Sport
Wales quartet bolster Scarlets side for Cardiff Blues rematch

SCARLETS welcome back Wales internationals Johnny McNicholl, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Jake Ball to their starting XV for Friday’s rearranged Guinness PRO14 rematch against Cardiff Blues at Parc y Scarlets (20:00; S4C, Premier Sports).
There are six changes in all to the run-on side, while club skipper Ken Owens is poised to make his first appearance since October. The Wales and British & Irish Lions hooker is named among the replacements after being cleared for action following a shoulder injury.
Behind the scrum, McNicholl comes in for the suspended Liam Williams in the only change to the back division that took the field against the Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium two weeks ago.
The front row changes en bloc with Jones packing down alongside Elias and tight-head prop Javan Sebastian, who replaces the injured Pieter Scholtz.
Ball has made a swift recovery from the knee injury he suffered against the Dragons on New Year’s Day and resumes his second-row partnership with Sam Lousi.
Josh Macleod, this week named as the only uncapped player in Wales’s Six Nations squad, misses out with an ankle niggle so Ed Kennedy slots into the openside spot and links up with Blade Thomson and Sione Kalamafoni the back row.
On the bench, Owens has recovered from the shoulder damage he sustained in round two up in Glasgow. Phil Price, Werner Kruger, Tevita Ratuva and Uzair Cassiem provide the rest of the forwards cover. Kieran Hardy, Angus O’Brien and Steff Hughes make up the remainder of the replacements.
Scarlets v Cardiff Blues (Friday, January 22 (20:00, S4C, Premier Sports)
15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Jonathan Davies (capt), 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Steff Evans; 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Blade Thomson, 7 Ed Kennedy, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.
Reps: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil Price, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Tevita Ratuva, 20 Uzair Cassiem, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Angus O’Brien, 23 Steff Hughes.
Sport
Signed Wales shirts gifted to RNLI go up for auction

FOLLOWING a winning start to the Six Nations Tournament, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have scored a winning try for the RNLI, gifting six signed rugby shirts to help save lives at sea.
Each rugby shirt has been signed by the full WRU squad and are accompanied by a certificate of authentication – a winning prize for any Welsh rugby fan.
To avoid a ruck for the WRU shirts the charity has placed all six signed shirts on an online auction, ensuring a fair game for all who wish to win the golden prize. The auction will be live until Wednesday, March 31, which allows plenty of time for supporters to bid for the team in red.
Each signed shirt includes Wales Captain, Mumbles RNLI supporter and the most capped international player of all time Alun Wyn Jones; as well as Louis Rees-Zammit, the Man of the Match in the nail-biting Scotland v Wales game.
Nick Evans, RNLI Fundraising and Partnership Lead said: ‘On behalf of the charity I would like to say a big thank you to the Welsh Rugby Union for donating these fantastic prizes to the RNLI. RNLI volunteers are on call 24-7 and are often called away from important events such as family celebrations – or international rugby tournaments – to respond to the pager if someone is in trouble at sea.
‘Like all charities, 2020 was a challenging year for the RNLI when all traditional fundraising had to stop – all our shops were closed, there were no collections and all events had to be cancelled. This is why we at the RNLI are so grateful to all the team at WRU for their ongoing support. The auction is now live and we would like to encourage all Wales rugby supporters to throw the RNLI a lifeline and place their bid for the winning prize.’
To place a bid or find out more about the charity auction please visit https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/rnliwru.
Sport
Five subs to be allowed for JD Cymru Premier clubs

THE FAW’s National Leagues Board has confirmed that JD Cymru Premier clubs will be permitted to make five substitutions in matches, in accordance with the Laws of the Game, until the end of the 2020-21 top-flight season.
FIFA extended the use of the rule, which was first introduced following the COVID-19 outbreak, citing “player welfare” as part of the reason for the temporary amendment to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.
FIFA stated that “Some competitions which resumed in 2020 may have a shorter-than-usual recovery/preparation period before the start of their next season.”
“For many competitions, the 2020/21 season will involve matches being played in a condensed period due to a delayed start and the inability to end later than usual because of major international tournaments.”
With the JD Cymru Premier set to restart on March 2, the National Leagues Board has approved the use of the rule in the JD Cymru Premier until the end of the current campaign.
Sport
Haverfordwest County’s remaining phase 1 fixtures released

HAVERFORDWEST County will return to action on Saturday, March 6, with a home game against Cardiff Met University.
The JD Cymru Premier has been granted elite status by the National Sports Group once again and the FAW has announced the rescheduled fixtures.
The first fixture upon the return will see Newtown AFC host Penybont on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 live on Facebook via Sgorio’s platforms.
Bala Town travel to The New Saints on Sgorio on March 6, 2021 with a 5pm kick off.
This will be followed by a full host of fixtures on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
The new calendar sees clubs play their final six matches of Phase One, which is now due to be completed on April 4, 2021.
Haverfordwest County’s remaining fixtures for phase 1 are listed below.
March 6 – 14:30
Haverfordwest County FC v Cardiff Met University FC
March 9 – 19:45
Aberystwyth Town FC v Haverfordwest County FC
March 13 – 14:30
Haverfordwest County FC v The New Saints FC
March 20 – 14:30
Connah’s Quay Nomads FC v Haverfordwest County FC
March 27 – 14:30
Newtown AFC v Haverfordwest County FC
April 2 – 17:00
Penybont FC v Haverfordwest County FC
-
News6 days ago
Police at scene of RTC – officers seeking witnesses
-
News7 days ago
Dale Morgan charged with murder of Judith Rhead, police confirm
-
News5 days ago
Cyclist killed on A40 was serving police officer, force confirms
-
News2 days ago
Milford Haven: Apocalyptic scenes as work truck catches fire in Meyler Crescent
-
News6 days ago
Judith Rhead murder: Police appeal to public for information
-
News5 days ago
Nolton Haven: Man hospitalised after getting into difficulties in sea
-
News5 days ago
Covid-19 vaccination venues and timeline announced for everyone locally over 50
-
News6 days ago
Covid alert level lowered for whole of UK