I hadn't expected to get Roger Federer, Lionel Messi and Taulupe Faletau in the same article, but you never know what the week is going to bring!
nation.cymru/sport/taulupe-…

Wales legend Taulupe Faletau will make his long-awaited return to action for Cardiff Rugby in Friday night’s URC clash with Ulster Rugby in Belfast ✍️Simon Thomas Rugby nation.cymru/sport/taulupe-…

Here’s my piece on the long-awaited return of Taulupe Faletau, with comments from Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt and fellow back row Mackenzie Martin.
It will be so good to see him out on the field again.
👇 ✍️
nation.cymru/sport/taulupe-…

💥Team Release💥

The starting XV for tomorrow’s clash 🔥

Find the full team release article on rb.gy/60pt54
⏰: 20H35 CAT

@vodacom #URC #GLAvSHA

Leinster have confirmed they'll play the majority of their home games at the Aviva Stadium for the 2024/25 season, with Croke Park also hosting several games.

The RDS Arena is undergoing redevelopment so Leinster won't play there next season.

Another plug for my interview with Glasgow and Scotland wing Kyle Rowe. It was a fascinating tale to tell. unitedrugby.com/latest/news/ky…

𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒/𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧

Season Ticket Renewals open next Tuesday (23 April)

Read more 👉 bit.ly/4aTHYau

#FromTheGroundUp

Taine Plumtree is in line to make his comeback for the Scarlets against Edinburgh this weekend. The Welsh international back row forward has been sidelined for some six months following shoulder surgery.

🫡 The men to have led us into battle on the most occasions over the years

🏠 Our home - ready to make it a fortress once more tomorrow night?

Long-read on player payments down English rugby union’s pyramid. A fascinating, often murky subject.

💬 Swirling gossip
💷 £300 per game at level 8
🤝 A £6k transfer fee at level 5
🛏️ ~£10k in cash under a bed
🤠 “More than the Wild West” telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/20…

Welcome, Geoff 👋

#Wallabies

The Ospreys are hopeful Wales hooker Dewi Lake may make his comeback from injury in next week’s game against the Bulls in Pretoria. Fellow Wales forward Jac Morgan is also out in South Africa with the region, but is unlikely to be involved.

87 - Antoine Dupont has made the most carries (87) and offloads (18) of any player in the Investec Champions Cup this season and has also registered the most try assists in the competition in 2023/24 (9). Nomination.

EPCR Player of the Year Nominees:

Courtney Lawes
Caelan Doris
Fin Smith
Jamison Gibson-Park
James Lowe
Antoine Dupont
Dan Sheehan
Marcus Smith

A busy day with three Welsh regional press conferences, so plenty of updates to follow.

Cardiff RFC have been confirmed as the 10th team in the WRU's new Elite Development Competition which kicks off next season.
Beating Neath for the final spot, they join RGC, Swansea, Bridgend, Llandovery, Ebbw Vale, Carmarthen Q, Newport, Aberavon & Pontypool

🚨 The make-up of new elite domestic competition now complete 👇

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Clybiau’r cynghrair domestig elît wedi eu cadarnhau

In addition to the long-awaited return of Taulupe Faletau, there's also a first start since early November for the fit-again Theo Cabango, while Argentine scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou will make his debut off the bench following his move from the Dragons.