Gareth Bailey

England defeated Wales 8-2 to finish top of Pool D at the Hockey World Cup. Sam Ward, Will Calnan, Tom Sorsby, Zach Wallace, Sam Hooper, Henry Croft and Nick Bandurak scored for England, while Gareth Furlong scored twice for Wales. England dominated with 14 penalty corners to Wales's one and advanced to the second pool stage, while Wales moved into the ninth-to-16th classification matches. The result also highlighted the significant world-ranking, resources and professional-status gap between the teams.

Wales and Pakistan drew 3-3 in a thrilling Pool D match at the Hockey World Cup in Amsterdam. Pakistan led early through Abdul Rehman, but Wales moved ahead after goals from Gareth Furlong and Rhys Bradshaw. Sufyan Khan equalised for Pakistan before Hannan Shahid restored their lead, with Furlong completing his second goal from a penalty stroke to secure the draw. Both teams have one point from two matches and remain in contention for the second round, while England have already qualified after beating India 4-2.

India opened their Hockey World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wales, converting three of five penalty corners through Sanjay Rana and two goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh. Wales created chances and Sam Welsh scored a late consolation goal, while Jacob Draper marked his 100th Welsh cap. India face England next, while Wales play Pakistan on Monday; the top two teams in the pool advance to the second round.

Rhodri Furlong is preparing to represent Wales at the Hockey World Cup while balancing his role as a lead clinical vascular scientist at Morriston Hospital and fatherhood. He says becoming a father has helped him detach from poor performances and play with greater freedom, while crediting his fiancée Emma and wider family for their support. Furlong will play alongside his brother Gareth as Wales face India, Pakistan and England in Pool D. After qualifying in Chile and winning three warm-up matches against Chile, Wales believe they can compete with the world's leading teams.

Libi Phillips and Will Bishop, a Welsh couple who met through under-14s wheelchair basketball, are preparing to make their Commonwealth Games debuts in Glasgow. Wales received wildcards after finishing second in the men’s and women’s qualifying finals, marking the country’s first Commonwealth Games appearance in basketball. Phillips and Bishop describe the sport’s speed and physicality, while highlighting its inclusive nature for athletes with different impairments. Phillips hopes their participation will provide disabled young people with the representation and role models she lacked growing up.

Jake Heyward returns to elite competition after double Achilles surgery, progressing from 20 months off running to breaking the Welsh mile record and earning selection for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He reflects on past struggles with chronic pain, the mental and physical challenges of recovery and his renewed perspective after stepping away from the sport. Now self‑coaching and nearing personal‑best form, he aims to contend for a Commonwealth Games medal while continuing his comeback trajectory.