Dai Sport

Welsh coaching guru Osian Roberts will spend this summer watching the seeds he has planted across Europe come into full bloom. The man who shaped the coaching careers of Cesc Fabregas, Mikel Arteta, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry has proven he is no mere blackboard technician by guiding Italian club Como into Serie A.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin expressed his gratitude and acknowledged he was not a “sexy appointment” after guiding Southampton to the Premier League with a precious 1-0 win over Leeds at Wembley. Adam Armstrong struck midway through the first half to haunt Leeds again with his 24th goal of the campaign and it proved enough to send Saints back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Geraint Thomas earned a second straight podium finish as Tadej Pogacar wrapped up overall victory and Tim Merlier won the 21st and final stage of the Giro d'Italia in Rome. Pogacar will now turn his attention to claiming a third Tour de France crown in July and becoming the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win both that event and the Giro in the same season.

Aled Davies won the 10th world title of his glittering para career after claiming his sixth successive F63 shot put gold in Kobe.

A late crash gave Geraint Thomas a scare in his bid for a place on the overall podium at the Giro d’Italia. Andrea Vendrame soloed to victory from a breakaway on stage 19 of the race in Sappada after Thomas hit the tarmac.

Glamorgan benefited from some inconsistent Leicestershire bowling as they finished on 352 for 8 on day one of their Vitality County Championship match at Leicester after being put in on a pitch as green as the unprepared strips next to it. With leading run-scorer Colin Ingram rested, Eddie Byrom (86) and Kiran Carlson (80) were the chief beneficiaries as Leicestershire conceded cheap runs in the first half of the day.

Cardiff Dragons believe they can follow the lead of London Pulse and attract a diverse new fan base by switching home venues to a bigger venue. Dragons are away to Pulse on Saturday at the Copper Box Arena, with the Welsh club having already played their final home game at their regular House of Sport location in Cardiff.

Wales manager Rob Page rarely talks about club allegiances but there must be a fair chance he will be wearing white this weekend. Page often stresses the need for his players to be playing at the highest level, in the Premier League, in order for them to be accustomed to the quality required for international football.

Cardiff skipper Liam Belcher led his side to a memorable first win of the year in Durban last weekend and has now set his sights on delivering a huge ‘Thank You’ to the fans on Judgement Day. A year ago, Cardiff pipped the Ospreys not only to the Welsh Shield, but also to the final place in the Investec Champions Cup with a superb 38-21 win that enabled them to finish as ‘top dogs’ in Wales in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Llandovery head coach Euros Evans believes the new Super Rygbi Cymru tournament will create players who are driven by long-term ambition - rather than a short-term dash for cash. Evans - who has turned The Drovers into the best club side underneath regional level - admits the new salary cap will mean players will not be making much money from the semi-professional game.