Dai Sport

European rugby used to arrive with a fanfare that sounded like the brass band section which once accompanied Shenkin the regimental goat on Wales’ international days. A bit old-fashioned, maybe, but you knew it was going to be worth hanging around to watch the action.

Cardiff City boss Omer Riza insists he will have money to spend in order to bolster his squad during the January transfer window. Riza, who had been serving as the Bluebirds’ interim manager, was officially appointed on a contract running until the end of the season on Thursday.

Taine Basham is all set to join the Dragons centurion club when his side hosts Montpellier in Round 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade. The Welsh international back row man made his debut six years ago when he faced the Scarlets against Scarlets in January 2018.

Cardiff City have appointed interim manager Omer Riza as boss on a contract until the end of the season. The Bluebirds announced the move on Thursday prior to Riza’s 13th match in charge at home to Watford on Saturday. Riza took over in September following the dismissal of former manager Erol Bulut, when the club were bottom of the Championship with just one point from their opening six matches.

A new training facility has been hailed as a “game changer” by the Welsh grass roots rugby club which has benefited from the project. Kenfig Hill RFC, in the Ospreys region, was selected from more than 30 entries as winners of the BKT Power Zone competition.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin knows he and his Soputhampton team are under intense pressure after fans tunred on them following their latest defeat. Martin – who quit the Swans 18 months ago and took Saints up into the Premier League – is under the cosh with his team rock bbottom and adrift after a 5-1 home defeat to Chelse.

Sometimes it pays to look beyond the obvious as Welsh footballl seems to be proving with both Craig Bellamy and Rhian Wilkinson. The former is still unbeaten after being named men’s national senior coach six games ago, while the latter is heading for the Euros next summer with the senior women.

Tiger Woods hopes American golfers get five million dollars each to play in the Ryder Cup next September and give the money to charity. Players – including Welsh stars like Jamie Donaldson, Phil Price, Ian Woosnam and Brian Huggett - have competed in the Ryder Cup for nearly a century without receiving appearance fees, but that could change for the 2025 contest at Bethpage Black in New York.

Joey Williams had a sleepless night after leading Coleg Y Cymoedd to an amazing 49-46 semi-final win over Ysgol Glantaf to reach Thursday evening’s WSC U18 Rugby final against reigning champions Llandovery College at the Principality Stadium. Now, the scrum-half is hoping to have a peaceful night on the eve of the big day out in the Welsh capital without the nerves getting the better of his slumber.

Wales fans will have to wait until December 16 to find out their group opponents at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. The last seven places at the tournament in Switzerland have been decided by the play-offs, with Wales reaching the first major tournament finals in their history after overcoming the Republic of Ireland.