Dai Sport

Dean Ryan insists there is plenty of untapped potential at the Dragons but has warned they won’t move forward without increased investment. Former Gloucester and Worcester boss Ryan was appointed director of rugby at Rodney Parade last summer following the sacking of his predecessor Bernard Jackman. The Dragons have more often than not been the poor relations to the other Welsh regions but Ryan is desperate to reverse that particular trend.

Members at The Royal Anglesey Yacht Club are celebrating becoming the only Welsh club among 10 finalists shortlisted for the UK boating club of the year. The annual RYA and Yachts and Yachting Club of the Year Award, supported by Gallagher, recognises the outstanding achievement of sailing clubs across the UK and promotes the hard work and dedication that goes into running a successful club. The Beaumaris-based club has been key in supporting the sailing of classic yachts, developing youth sailing on the North Wales coast as well as starting a successful rowing section.

Neil Harris has promised Cardiff City fans his players can make amends for their first defeat under his management by shocking Leeds United on Saturday. The Bluebirds will be huge 9-1 outsiders at Elland Road after succumbing to a tame 2-1 loss at Brentford on Wednesday night. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins had given Brentford a deserved lead. Cardiff launched a fightback when Marlon Pack's pile-driver made it 2-1 on the hour, but they could not find an equaliser.

Stephen Leonard will follow in some illustrious Welsh footsteps when the Cambridge skipper leads out the Light Blues in the 138th Varsity Match at Twickenham today (Thurs). The former Llandovery College pupil has graduated into a back row regular at Grange Road and will win his third Blue at the home of English rugby, captaining a side that boasts 99 caps in the second row split between former Aussie James Horwill and Springbok giant Flip van der Merwe. A rugby player in his free time, Leonard’s day job as a PhD student is working on a project to try to find ways of fighting cancer. It is important work that will keep him at Cambridge until 2024.

Steve Cooper claimed referee Jeremy Simpson will be dropped three levels after making four big mistakes during Swansea City’ 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers. The Swans manager gave both barrels to the experienced 44-year-old official who sent off a player from either side as the Swans’ winless run was extended to six matches. As well as the two controversial dismissals, Cooper also felt Simpson had ignored a Swansea penalty claim for handball and got another call wrong when striker Sam Surridge was pushed in the penalty area.

More than 40 Welsh athletes have been named for various levels of funding and support to help them achieve their ambitions of competing at major global championships. Welsh Athletics have named 41 athletes on their Commonwealth Games funding programmes, including 20 young up and coming stars on their Commonwealth Games Futures programme. Meanwhile, endurance runners Dewi Griffiths and Melissa Courtney have been named on the British Athletics Olympic World Class programme. Rising stars Jeremiah Azu and James Tomlinson are named in the Olympic Futures Academy.