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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Paul Abbandonato

Rugby evening headlines as Dan Biggar told his red card ban will benefit Wales and teams lift cups on WRU finals weekend

Your rugby news on the evening of Sunday April 24

Biggar ban 'good for him and Wales' - Shane

Shane Williams believes Dan Biggar's rugby ban will work in his and Wales' favour.

Wales' Six Nations captain is undergoing a three week suspension after receiving a red card for making contact to the head of Lions team-mate Chris Harris during a recent Northampton versus Gloucester English Premiership match.

But in a column about his concerns over too much rugby and a global season, Wales record try scorer Shane reckons the timing of an enforced absence after such an arduous season will benefit Biggar.

READ MORE: The extensive Wales casualty list ahead of South Africa tour

"What a timely break! It won't keep him out of the end of season play-offs if Northampton march on and will give him the chance to rest a few weary bones before he leads Wales to South Africa for their three-Test series against the world champion Springboks this summer," Williams wrote in a Rugby Paper column.

"See what I mean. We already have a global season for a global game. The rugby merry-go-round never stops... and is only likely to get faster and faster."

Wales boss Wayne Pivac is dealing with a worrying injury list ahead of the tour, with a glut of leading stars either unavailable to face the Springboks or major doubts. The more recent concerns centre around Ross Moriarty, Wyn Jones, Josh Adams and Johnny McNicholl. They each face a race against time to prove their fitness.

Boks have injuries of their own

South Africa have injury concerns of their own for the summer showdown with Wales.

Wing Sbu Nkosi has undergone surgery for a broken ankle and is unlikely to be fit for the three Tests, while lock RG Snyman has a knee problem and is also expected to be absent.

In a further blow, Cobus Reinach, back-up scrum-half to Faf de Klerk, dislocated a shoulder and is due to undergo surgery this week which will keep him out of action for up to four months.

However, there appears to be better news about Toulon wing flier Cheslin Kolbe who has a thumb problem. He is expected to recover in time and could even line up at No.10 in the Tests.

The opening Test is on July 2 in Pretoria. The following week Wales head to Bloemfontein and wind up with the third Test in Cape Town on July 16.

Neath and Trebanos win on WRU National Club Finals Day

Neath came down from 13-3 at half-time to get past Bargoed and win the WRU Championship Cup final at the Principality Stadium.

Scrum-half James Leadbitter had crossed for Bargoed in the first-half, with Steff Jones adding a couple of penalties to establish a lead at the break.

Despite being temporarily reduced to 14 men after Tim Ryan's yellow card, tries from wings James Roberts and Matthew Jenkins spurred Neath on to victory.

In the Championship Plate Final, Matthew Edwards' last-minute penalty handed Trebanos a 23-21 victory against Bedwas.

Bedwas looked set for victory when replacement Liam Jenkins scored to give them a one-point lead minutes from the end. However, Edwards' last-gasp kick ensured it was Trebanos celebrating at the final whistle.

The day's final match, the Premiership Cup Final between Newport and Aberavon was kicking off at 5.35pm.

On Saturday, Builth Wells underlined their status as the outstanding youth team in Wales, completing their unbeaten season with an dominant 44-17 victory against Bridgend Athletic in the WRU National Youth Cup final.

Four tries from winger Ciaran Price laid the groundwork for the young Bulls in a seven-try win at the home of Welsh rugby.

In the other matches, Abergavenny ran out 22-10 victors over Cwmavon in the National Youth Plate Final and Llandaff edged past Lampeter Town 26-24 in the National Youth Bowl final.

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