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CARDIFF: Wales playing England at home is one of the stand-out fixtures of the Six Nations, a fierce rivalry between neighbors that sees thousands fill Cardiff for a day of rugby, drinks and cheer. Past matches have etched some of the most iconic moments in rugby history in both countries, a centuries-old ritual that has evoked high emotion since the initial game back in 1881.nIn his autobiography “Number Nine Dream”, ex-Wales scrum-half Rob Howley wrote: “As anyone who has ever played in an England-Wales game will tell you, the rivalry and intensity is unparalleled. It certainly doesn’t need the players or the pressmen to throw fuel on the fire.” “Look what these bastards have done to Wales,” talismanic ex-Wales fly-half Phil Bennett infamously told his teammates before the 1977 match against England they went on to win 14-9.nWales, Bennett said, had been “exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English”, citing natural resources diverted to England and the scourge of holiday homes among other gripes. Acrimony and animosity are generally far from the spirit of the average rugby union fan, supporters of both teams are more interested in good-natured banter than jibes based on perceived socio-economic and political exploitation, but the edge nevertheless remains. The fact Saturday’s Wales-England match nearly did not go ahead has left many in both countries astounded, with even Wales captain Ken Owens saying the country were the “laughing stock” of world rugby.nnStrike avertednA potential strike by Welsh players over contractual issues was averted just on Wednesday. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) were left staring at massive losses had the game not gone ahead. An estimate of up to £9 million ($11m) lost by the WRU is more than doubled for the Welsh capital’s businesses on match day. “I’m pleased to announce that after extensive conversations and discussions over the last week the Wales-England game will go ahead as scheduled,” said Nigel Walker, the acting WRU chief executive.nAll professional players in Wales were invited to a meeting to discuss issues with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which handles contractual issues, on Wednesday - a deadline set by Welsh players for progress on the matter. Many of the players’ existing deals at the four Welsh regional sides expire at the end of the season. A new financial agreement between the four Welsh regions - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - and the WRU is set to be in place from next week.nAnd there was compromise on a number of issues including reducing to 25 the controversial 60-cap minimum Test selection rule for players at clubs outside of Wales, guaranteed representation at PRB board meetings and the inclusion of a solely fixed contract alongside fixed-variable hybrid contracts (80 per cent in set wages, with 20 per cent as bonus payments).n“Everybody in Welsh rugby really needs to pull together now to find the best way forward and we need to do it collaboratively, together, to put Welsh rugby back at the top end of world rugby and not the laughing stock which I think we are at the moment,” Wales skipper Owens said. Welsh fans will now hope that the players can put a troubled week behind them come Saturday at the Principality Stadium. Owens, while admitting that the dispute had been “a distraction”, vowed: “When we have crossed that white line at training, we’ve prepared well and done our work as professional players. We are ready for Saturday.n“We have fronted up in training and prepared as we would for any Test match and are looking forward to going toe-to-toe with England.” Wales coach Warren Gatland will now unveil his 23-man squad for the England clash on Thursday after cancelling Tuesday’s scheduled team announcement, with everyone hoping the focus switches to what should be a mouth-watering match in the third round of the Six Nations. —AFP

Six Nations sigh of relief as Wales-England to go ahead
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England beat Wales 3-0 to cruise into World Cup knockouts
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Iran strike late to beat Wales 2-0 at World Cup
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Kuwait Amir congratulates Prince William on becoming new Prince of Wales
AMSTERDAM: Denmark fans celebrate at the end of the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 football match between Wales and Denmark at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Saturday. - AFPnn

Dolberg and Danes begin to believe in Euro 2020 destiny
AMSTERDAM: Denmark's forward Martin Braithwaite (center) and team-mates celebrate with their fans at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Wales and Denmark at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. - AFPn

Dolberg stars as Denmark outclass Wales to reach Euro 2020 quarter-finals
ROME: Italy's coach Roberto Mancini (center) speaks with Italy's midfielder Marco Verratti (left) and Italy's forward Andrea Belotti during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Italy and Wales at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on Sunday. - AFPn

'Magical Nights': Mancini rekindles love for Azzurri
Princess of Wales Diana

Diana statue event may ‘break ice’ for princes
NICE: France's forward Karim Benzema misses to score on a penalty kick during the friendly football match between France and Wales at the Allianz Riviera Stadium on Wednesday. - AFP n

'Good omen' for Benzema despite penalty miss on France return
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Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 lands in Singapore International Changi airport on March 3, 2016. --AFP
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