Dai Sport

Tributes have been paid from across football to former Wales winger Leighton James who has died at the age of 71. James’ former clubs Burnley and Swansea City – where he spent 13 years of a colourful 19-year senior career – were among those to pay tribute to a gifted player who won 54 caps for his country.

Elfyn Evans is locked in a fierce battle with WRC title rival Thierry Neuville - with the duo unable to be separated after the opening day of Rally Croatia.

Wrexham may have promotion in the bag but manager Phil Parkinson has a clear warning for any of their new global fanbase who think every season from now on will have a Hollywood ending. The “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary series has mushroomed fan groups of the Reds in the most unlikely dark corners of the football universe.

Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Wrexham could all soon be seeking compensation for changes to the FA Cup that County boss Graham Coughlan has denounced as “disastrous”. The EFL will seek compensation for its clubs over the “frustrating and disappointing” decision to scrap all FA Cup replays from next season.

Cardiff City goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is targeting three wins from their last three games as he looks to secure a spot on the plane for the Copa America this summer. The American has kept four clean sheets in 13 appearances for the Bluebirds, as is eyeing a place in the USA squad this summer, as his country host the tournament in June.

Cardiff Dragons’ Khanyisa Chawane is desperate to help her team enjoy a successful Super League campaign as she continues to erase the memory of her first all-too-brief season in the tournament. The South African international mid-court player has featured in every match so far for the Dragons, who host Surrey Storm on Friday night at the House of Sport.

Neath have reacted badly to being beaten by Cardiff to the remaining place in the planned new 10-team Elite Domestic Competition – appearing to suggest the Welsh Rugby Union came to a biased judgement. The decision by the WRU to add Cardiff to the list has brought an end to a long, and sometimes farcical process that looked like musical chairs.

The player Cardiff Rugby coach Matt Sherratt described as a Rolls Royce will go through the gears for the first time in six months on Friday night. Taulupe Faletau - who broke his arm playing for Wales at the World Cup - will make his comeback in the capital city region’s United Rugby Championship match against Ulster in Belfast.

Welsh youngster Jackson Page will face history-chasing Ronnie O’Sullivan at the start of the World Snooker Championship. The 22-year-old Page, from Ebbw Vale, will share the spotlight as the sport’s best take to the green baize at the Crucible from Saturday, with the winner crowned in Sheffield on Sunday, May 6.

It took Gwennan Hopkins a mere five minutes to make her mark in international rugby. Not many teenagers score on their Test debut, but that’s exactly what the 19-year-old Hopkins did in Cork last weekend as she provided Wales with their only points in a 36-5 defeat.