahead of the biggest week of the year for Welsh boxing, the Sportin Wales Podcast welcomed former boxer turned trainer Gary Lockett and boxing journalist Dewi Powell to run the rule over Joe Cordina’s upcoming fight with Anthony Cacace.
Cordina, the reigning IBF super-featherweight champion, is fighting Cacace in Saudi Arabia on Saturday 18th May, on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
Speaking in his exclusive column with Sportin Wales, Cordina said that he has “done everything there is to achieve” from “amateur to professional.”
“I know I have to be smart and careful, but I believe I will get the win.
“I believe I’ve been in the ring with better opposition, I’m more well-schooled than he is, and I trump him in every box. Not saying he can’t beat me just I think I’ve got a little bit more than him.”
Dewi Powell echoed this sentiment on the Sportin Wales Podcast this week.
“I fancy Joe to win as favourite,” he said.
“He will be expected to win but it could be tricky fight stylistically. Anthony Cacace is no mug and has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.
“He’s got some great endorsements. You hear someone like Carl Frampton say that he is one of the biggest punchers he’s ever seen. Even though it doesn’t translate onto his record, he’s one of those who maybe a little deceptive in the fact that his arms are a little longer than what you think, he’s tougher, his work rate is higher than it looks because of his body language.”
Powell, though, has confidence in Cordina.
“It’s no walkover, by any means, but once he figures things out he should be fine against Cacace.
“Joe’s gone to another level since he’s fighting at world level. I’m sure he’s 100% confident of winning.”
Cordina recently spoken honestly about his focus switching towards the financial incentives of boxing, rather than the lure of titles.
“I’ve achieved everything I want to achieve in the sport and all that’s left to do is make money,” he said in the May Edition of Sportin Wales.
“It’s about going out there now and setting my family up for the future and that’s what I plan on doing.
“I’ve had some good money and life experiences, been able to travel the world and I’m able to do anything I want to do, but at this moment I won’t be able to do that for the rest of my life.
“Some people start from nothing and want to win British titles, but after that, all they’re thinking about is making money and if they tell you any different, they’re lying.
“You can’t pay your bills, put food on the table unless you make money, if you’re fighting for a world title you aren’t going to do that for five quid.”
Lockett, a former boxer himself, does not blame Cordina for taking this view.
“It’s great to be a world champion,” he said.
“But when you’re 60 years old and you’re looking at a world championship belt on the mantelpiece, but you’re skint, then you’re gonna be thinking, ‘I should have chased the money.’
“I’d always encourage my boxers to chase money over titles, because this is one of the hardest sports in the world.
“It’s only a short career, so you’ve got to earn as much money as you could possibly earn in a short space of time.”
Cordina has also spoken about how this fight maybe his last before moving up a weight class to lightweight.
“Cacace is a great fighter but if I beat him and don’t get a unification fight… I don’t want to just keep defending my title,” he admitted.
Powell agrees with Cordina and says that he has always been a “big” super-featherweight.
“I think anyone who sees Joe at the weigh in will know that making super-featherweight is tough for him,” Powell said.
“You don’t quite understand the size of him because he doesn’t always obviously impose it on his opponents. But yeah, he is a big super-feather. The tricky task is if he stays super-feather, where are the big fights for him? Most of them are in America.”