Wales

France reprimanded after chaos

The tournament organisers said on Friday that its Untoward Incident Review Group had concluded France failed to comply with the "HIA (head injury assessment) protocol and/or the relevant laws of the game."

It added, however, that there was "no clear evidence" of any intent to obtain a competitive advantage. France won the game 20-18 with a try scored 20 minutes after the end of normal time.

Serbia 1 Wales 1: Mitrovic denies Coleman's men again

Wales have not reached a World Cup since 1958 and they remain four points behind their opponents at the Group D summit after goals from Aaron Ramsey and Mitrovic.

Although Wales' winless run goes on without suspended star man Gareth Bale, they will surely ruefully reflect on the opportunities passed up in four consecutive draws prior to visiting Belgrade - rather than a hard-fought point here - if they fail to close the gap to Serbia.

The unwanted streak includes a draw secured by Mitrovic's late header for Serbia in Cardiff in November.

World Rugby U20 Championship: Wales 54-20 Samoa

Samoa were ahead 6-0 before Wales responded through Jared Rosser's try.

Aled Ward, Sean Moore and two tries from Shane Lewis-Hughes gave Wales a commanding lead

Alexander Pohla-Murray and Setu Enoka crossed for Samoa but Dane Blacker, Will Griffiths and Joe Goodchild sealed a bonus-point win.

Wales had lost their opening two matches against Australia and England in Pool A.

Samoa U 20 makes 3 changes for clash against Wales

Alexander Pohla, who scored twice against Australia, moves to the left wing to accommodate the return of Ricky Pauli Ene at full-back with Godinet Tinei given the number nine jersey.

Samoa takes on Wales in its last pool game of the World Rugby U 20 Championship in Tablisi, Georgia on Thursday (local time)

Wales coach Jason Strange has freshened up his starting line-up for the match that they must win – ideally with a bonus point to avoid relegation to the second-tier U20 Trophy next year.

All Blacks eye Samoa in Lions warm-up

A deal hasn't yet been agreed but the Weekend Herald understands there is growing confidence among all parties that on Friday, June 16, the All Blacks will play Samoa in Auckland - with Tonga versus Wales as the curtain raiser.

The All Blacks are keen to play a meaningful contest before the first test against the Lions on June 24. They are conscious the Lions will have had six tough tour games before that first test, while the All Blacks will have had two weeks of training, but no opportunity to play.

Wales await word on bite claim

Match citing commissioner John Montgomery has until Tuesday morning (NZ Time) to decide if any incident should be reported and a disciplinary hearing convened.

North complained to referee Wayne Barnes that he had been bitten in the 12th minute of added time in last Sunday's test, which took 100 minutes to complete.

He pointed to a bite mark on his arm, but after a lengthy delay Barnes decided the video replays were inconclusive.

France sink Wales after chaotic end

The clock showed 99 minutes and 55 seconds when replacement flanker Chouly dotted the ball down after nine penalty scrums, and Camille Lopez slotted over the conversion as France saved their place in the second pot ahead of the 2019 World Cup draw.

Wales had victory in their sights when Leigh Halfpenny's sixth penalty gave them a 18-13 lead but France won a five-metre penalty scrum with one minute left.

Wales end Ireland's Six Nations hopes

North had been warned about his form by defence coach Shaun Edwards in the build-up to the game and responded by demonstrating his quality and power as Wales scored three unanswered tries in a hard-worked win.

RNZ reports Wales led 8-6 at half time.

Jamie Roberts clinched the game with Wales' third try in the 78th minute.

Ireland's New Zealand coach Joe Schmidt said his side paid a high price for a yellow card handed to first five Johnny Sexton which saw Wales score 10 points in six minutes either side of half-time.

World Cup worries for Wales

The next Rugby World Cup is two-and-a-half years away but it is suddenly looming large for the Welsh after a run of eight losses in its last 13 internationals, two of which have come in the Six Nations against England and Scotland.

Wales has slumped to No 7 in the World Rugby rankings and could plunge to ninth place with losses to Ireland in Cardiff on Friday (Saturday NZ time) and in France on the final weekend. That would mean going into the draw for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in May out of the top-eight seeds and facing the prospect of playing two top rivals in the pool stage.

Fifa fines England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland over poppies

England and Scotland players wore armbands featuring the symbol when they met at Wembley on 11 November.

Wales and Northern Ireland's respective games featured displays on the pitch or in the stands to mark the event.

England's Football Association will appeal against the fine of 45,000 Swiss francs (£35,311), with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland yet to decide.

Scotland and Wales were both fined 20,000 Sfr (£15,694), and Northern Ireland 15,000 Sfr (£11,770).