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      All sporting events in Wales to be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day to help combat growing Covid cases

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      ALL sporting events in Wales will be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day.The continued surge in Covid cases across the country has led the Welsh Government to put in place the blanket ban.
      Cardiff Blues vs Scarlets will be played on Boxing Day with no fans in the stadiumCredit: Getty
      Cardiff fans will not be able to celebrate their team scoring at home for the time beingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The current rate is just under 550 cases per 100,000 people as the Omicron variant causes chaos.
      Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “Sporting events over the Christmas period are one of the big highlights of the year.
      “Unfortunately, the new Omicron variant is a significant development in the pandemic and could cause a large number of infections.
      “We need to do everything we can to protect people’s health and control the spread of this awful virus.
      “The advice is clear – we need to act now in response to the threat of Omicron. We are giving people as much notice of these decisions as we can.
      “Crowds will come back as soon as possible. We want everyone to be here to enjoy their favourite sports.”
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      A £3million Spectator Sports Fund is being made available to clubs and venues affected by the latest restrictions, which are being reviewed ‘regularly’.
      The ruling, announced at midnight, will affect various sports including football, rugby union and horse racing.
      Cardiff City were due to host Coventry on Boxing Day but that game has already been called off due to Covid cases in the Bluebirds’ squad.
      Similarly, Newport County vs Forest Green Rovers is also off while Swansea fans can make the trip to South London to watch their side take on Millwall.
      But they will not be permitted entry when they host Luton three days later.
      Both Cardiff and Swansea have home ties in the FA Cup third round which will now be played with empty stands.
      The crunch United Rugby Championship clash between Cardiff Blues and Scarlets on Boxing Day is also affected, while the other Welsh derby between Ospreys and Dragons is already off.
      More than 6,000 tickets had been sold for Monday’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow – but the turnstiles will not open for that, either.

      In England, however, things are continuing as planned for the time being.
      The Premier League clubs voted against a festive circuit breaker on Monday.
      Teams will have to fulfil a fixture as long as they have 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper available for selection – with Under-23s players drafted in as cover if necessary.
      But reports in The Times suggest the top flight could follow Wales’ lead with matches played behind closed doors again soon.
      The Welsh Grand National will have no spectators when the horses set off on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      The Mo Salah of rugby, Adam Radwan, ready to produce more magic for England

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      MO SALAH’S rugby equivalent was playing in front of a handful of people outside of Middlesbrough when Eddie Jones became England boss.But in two weeks’ time the ‘Egyptian Prince’, Adam Radwan, could be hot-stepping his way across the Twickenham turf in front of 82,000.
      Adam Radwan is the quickest player in the Premiership and scores for fun – just like Egyptian star Mo Salah
      Like Liverpool’s Ballon d’Or hopeful, Newcastle Falcons winger Radwan has been scoring for fun since he burst on to the Premiership scene last season.
      The 23-year-old, whose tailor-turned-chef dad comes from Port Said on the Mediterranean coast, even bagged a hat-trick on his international debut against Canada this summer.
      However, a full-blown England Test against Tonga, Australia and South Africa next month would be even bigger for his fans in both North Africa and the north east.
      Radwan said: “Most of my family are in England and it’s only my dad and his side who are Egyptian.
      “They had probably never heard of rugby until I started playing it.
      “I am proud to have the roots that I have got. But I am very English.
      “I was born in England in a little village in Yorkshire and have lived here all my life — so I am an Englishman.”

      Radwan, one of four Falcons in Jones’ latest squad, was dumped by Newcastle as a teen.
      Boss Dean Richards then picked him up again when a canny scout tipped him off about a local lad scoring tries for fun at Billingham, just north of Middlesbrough.
      And after a knee ligament injury ruled Anthony Watson out of the autumn internationals and Six Nations, everything is falling into place for the new Red Rose rocket.
      “I knew I was good enough to be a professional rugby player, I just didn’t know if it would be for Newcastle or how long it would take to get back into their set-up.
      “But I was pretty confident I was capable of still doing it.
      “Releasing me was definitely the right decision. They stuck by their word.
      “They said that if I went away and worked on certain things that I wouldn’t be far away and they would be back in touch. 
      “The path I’ve taken has helped me get where I am at the minute.”
      Not only has Radwan had to rise up through the ranks twice, but he’s also had to rebuild his running style.
      Despite being the quickest player in English rugby, he reckons he can get even faster as he no longer shuffles across the turf.
      He added: “There’s definitely still improvements to be made. I still aim to get quicker.
      “I didn’t use to lift my feet when I was running. I just kind of scuttled along the floor.
      “Lifting my knees up a bit more and getting a bit more force through the floor was a big one.
      “At first it was a little bit strange because you’ve got to change the way you’ve been running for a while.
      “I looked at a clip recently and now I’m running totally differently. But I don’t really feel it now. It’s just the way I run now.”
      Marcus Smith told he can be England’s ‘bus driver’ after Eddie Jones reveals his 34-man squad for autumn internationals at Twickenham More

