Sport
Wales looking for third win in a row against England
WALES have won their first two games in the Six Nations Championship and on Saturday, February 27, they put that record on the line against great rivals England.
Having already beaten Ireland and Scotland, the Triple Crown will be on the line for Wales, a feat they last achieved in 2019 when they won the Grand Slam.
That will be incentive enough for Wayne Pivac’s men but to do it against England will make it that little bit sweeter.
With France’s game against Scotland on Sunday in doubt, it will also give the home side a great chance to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Wales do not have any fresh injury concerns going into the England game and it will likely provide a selection headache for Pivac.
George North could be set to make his 100th appearance for Wales if he plays against England, and is currently second in the list of all-time try scorers for his home country.
England lost their opening game of the tournament against Scotland but got back to winning ways with a resounding 41-18 win over Italy.
The 2020 Six Nations and Autumn Cup Champions will be eager to rediscover their winning form which brought them that success but they will not find it easy against Wales.
What happened the last time England visited the Principality Stadium?
Wales last welcomed England to the Principality on February 23, 2019, and it was a game which saw Wales earn a 21-13 victory.
Cory Hill and Josh Adams scored Wales’ tries in that match while Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe added the rest of the points from the boot.
Tom Curry scored England’s only try in that match while Farrell had a 100% success rate with his kicks.
What happened when the sides met in 2020?
It was an absolute classic last year with England triumphing by 33 points to 30 at Twickenham.
Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly and Manu Tuilagi got the tries for England on that day while Owen Farrell had again had a 100% record with the boot.
Justin Tipuric bagged two tries for Wales while Dan Biggar scored their other as the men in red came up short on this occasion.
Of course, the last two meetings between the two sides were played in front of capacity crowds but that will not be a factor this time around, owing to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Could that be a factor in the game or will both sides treat us to an excellent display of rugby?
After the England game, Wales travel to Italy on Saturday, March 13, while England will host France on the same day.
A win for either side this weekend will be crucial; a win for Wales and it sets them up for the Grand Slam while a win for England will reignite their hopes of retaining the Six Nations Championship.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 16:45 and can be seen on S4C as well as the BBC.
ENGLAND
Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, George Martin, Ben Earl, Dan Robson, Max Malins.
WALES
Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Jonathan Davies, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Botham, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Uilisi Halaholo.
Sport
All football in Wales postponed as Storm Darragh threatens severe disruption
THE FAW has announced the postponement of all football matches scheduled for Saturday, December 7, as Storm Darragh is set to bring life-threatening conditions to the country.
The decision follows a rare red weather warning issued by the Met Office, forecasting winds of up to 90mph and heavy rainfall across Wales and parts of southwestern England. This is the first red alert since Storm Isha in January, with forecasters warning of extensive disruption, including potential damage to buildings, power outages, and severe flooding.
An FAW spokesperson said:
“The Met Office has issued red, amber, and yellow weather warnings for the vast majority of Wales due to Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain, causing significant disruption and danger to life.
“It is not safe to drive in such weather, including travelling to and from football matches. Being outside in high winds increases the risk of injury, and the Met Office advises people to stay indoors if possible.
“Clubs have been advised to check for and secure any loose items around their grounds if it can be done safely. This includes bins, furniture, goalposts, and fences.”
Precautions and ongoing assessments
The FAW confirmed that matches scheduled for Friday, December 6, and Sunday, December 8, will be reviewed individually, depending on league policies and updated weather conditions.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for rain in Wales from 3:00pm today until midday tomorrow, alongside two amber warnings for wind on Saturday. Rhondda Cynon Taf, where severe flooding affected between 200 and 300 properties during Storm Bert last month, is among the areas bracing for renewed challenges.
Residents are urged to prepare for potential disruptions and stay informed of weather updates. Storm Darragh’s impact is expected to be one of the most severe weather events in recent months, underscoring the importance of adhering to safety advisories.
Sport
Football: Manderwood Second Division Cup, Round 1 (Nov 30, 2024)
Carew 0 – 7 Neyland
NEYLAND stormed into the next round with an emphatic 7-0 triumph over Carew. Max Bowman-Davies stole the show with a hat-trick, supported by two goals from Alfie Crawford. Joe Gale and Dylan James rounded off the scoring in a match dominated by Neyland from start to finish. Carew struggled to contain their visitors’ relentless attacking display.
Monkton Swifts 3 – 0 Broad Haven
Monkton Swifts advanced comfortably, beating Broad Haven 3-0. Rhys Sture set the tone with an early goal, followed by a strike from Phil John to double the lead. Rudy Poole capped off the win with a penalty, ensuring a clean sheet for the Swifts and a place in the next round.
Fishguard Sports 7 – 0 Solva
Fishguard Sports delivered a commanding performance, crushing Solva 7-0. Ieuan Llewellyn netted twice, while Jack Griffiths, Luke Thomas, Greg Hughes, Anthony Couzens, and Adam Lawrence each added a goal. Solva had no answers to the relentless attack from the home side.
Narberth P-P Johnston
The fixture between Narberth and Johnston was postponed and will be rescheduled.
Sport
Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1 Roundup
Goodwick United 7 – Monkton Swifts 2
GOODWICK UNITED extended their lead at the top of the table with a commanding 7-2 victory over Monkton Swifts. Rhys Dalling was the standout performer, netting four goals, including a stunning solo effort to complete his hat-trick. Goodwick led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Kieran Blundell and Rhys Jones. The second half saw an attacking masterclass as Jonny Horgan added two more before Dalling rounded off the scoring. Monkton Swifts managed a brilliant 25-yard strike from Connor Davies but were unable to contend with Goodwick’s relentless firepower.
Clarbeston Road 4 – Carew 4
A dramatic 4-4 draw unfolded as Carew snatched a stoppage-time equaliser at Clarbeston Road. Marcus Griffiths gave Carew an early lead, but Laurie Haworth and Ben John turned the game in favour of the hosts by half-time. Leon Davies’ brace put Carew back in front, but goals from Matthew Davies and a second from Haworth saw the Road edge ahead once more. Zac Rowell salvaged a crucial point for Carew in the dying seconds, lifting them out of the relegation zone in a pulsating encounter.
Hakin United 2 – St Ishmaels 0
Hakin United climbed to second in the standings with a solid 2-0 victory over St Ishmaels. The Vikings took control early, with Ryan Wilson opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort. Liam Parks doubled the lead with a close-range finish. Despite dominating the game, Hakin couldn’t extend their advantage further. The result pushed St Ishmaels into the relegation zone after a tough outing.
Pennar Robins 3 – Milford United 1
Pennar Robins overturned a first-half deficit to secure a 3-1 win against Milford United. Milford took the lead just before the break through Jack Dyer, despite Pennar dominating possession. Ben Adams equalised early in the second half, followed by a stunning finish from Cameron Brunton to put the hosts ahead. Luke Phillips sealed the victory with a late penalty. Milford goalkeeper Charlie Malloy put in an impressive display, but his heroics couldn’t prevent the defeat.
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