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Michael Cheika emerges as favourite to replace Warren Gatland

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Irish interim also in contention for permanent Wales role

MICHAEL CHEIKA has emerged as the 3/1 favourite with BoyleSports to succeed Warren Gatland as the permanent Head Coach of the Wales Rugby Union team as the latest odds were revealed on potential candidates.

It was announced on Tuesday that Gatland was leaving his position in the wake of Wales’ challenging start to the Six Nations, which has extended their record-breaking losing streak to 14 international matches.

The 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome last Saturday marked their first loss in the Italian capital since 2007 and left them facing the prospect of their second successive wooden spoon as they lie rooted to the bottom of the Six Nations table.

Cheika, who has previously coached Australia and Argentina at international level, is stepping down from his role as Head Coach at the Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, with the Midlands side currently sitting fourth in the Premiership table.

Matt Sherratt, who was appointed by the WRU to see out the Six Nations campaign, is only 4/1 third favourite to stay on after the tournament and take the job on a permanent basis, and trails Cheika and Ireland’s interim Head Coach Simon Easterby in the early betting.

Easterby is due to return to the Irish backroom team when Andy Farrell completes his Lions coaching duties and will lead the Six Nations favourites when they attempt to keep their Grand Slam prospects on track with a trip to Cardiff next weekend.

But the former flanker is now second favourite at 3/1 for the Wales hotseat and is believed to be a long-term target for the WRU along with Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith, who is also prominent in the list of potential appointments at 4/1.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Michael Cheika is prominent in the scrum and punters are clearly well aware of his impending availability. But the prospect of Wales raiding a Six Nations rival remains a very possible outcome according to the latest odds, with Ireland’s Simon Easterby thought to be high on the list of permanent targets.”

Next Permanent Head Coach of Wales

3/1         Michael Cheika

7/2         Simon Easterby

4/1         Matt Sherratt

9/2         Franco Smith

8/1         Stuart Lancaster

9/1         Brad Mooar

10/1       Graham Rowntree

10/1       Steve Tandy

12/1       Frans Ludeke

12/1       Vern Cotter

12/1       Dai Young

16/1       Jonathan Humphreys

16/1       Dwayne Peel

16/1       Rob Howley

16/1       Shaun Edwards

20/1       Joe Schmidt

20/1       Adam Jones

Sport

Division 3 (West) & Division 4 (West A) – Weekend Rugby Round-Up

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Haverfordwest 64 – Amman United 24
HAVERFORDWEST ran in ten tries to claim a dominant home win over Amman United. Winger Scott Candler crossed for a hat-trick, while Jack Evans (2), Jetman Temaki, Mike Griffiths, Matty Phillips, Liam Eaton, and Guy Barrons also touched down. Amman fought back late, earning a bonus point with two tries apiece from Dylan Matthews and Rhydian Jones.

Pontyberem 14 – Cardigan 32
Cardigan controlled proceedings to secure a bonus-point win over winless Pontyberem. Aaron Evans grabbed a brace, with further scores from Aaron Tomkinson, John Lumb, and Iwan Toft. Shaun Leonard added two conversions and a penalty. Pontyberem responded with tries from Jamie Jones and Daf Lloyd, both converted by Mike Sauro.

Narberth Athletic 27 – Pembroke Dock Harlequins 22
Narberth Athletic held off a spirited Quins comeback to remain second in Division 4A after a thrilling Friday night encounter. Brad Cramb crossed twice, with further tries from Declan Cole and Jac Norcross. Shane Rossiter kicked two conversions and a penalty. Jack Price (2), Owain Turner, and Craig Barnett replied for the visitors, with Ben Hathaway converting once.

St Davids 77 – Llanybydder 22
St Davids produced a 13-try blitz to overpower Llanybydder in a one-sided contest. Harvey Lavin, Nathan Foster, Mike Gurney, George Raymond, and Ben Perkins all bagged braces, with Kiron Mason, Morgan Griffiths, and Bob Froy also on the scoresheet. Llanybydder salvaged a bonus point with four tries, including two from Steffan Griffiths.

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Seasiders and Seagulls soar with big wins in Division One and Two clashes

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Division One (West)Tenby run riot with ten-try demolition of Felinfoel
Tenby United 64 – Felinfoel 19

TENBY UNITED kept up the pressure on Division One (West) leaders Aberystwyth with a ruthless 64-19 victory over Felinfoel at Heywood Lane on Saturday.