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      Wales call up uncapped teenager Christ Tshiunza, 19, for autumn Tests while he was still playing for university team

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      WALES are ready to unleash the latest phenomenon from their ‘school of champions’.Powerhouse lock Christ Tshiunza is another graduate of Whitchurch High School in Cardiff — the breeding ground for rugby legend Sam Warburton, Tour de France and Olympics winner Geraint Thomas, and Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale.
      Tshiunza has been called up to represent Wales in the autumn internationals despite still being in UniCredit: Rex
      Tshiunza, 19, has been fast-tracked into Wayne Pivac’s 38-man rugby squad for the Autumn internationals.
      The teenager got the news as he was preparing to play for Exeter University against Cardiff University.
      Now his next match could be for the Six Nations holders against world champions South Africa.
      Tshiunza’s only previous experience of top-level rugby has been via four brief appearances off the bench for Exeter Chiefs.
      The Premiership side were so convinced of his star potential that they signed him to a £40,000-a-year contract while he was still a schoolboy.
      Tshiunza arrived in Wales aged seven, after his parents left war-torn Congo.

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      He initially made his mark as a sprinter and a high-jumper — but as he grew bigger was persuaded to take up rugby.
      As he plays for an English club, the 6ft 7in, 17½st ace is not eligible for Wales’ first autumn series clash against New Zealand on October 30 because it falls outside of the usual international window.
      But he will be available for matches with South Africa, Fiji and Australia next month.
      Dragons head coach Pivac said: “By selecting him we’re looking at the here and now but also at World Cup 2023.
      “He brings something nobody else in the country probably has in terms of height and athleticism. He has all the physical attributes to play at this level.”
      Klay Rooney scores amazing tag rugby try as Man Utd legend Wayne’s son swaps sports More

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      World Cup winner Martin Johnson calls for cardiac arrest training across sport after Christian Eriksen’s Euros collapse

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      MARTIN JOHNSON thinks Christian Eriksen’s brush with death at Euro 2020 shows how vital it is that anyone involved with sport has training to deal with sudden cardiac arrest.Dane Eriksen survived because of quick thinking by skipper Simon Kjaer and the medics on duty in Copenhagen when he collapsed against Iceland.
      England legend Martin Johnson has called for cardiac arrest training across sportCredit: PA
      Christian Eriksen after his cardiac arrest scareCredit: AFP
      But around 12 people aged 14-35 die from similar incidents every WEEK.
      And England rugby legend Johnson, patron of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, marked Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome awareness week with a call for nationwide change — including CPR and defibrillator training.
      Johnson said: “We’re talking about 45 minutes to an hour of training but that could save a life when the worst thing happens in front of you.
      “CPR is simple to learn and you never know when it might be needed.”
      UK Coaching offers a free e-learning course, funded by Sport England, St John Ambulance and the Trust.
      Johnson is the only English captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, leading Sir Clive Woodward’s 2003 heroes.

