Dai Sport

Last weekend both Che Hope and Joe Westwood were playing against Connacht for the Dragons in the BKT United Rugby Championship, but this Saturday they will be taking on a different challenge. The two Wales U20 caps will be leading the charge for Newport as they attempt to reach the final of the Indigo Premiership when they host Ebbw Vale at Newport Stadium. To some it may appear to be a step down, but that’s not how either of them see it.

Rob Edwards has promised his Luton Town side will “keep going” after a 1-1 draw with Everton at Kenilworth Road saw them miss the chance to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone. The former Wales defender is battling to keep his club in the top flight and continue flying the flag for his country.

Seven Welsh players have the opportunity to head towards the Premier League on Saturday – although not all of them will make it. The Championship promotion odds are certainly stacked against the Leeds United quartet of Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts.

Luke Rowe has announced he will retire from cycling at the end of the 2024 season, a year earlier than originally planned. The 34-year-old signed a new two-year contract with the Ineos Grenadiers in October last year, but has not raced since suffering a concussion in a crash at the E3 Saxo Classic in March and said that had been a factor in his decision.

Llandovery are the best rugby team in Wales outside of the regional structure and they can prove that status once more this weekend. With none of the four regions in action – having long ago departed the scene of European competition – it gives a welcome opportunity in Wales to shine a light on what else is going on.

Jak Jones secured a solid base from which to chase his debut appearance in the final of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Kyren Wilson and David Gilbert also battled to stalemate at the Crucible.

The Dragons have signed Australian centre Harry Wilson – the son of former Wallabies captain David Wilson – for next season. Just days after announcing the capture of Tongan back row Solomone Funaki, it’s another statement move by the region.

Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds plan to develop the club’s SToK Racecourse home into a stadium with up to 55,000 seats. The Red Dragons will be playing in League One next season after back-to-back promotions and attracting a worldwide fan-base following the success of the FX docuseries ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ and the presence of their Hollywood A-listers.

Geraint Thomas insists he and his Ineos Grenadiers team are primed for a tilt at the Giro d'Italia title on a route that should suit him better than last year's edition. The runner-up in the 2023 Giro, Thomas was leading the race until the mountain time-trial on day 20 in which he was leap-frogged at the last by eventual winner Primoz Roglic.

Jak Jones faces a huge task before his first World Snooker Championship semi-final appearance - persuading his mother to watch. The Welsh potter - the world No 44 - earned the biggest win of his career when he turned an 8-8 overnight score against Judd Trump into a 13-9 victory on Wednesday to reach the last four for the first time.