The Seasiders delivered a scintillating attacking display, crossing for ten tries in a match that underlined their title credentials. Tenby raced into a 31-7 lead at the break and never let up, blending pace, precision, and power throughout.

Dan Colley and Gwion Jones were among the standout performers—Colley scoring twice and Jones bagging a hat-trick from the wing. Jake Roberts also crossed twice, while George Rossiter and the returning Toby Smith added their names to the scoresheet. A penalty try opened proceedings.

Half-backs Dai Jones and Lloyd Thomas controlled the tempo brilliantly, with Thomas converting six of the ten tries in a composed display from the tee.

Felinfoel showed some resistance, with captain Elliot Dawe grabbing a brace of tries from the wing and full-back Tom Cadell powering over for another. Fly-half Tom Allen added two conversions, but the visitors were outgunned by Tenby’s relentless tempo and attacking ambition.

The result keeps Tenby firmly in the title race and sends a clear message as the season heads into its final stretch.

Tenby United team:
Geraint Jones; Matthew Lewis, Liam Price, Toby Smith, Gwion Jones; Lloyd Thomas, Dai Jones; Ethan Morgan, Kyle Rossiter, Rob Luly; Alex Jenkins, Tom Barrass (capt); Jack Brown, Max Brindley, Dan Colley.
Replacements: George Rossiter, Luke Dedman, Jake Roberts, Dom Colman, Jordan Asparassa, Max Boswell.


Division Two (West)
Captain Lewis leads Seagulls to seven-try rout
Fishguard & Goodwick 67 – Betws 12

FISHGUARD & GOODWICK put in a dominant display to sweep aside Betws 67-12 at home, with new captain Rhys Lewis marking the occasion with a hat-trick from the back row.

The Seagulls were in fine form from the outset, racing to a 41-0 lead by half-time. Their sharp handling, quick recycling and clinical finishing were too much for Betws, who struggled to keep pace.

Lewis led from the front with a superb treble, while Max Jones crossed twice. Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, and Ed Rathbone also got on the scoresheet. Mark Jones was faultless with the boot, kicking eight conversions and adding two penalties for a personal haul of 27 points.

Betws showed heart in the second half, registering two tries through Jonathan Hier, one of which was converted by Andrew Gosnold, but the damage had long been done.

The emphatic win highlighted the growing depth and confidence in Fishguard’s ranks, with young leaders like Lewis showing they can deliver on the big stage.

Fishguard & Goodwick try scorers: Rhys Lewis (3), Max Jones (2), Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, Ed Rathbone
Conversions/Penalties: Mark Jones (8 cons, 2 pens)
Betws try scorers: Jonathan Hier (2)
Conversion: Andrew Gosnold (1)

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Manderwood Pembrokeshire League – Division 1 Round-Up

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Merlins Bridge edge Kilgetty in tight encounter

Merlins Bridge leapfrogged Kilgetty into seventh place with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Kingsmoor. Hayden Dimond opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard free-kick, before Jason Griffiths doubled the lead early in the second half. Kilgetty hit back quickly through Richard Tebbutt, but the Wizards held firm to take all three points.

Swifts see off Carew to climb fourth

Monkton Swifts picked up their tenth win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Carew. Connor Davies opened the scoring in the first half, and substitute Jason Finnegan sealed the win late on. Carew remain third from bottom, still in danger as the season nears its conclusion.

Hakin overcome battling Pennar

Hakin United defeated a spirited Pennar Robins side 3-1 at the Obs. Shane Walsh teed up Ashley Bevan for the opener, but Pennar responded through Ben Adams. After the break, Bevan and Liam Parks combined for Hakin’s second, before Parks added a third to secure the win for the Vikings.

Tenby strike late to beat Tish

Tenby claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over St Ishmaels at the Clicketts. Joey Leahy fired the hosts ahead early on, but Tish levelled through Finley Armstrong. The visitors were reduced to ten men late in the game, and in stoppage time Jerome Williams struck the winner. A vital goal in Tenby’s fight for survival – and one that Milford United would have celebrated as the relegation battle intensifies.

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