Sport
Wales duo return to boost Scarlets side for Benetton clash

WALES internationals Jake Ball and Ryan Elias have been included in the Scarlets team to take on Benetton for the resumption of Guinness PRO14 action on Saturday (15:00 Premier Sports).
Ball and Elias have been released from Wales’ Six Nations squad to get some game-time during the fallow week of the tournament and are among five personnel changes to the Scarlets starting line-up.
Steff Evans has recovered from a dead leg and returns to the No. 11 jersey, taking his place in a back three that also includes fellow Wales international Johnny McNicholl and Ryan Conbeer.
Tyler Morgan and skipper Steff Hughes continue in midfield, while Sam Costelow and Dane Blacker are again the starting half-backs.
Elias packs down alongside Phil Price and Javan Sebastian in the front row, while Ball starts next to Morgan Jones at lock.
In the back row, Sione Kalamfoni and Jac Morgan have been cleared to play. Kalamafoni has recovered from the head knock sustained at home to Cardiff Blues, while Morgan has overcome a knee injury and is set for his first appearance since the Champions Cup win over Bath in December.
Uzair Cassiem switches from No. 8 to blindside flanker.
On the bench, prop Steff Thomas is set for his PRO14 debut and he joins Marc Jones, the fit-again Pieter Scholtz, Sam Lousi and Ed Kennedy as the forward cover.
Will Homer, Dan Jones and Paul Asquith are the backline subs.
Head coach Glenn Delaney said: “We have had a productive few weeks since the Leinster game. It is important that we are patient and we have to build ourselves into the contest, which we did well in a tight affair in horrendous conditions out in Treviso. We need to get the right level of application and we need to execute.
“There is a huge amount to play for in these final four games. Champions Cup places are on the line and it is going to be a real scrap in our Conference.”
Scarlets v Benetton (Parc y Scarlets, 15:00, Premier Sports)
15 Johnny McNicholl; 14 Ryan Conbeer, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Steff Hughes (capt), 11 Steff Evans; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Phil Price, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Morgan Jones, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.
Reps: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Pieter Scholtz, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Ed Kennedy, 21 Will Homer, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Paul Asquith.
Sport
Double podium finish for local rally driver

A 20-HOUR round trip to Machrihanish Airbase in Campbeltown, Scotland, proved more than worthwhile for 17-year-old rally driver Henri Cynwyl, who returned to Wales with two podium finishes.
Henri, from Ponthirwaun, claimed third place on both days of competition in the British Junior Championship and the 1000cc Ecosse Challenge, strengthening his lead in the F1000 British Junior Championship.

The two-day Mach1 Stages Rally was organised by Dunfermline Car Club, with 31 F1000 members taking to the fast tarmac stages of the airbase, cheered on by a warm Scottish welcome.
“I’m really pleased,” said Henri, who was co-driven by Geraint Evans from Bala. “The stages were long, and I much prefer long stages to short ones as I get into a flow. The fast tarmac really suited my car.”
Now in his second and final year in the championship, Henri is backed by a number of local businesses from the Cardigan area.
“I’m so grateful to all of my sponsors and team,” he said. “The car is prepared by Castle Motors in Newcastle Emlyn, and we’ve just welcomed Pembrokeshire College as one of my new sponsors for 2025.”
Henri is currently undertaking an apprenticeship as an electrician with both Pembrokeshire College and DJ Hoyland.
The next round of the F1000 Championship will take place at Wheaton Barracks in Blackpool at the start of August.
Sport
Kilgetty AFC Women score new Lucozade kit thanks to Tenby Post Office Stores

Local nomination supports grassroots football in Pembrokeshire
KILGETTY AFC Women’s Team has received a brand-new Lucozade Sport Kit, thanks to a nomination by Tenby Post Office Stores and local supporter Fiona Malone.
The donation includes reusable drinks bottles, bibs, a football carrier bag, a kit bag, and bottles of Lucozade Sport – part of a UK-wide initiative that saw only ten teams selected to receive the sports kits.
‘A natural choice’
Fiona Malone, who nominated the team, said: “We were really happy to nominate Kilgetty AFC Women’s football team when we were asked by Lucozade. My son plays for Kilgetty Under-13s, and the whole club is incredibly inclusive, so when Lucozade asked, we immediately thought of the women’s team.”
The kit was officially handed over on Sunday (July 13) during the club’s Chwarae FOR HER Wales v England watch party at Kilgetty AFC Football Club, Kingsmoor Sports Club.
Team thanks local backers
A spokesperson for Kilgetty AFC Women said: “We are very grateful to receive all of the items from Tenby Post Office Stores and Lucozade. We particularly appreciate the reusable drinks bottles and Lucozade Sport drinks – we’ve been bringing our own, or using the men’s bottles. The bibs are great, and the new bags will be really useful. Thank you!”
Backed by the community
The women’s team continues to grow as part of the wider female football movement in Wales, supported by local businesses and groups. Ongoing kit sponsorship for the girls’ teams has come from Ty Francis and New York Welsh, while Tesco Stronger Starts funding and FAW grants have supported equipment and coach education.
The women’s team has also received training kit sponsorship from Kilgetty WI, and playing kit and volunteer support from Saundersfoot Rotary.
Each of these donations, including the new Lucozade kit, is helping transform grassroots football – building players’ skills, boosting confidence, and creating a stronger sense of belonging through sport.
Community
Rugby stars to headline community talk in Newport, Pembrokeshire

THIS Wednesday evening, July 16 at 7pm, join Welsh TV personalities Rhodri and Lucy Owen for a bilingual Q&A with international rugby stars Josh Macleod, Stephen Varney, and Macs Page at Canolfan Bethlehem (formerly the Old Bethlehem Chapel) in Newport, Pembrokeshire.
The evening, part of the Lecol Heroes series, will offer a unique opportunity to hear from these rising rugby stars as they share their journeys from local lads to international pros. The trio—who all have strong connections to the Pembrokeshire area—will discuss their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the world of rugby, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their careers.
The event will be hosted by Rhodri and Lucy Owen, and attendees will have the chance to ask questions to the players. The event is open to the public, with tickets priced at £10 for adults and £5 for secondary school students.
Canolfan Bethlehem, a vital community venue in the heart of Newport, has quickly become a focal point for local events. After the former chapel was bought and renovated by a dedicated group of locals in 2024, it reopened as a community centre in February 2025. This will be one of the many events held at the venue, which continues to grow in popularity.
Don’t miss this unique evening filled with rugby passion, pride, and a few laughs along the way. Join us at Capel Bethlehem, Upper West Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire this Wednesday at 7pm!

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