      Red Rose legend Johnno warned England’s strugglers they are running out of time to prove they have what it takes.
      And while his own spell as England coach ended after their 2011 World Cup quarter-final exit against France, his voice will still carry weight with current boss Eddie Jones.
      Johnson, 51, said: “Results over the last year and in the Six Nations have been nowhere near what they should be. Poor performances.
      “Losing three Home Nations games in a season is just not where England should be.
      “Good teams find ways to win games — they have guys who see what’s not working and what they need to change.
      “They don’t need to panic or throw everything at them.
      “CPR is simple to learn and you never know when it might be needed.”Rugby World Cup winner Martin Johnson calls for cardiac arrest training across sport
      “But change the lineout or the scrum on the hoof, stop giving penalties away, start doing this or that because it’s not working.
      “The good teams iron out those dips, dig in and find a way.
      “So even if they’re on a flat day, or someone has made a howler, good teams don’t let it kill them.
      “England haven’t been that in these last 18 months and they need to find it again quickly.”
      Johnson — patron of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, set up in honour of a 14-year-old boy who collapsed and died of sudden cardiac arrest in 2012 — does not want too much pressure on the rookies.
      They include fly-half Marcus Smith, hooker Gabriel Oghre and prop Bevan Rodd, named in Jones’ latest training squad.
      ‘You’ve not made it when you get picked for England’
      Johnson added: “If you bring guys in, you’ve got to give them the best chance to be successful, which is normally with some experience around them.
      “I was lucky. I was in an experienced team. We weren’t all looking at each other asking how to do it.
      “So you have to manage them into the team — but then they have to be smart enough themselves.
      “The guys that do well are the ones that get it and work out where they need to improve their game in two or three matches.
      “You’ve not made it when you get picked for England.
      “You’ve made it when you can look back and say, ‘I played well for England — I had a good career’.”
      Christian Eriksen sends touching video message of support to a nine-year-old girl ahead of her heart operation More

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      Warren Gatland to move Lions match forward an hour to avoid clash with England’s potential Euro 2020 semi-final

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      LIONS Boss Warren Gatland has agreed to move their mid-week game against The Sharks to set-up a potential mid-week marathon of sport.Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are looking to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 at the same time as the Lions kick-off in Johannesburg.
      Sports fans can now watch the Lions and potentially England’s Euro 2020 semi-final
      The second game of the tour in South Africa is due to kick-off at 7pm UK time.
      But that clashes with a possible huge showdown for England.
      So TV bosses both here and back at home have come together to allow changes to give sports fans around the world a huge weekday hit.
      SunSport understands that talks are on-going between Lions suits, SkySports and SuperSport in South Africa.
      An insider said: “It’s a decision with the fans best interests at heart; it ensures everyone can watch both games.”
      Gatland’s squad are huge football fans and in Jersey players from the home nations watched England’s group game with Scotland.
      They also managed to watch England’s huge 2-0 win over fierce rivals Germany who they beat in a tournament knock-out game for the first time in 55-years.
      The likes of England’s Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler and Jonny Hill, Scotland’s Ali Price, Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit are all huge fans of the beautiful game.

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      Stuart Hogg will captain the Lions in their first match on South African soil.
      After being benched by Exeter Chiefs for the Premiership final – the Scotland hero starts at full-back against the Emirates Lions at Johannesburg’s iconic Ellis Park.
      Super-star fly-half Finn Russell also starts – meaning that England skipper Owen Farrell has to make do at inside centre, again.
      Debutant and lightning-quick Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit earned a place in the XV as well.
      Also winning their first appearance for the famous touring side are Chris Harris at centre, Jonny Hill at lock and Hamish Watson.
      Sam Simmonds, the reigning Premiership player of the year, will step off the bench for his debut – as will Luke Cowan-Dickie, Zander Fagerson and Gareth Davies.
      Harry Kane sends Wembley wild as fans clamber over each over in amazing scenes as England beat Germany at Euro 2020 More

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      Wales national anthem lyrics: Land of Our Fathers, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau words for Euro 2020 and Six Nations

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      THERE are few national anthems in the world that are sung with the pride and ferocity of Wales’ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.The song, which translates into English as ‘Land of my Fathers’, is one of the most recognisable in global sport – not least international rugby and football matches.
      Gareth Bale sings the Welsh National AnthemCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The Welsh national anthem will be belted out with more pride than ever during their Rugby World Cup campaignCredit: Reuters
      What are the lyrics to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau in Welsh?
      USUALLY only the first verse and the chorus is sung at sporting events, but we’ve included the whole lot for you lot keen enough to see the whole thing.
      Verse 1 
      Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
      Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
      Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
      Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
      Chorus
      Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
      Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
      O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
      Fans raise the roof during a rousing renditionCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Verse 2
      Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
      Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i’m golwg sydd hardd;
      Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
      Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
      Verse 3
      Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
      Mae hen iaith y Cymru mor fyw ag erioed,
      Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
      Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
      What are the lyrics in English?
      OBVIOUSLY with the anthem being sung in Welsh, this is only the translation and won’t be belted out during the Six Nations like this.
      But it’s good know what the lyrics mean – and they’re suitably patriotic.
      Verse 1
      This land of my fathers is dear to me,
      Land of poets and singers, and people of stature,
      Her brave warriors, fine patriots,
      Shed their blood for freedom.
      Chorus
      Land! Land! I am true to my land!
      As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land.
      May the language endure for ever. More

