Dai Sport

Something is stirring in the Dragons’ lair. For too long, the wheezing also-rans among the four Welsh regions – and none have run particularly well in recent years – the Dragons have suddenly found their voice, if not yet, their fire.

Geraint Thomas remains in second place in the overall standings at the Giro d’Italia after another bruising stage for the riders. The Welsh star remains 46 seconds behind two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar after five stages of the race.

Scarlets head coach Dwyane Peel has paid a fulsome tribute to Jonathan Davies, claiming the Wales centre became “the best No.13 in the world” during his time with the region. Davies, 36, has announced he will be leaving the Scarlets at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on a 16-year involvement with his home region over two spells.

Imagine if Gareth Bale - or Jess Fishlock, for that matter – had packed in football at the age of 20 as a full Wales international to take up another sport. Now, consider the reaction if they had not only become an Olympic champion, but also world champion by the time they were still in their 20s.

An outstanding piece of sportsmanship may have cost James Ashfield The Lytham Trophy, but still Welsh golfers showed they are in form to compete with the best in Europe.

Ioan Lloyd scored a fantastic victory on the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup in Ireland (4-5 May). The 21-year old from Llandysul was contesting the Killarney Rally of the Lakes, which was round three of the new series for young drivers in identical Rally4 cars, and claimed his second win of the year with a superb drive against fierce opposition.

Cardiff have moved quickly to replace the departing Rhys Carre by signing two new looseheads for next season. Six-times capped Irish international Ed Byrne, a veteran of 10 seasons at Leinster, will be heading to the Arms Park this summer along with 25-year-old Exeter Chiefs prop Danny Southworth.

Bolton’s Welsh striker Aaron Collins is 90 minutes away from playing in the Championship next season after his wonderful goal sent his club on their way to a Wembley play-off final. Collins - a former Wales U19 cap- secured his place in the League One play-off final despite Bolton being beaten by Barnsley at the Toughsheet Community Stadium as Ian Evatt’s side edged the visitors 5-4 on aggregate.

Filo Tiatia has been backed as the man to finally plug the leaky Dragons’ defence next season. The former Ospreys ‘Galactico’ is returning to Wales as the defence coach at Dragons RFC.

Dragons coach Dai Flanagan believes he has added another piece to the jigsaw of the region’s rebuild with the capture of Shane Lewis-Hughes from Cardiff. The former Wales back row forward will move to Rodney Parade ahead of the 2024/25 season.