Summary

  • Four changes to Wales rugby team to play France in the Six Nations

  • Alex Cuthbert, Richard Hibbard, Jake Ball and Aaron Jarvis are out of Wales' starting XV

  • Scott Baldwin is hooker; George North replaces Cuthbert on right wing with Liam Williams on left

  • Roger Lewis to step down as chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union

  • Football: Owner Vincent Tan instructs Cardiff City board to boycott tonight's game at Wigan

  1. Postpublished at 10:12 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    Rob Phillips, BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    Vincent Tan's instruction for a boycott tonight proves that this is more than just another game and that the bad feeling from the Cardiff owner towards Malky Mackay is by no means diminished.

    But it's something the Cardiff team and management could've done without and their focus will have to be on the football given the threat of relegation.

    What do you think? Will this be distraction for the team and management.

    Follow it all right here and join the debate by tweeting using #BBCSportWales, or email us.

  2. Historic highs and plenty of controversypublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    Wales have won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, since Roger Lewis took over as chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union in 2006.

    But it's been a bumpy ride to say the least. There have been long-running battles with the four Welsh regions over funding and governance of the game in Wales, with the latest dispute finally settled by a £60m deal in August 2014.

    And who can forget the moment that Gareth Jenkins was removed as Wales head coach in 2007? It was a brutal dismissal, with rumours that Jenkins was informed of the WRU's decision in a car park... there were certainly grim faces that day.

    Gareth JenkinsImage source, BBC Sport
  3. So who is Welsh Rugby Union chief Roger Lewis?published at 09:43 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    Roger Lewis' CVImage source, BBC Sport
  4. Get involved #BBCSportWalespublished at 09:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    It's been quite a morning... to recap...

    Vincent Tan, Cardiff City's controversial owner, has told his board to stay away from tonight's Championship game at Wigan, in protest at what they allege to be a club owned and managed by racists.

    Another of the most powerful and controversial figures in Welsh sport, Roger Lewis, has revealed he will leave his role as Welsh Rugby Union chief executive in the autumn.

    And if that wasn't enough, Wales are due to announce their team to take on France in the Six Nations at 11:00 GMT.

    Follow it all right here and join the debate by tweeting using #BBCSportWales, or email us.

    What do you make of today's breaking news? And who should Wales coach Warren Gatland pick to face France?

  5. Who will play against France?published at 09:37 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    Alex CuthbertImage source, Huw Evans picture agency
    Image caption,

    Alex Cuthbert's place in the Wales team is in jeopardy, says Ian Evans

    A lot of rugby politics here, but what about the team to play France?

    Will George North return? Will Liam Williams keep his place in the team.

    Well, Bristol and Wales second row Ian Evans expects Warren Gatland to give the big Northampton Saints wing a place back in the team after being rested for the win in Scotland after taking two blows to the head against England.

    "He'll [North] probably have the heads up to start against France," said 2013 British and Irish Lion Evans.

    He believes that will mean Alex Cuthbert dropping out of the starting XV and Liam Williams staying on the wing.

    What do you think?

  6. Postpublished at 09:35 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    BBC Radio Wales are discussing Roger Lewis' impending departure on Morning Call with Oliver Hides. You can call Ollie on 03700 100 110.

    Gwyn's done just that and he says: "Sport is a business and it's taken the Union quite some time to recognise that.

    "[But] in the last six years under Roger, the WRU has pumped a lot of money into grassroots rugby."

    Dave disagrees, saying: "I go to a game every Saturday in the Championship and see the demise of some great rugby clubs because the Union have not put enough money into the grassroots."

    Call OllieImage source, Huw Evans picture agency

    You can also join the debate by tweeting using #BBCSportWales or by emailing us.

  7. Postpublished at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    A lot of the regions have had a hard time dealing with him, I've always got on well with Roger.

    I think we can look back and say he's done a great job, he's brought the debt down massively at the stadium.

    He's the guy that brought in Warren Gatland, and you've seen how well Warren's done for Wales.

  8. Postpublished at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    Ross Harries
    BBC Scrum V presenter

    When he steps down Roger Lewis will be the third longest-serving chief executive in the WRU's 134-year history.

    He'll have been at the helm for nine years, many of which have been turbulent and eventful. During his tenure, Wales have enjoyed their most consistent period of success since the 1970s.

    They've won two Six Nations Grand Slams, a championship, and reached the a World Cup semi-final.

    Roger Lewis (L) appointed New Zealander Warren Gatland (R) as Wales head coach in November 2007Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Roger Lewis (L) appointed New Zealander Warren Gatland (R) as Wales head coach in November 2007

    Off the pitch, he's helped drive down the Millennium Stadium debt to a record low of £14m.

    But while that approach has earned him praise in some quarters, it's led to criticism from others, his detractors arguing that other areas of the game have gone underfunded as a result of the policy to reduce the debt.

    And the long-running civil war between the regions and the union - which severely damaged the image of Welsh rugby - will leave an undoubted scar on his legacy.

  9. Postpublished at 09:24 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    The entire Cardiff City board will boycott Tuesday's Championship game at Wigan in protest at what they allege to be a club owned and managed by racists.

    It is understood the Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has instructed directors not to attend the match and they are said to support this position.

    Wigan owner Dave Whelan was fined £50,000 for making racist comments about Jewish and Chinese people.

    He also served a six-week ban from all football-related activity.

    However, a Football Association disciplinary commission said it was "satisfied" Whelan "is not a racist" and did not intend to cause offence.

    Malky MackayImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Wigan are currently 23rd in the Championship after just two wins under manager Malky Mackay

    The 78-year-old's comments were made as he defended the appointment of Malky Mackay as the new Latics manager in November.

    Mackay is currently under investigation by the FA regarding allegations he sent "sexist, racist and homophobic" text messages during his time in charge of Cardiff, who sacked him in December 2013.

  10. Eventful day in Welsh sportpublished at 09:16 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2015

    Good morning and welcome to a busy day in the world of Welsh sport.

    Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has instructed his board to boycott tonight's match at Wigan, who are managed by former Bluebirds boss Malky MacKay.

    In rugby Roger Lewis, one of Wales' most important and controversial figures, has announced he will be stepping down as chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union after the World Cup in October.

    And later on we'll bring you the team news as coach Warren Gatland names his side to face France in the Six Nations in Paris on Saturday.

    We'll bring you that at 11:00 GMT.