Cardiff City suffered a first defeat in seven home matches at the hands of Burnley, but new £3m striker Yousef Salech shows growing potential.

Nicky Smith is poised to retain his place in the Wales team to face Scotland this week after Adam Jones gave his display against Ireland a big thumbs up.

A fortnight is a long time in sport as Wales - and Ben Thomas- can testify as they look ahead to meeting Scotland.

There is more than one route to the top as Carwyn Tuipulotu aims to prove by playing for three clubs in three different countries this season.

If the breath of fresh air that blew through Welsh rugby last weekend could be summed up in one player, it would be debutant Ellis Mee, the Scarlets wing.

Omer Riza insists Cardiff City will give the FA Cup their full respect and attention when they visit Stoke City on Saturday. The Bluebirds manager is unlikely to be judged on the length of any Cup run when owner Vincent Tan makes a call at the end of the season as to whether Riza stays in charge or not.

There are some words in sport that can really hurt. One of them was uttered by a French rugby pundit last Friday night, moments after Wales had succumbed to a 43-0 defeat in their opening Six Nations match against France.

Wales might be entering their opening clash of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations as massive underdogs on Friday night, but for second row Will Rowlands, at least the match at the Stade de France will feel like home turf. Currently playing his club rugby for Racing 92 in the Top 14, Rowlands is relishing the opportunity to start the tournament in the city where he now lives.

As if things were not tough enough for Wales on Friday night – French crowd, the return of Romain Ntamack, and, of course, the irresistible will of Antoine Dupont – comes news of a new opponent. Dupont – widely regarded as the best rugby player in the world, and by many as the best of all-time – is now fueled, not just by the Euros paid to him by Toulouse, but also by bitcoin.

Blue Monday is supposedly the saddest day of the year, but not if you are a Swansea City fan. For them it’s not just the third Monday each January – when Christmas bills hit the doormat and the weather is still grim – that brings on the gloom.

Taulupe Faletau is close to fitness, Wales coach Warren Gatland has insisted, even though the No.8 will not play against France on Friday night. Faletau had been earmarked for a dramatic comeback in the Six Nations opener in Paris, but a knee injury has denied Gatland of arguably his one proven world class forward. But Gatland has suggested Faletau – who has not played for Wales since the win over Georgia at the World Cup 16 months ago – could make his return against Italy in round two of the tournament.

Cardiff City will look to Yousef Salech to help drag the club further away from the relegation zone this weekend. The striker scored a last minute equaliser on his debut in midweek – a goal that not only rescued a point for the Bluebirds, but suggested there will be more to come.