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      Scotland national anthem lyrics: Words to The Flower of Scotland

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      SCOTLAND face Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 opener before matches against England and Croatia.And you can rest assured their national song, the Flower of Scotland, will be belted out proudly before the game.
      Scotland players line up ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Czech RepublicCredit: Getty
      Scotland line up for the national anthemCredit: PA

      What are the lyrics to The Flower of Scotland?

      O Flower of Scotland,When will we seeYour like again,That fought and died for,Your wee bit Hill and Glen,And stood against him (against who?),Proud Edward’s Army,And sent him homeward,To think again.
      The Hills are bare now,And Autumn leaveslie thick and still,O’er land that is lost now,Which those so dearly held,That stood against him (against who?),Proud Edward’s Army,And sent him homeward,To think again.
      Those days are past now,And in the pastthey must remain,But we can still rise now,And be the nation again,That stood against him (against who?),Proud Edward’s Army,And sent him homeward,To think again.
      Scotland fans singing Flower of Scotland inside a buzzing Hampden Park at Euro 2020Credit: AFP More

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      Leicester City’s FA Cup win against Chelsea is inspiring Leicester Tigers ahead of Challenge Cup final at Twickenham

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      LEICESTER TIGERS are hooked on FA Cup fever as they look to copy Brendan Rodgers’ history-making Foxes.It used to be the Tigers, not the Foxes, who were the trophy-hungry hope for the Midlands city.
      Leicester City’s neighbours Leicester Tigers have been inspired by their shock FA Cup win
      George Ford said the Foxes have inspired the Tigers ahead of the Challenge Cup finalCredit: Getty
      But ahead of Friday night’s Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, England fly-half George Ford is feeding off what happened to their neighbours just half a mile from Welford Road.
      As Tigers chase their first major trophy in eight years, Ford said: “I don’t think there’s extra pressure.
      “But, we as Leicester Tigers, were unbelievably proud of what Leicester City did in the FA Cup.
      “I think they went into the game as underdogs – which I think we are as well.
      “And going and producing a performance like they did, and the way they played – the courage they played with, the workrate, the effort, the skill, in a big game on the big stage, was incredible to watch.
      “So it inspires us. It definitely inspires us seeing the football team Leicester City go and beat a massive team like Chelsea in the FA Cup final, which they’d never done before. It’s incredible.”
      Steve Borthwick’s current crop of Tigers are a shadow of the famous Martin Johnson era during the late 90s and early noughties when they won back-to-back Heineken Champions Cups and five Premierships.

      When asked if that was a burden, Ford said: “No, not really.
      “I don’t get sick of hearing about it at all. Leicester’s is a quite well-followed club.
      “It’s traditionally a big club in English rugby because of the tradition, the history and how successful they’ve been in the past.
      “We’re a different team to where that team was – a different era, and we’ve got to work hard to go and win things ourselves and build a bit of a memory bank that we can be proud of as well.
      “But, no, I don’t get sick of hearing it at all. Those teams in the past that went and won all those trophies obviously deserved to do so.”
      And he added: “I definitely feel like we’re going in the right direction, we’re improving.

      “We’ve improved in a lot of areas this year, but there’s a lot more growth in us as well.
      “I feel it more because I’m on the field and it’s a massive difference to last year and the year before.
      “The belief, the foundations of our game. . . we just feel like we’re getting better and we’re on the right track.
      “That’s all you want to feel – that you’re improving yourself and you’re part of a team getting better as well.
      “If you keep doing that you know you’ll put yourself in the mix at the very least to win things.”
      Leicester celebrate with the trophy after they win the FA Cup More