11/10/2013 Sport Wales

There are storm clouds gathering over Welsh sport.

Two managers fearful for the future. And I have a keen threatening to

destroy European rugby. Good evening and yes these are

uncertain times for Welsh football and Welsh rugby, but one thing's for

sure - we have a jam packed show to keep you glued to Sport Wales

tonight. We travel to the south of France to

hook up with two Welsh exiles as we talk Wales, player exodus and

Heineken Cup. You want to be playing in a European competition that has

the best teams in it. We also go north to find out why the

Wrexham dream is turning into a bit of a nightmare for manager Andy

Morrell. If you are not doing well you will get wasted. -- posted.

And as it's "live well" season we pound the streets of the Welsh

capital with 19,000 plus runners in the Cardiff half marathon. It is a

sensational event. But first, it's less than an hour

until kick off in the match between Wales and Macedonia at the Cardiff

City Stadium, but is the clock also ticking on Chris Coleman's time as

manager? There are world class players absent

from his squad and a world class talent about to retire, so, as he

tries to prove that he is the man to lead Wales into the 2016 European

Championship qualifiers, it's fair to say a difficult job has just

become a whole lot tougher. There has been confusion over

contracts. There is two qualification games to go. If

anybody is judging me on the next game, if that is the case, I am not

sure that even if a contract was offered I would be signing it. It is

difficult to judge a person on one match. If he was on trial now

anybody would pack in now. There were insults followed by injuries to

several star men. It is a massive night for him. We are at home. I

fear for us going to Belgium. They are world-class side. It was never

meant to be easy, but who would be in his shoes when places and

catastrophe seem to work around every corner? After just three wins

from 12 business where the story ends for Chris Coleman westerner?

Let us look at the facts. I said I would never walk away from Wales. I

will stick by that. I cannot say that I need players should be here

and then if I get a good opportunity to go. The next one is massive. I

will go into these two games like I have all the games. We will see what

comes out the other side. Craig Bellamy places final international

before retirement. There are plenty in forcing him going straight from

which to dugout. He is up born winner. He can really that to his

team. Obviously Chris Coleman is still in the job. But if he weaves

Craig Bellamy would be my choice. He wants to give something back. He

wants to coach. I would not rule that out at all. Having seen him at

work in the dressing room and on the training ground he is an intelligent

lad. I would do my utmost to get up the goal-scoring charts. But that is

me. Craig Bellamy is his own man. He has made the right decision to stop

now. He will get the credit he deserves from Cardiff city

supporters. Our winning sendoff would be ideal, but even giving a

long injury list a daunting trip to Brussels means Wales need at least a

draw against Macedonia. Who would give them a chance of not finishing

last wish to mark. Nine or ten players are out of the squad. It is

a massive night for him. It will be very tough over the next couple of

games. Belgium are world-class side. They are merely the top two or three

sides in the world at the moment. First and foremost the idea is to

grind out a result against Macedonia to get off the bottom of the table.

They have beaten as. They have beaten Serbia. They have drawn a

Scotland. The lost narrowly to eligible. Macedonia are seeded

higher than as coming into this group. This will be a tough game on

Friday night. It will be a bumpy ride. It is a game we have got to

try and when. Let's talk more football now with a

run Roberts. -- Iwan Roberts. Wales, six points from eight. Can he get

the points tonight? It will be a tough game. I was impressed when we

played them away from home. We have got 11 players missing from tonight.

It be a tough evening. Well Chris Coleman still be in charge this time

next week? I think he will be. We need good performances. He has had

his problems of injuries. But I do think can the beginning of the next

qualifying campaign Chris Coleman. Be the man in charge. From one

manager under pressure to another. What is going on with Malky Mackay?

It looks like that. To get rid of a valued member of staff, someone who

has built a squad. How important has he been? He has got these transfer

targets. The players that have been brought in and have got them to a

cup final. They have had a decent start to the season. Malky Mackay

will be shocked, hurt and angry. Will he still be there? He will roll

his sleeves up. He will get on with the job in hand until he is told

otherwise. He will not be short of offers. He will be a wanted man.

Thank you for joining us. We will see you later on match of

the day. There are extended highlights of

tonight 's match along with reaction from Iwan Roberts and Mickey Thomas

on BBC Two to Wales. With the road over the future of the

Heineken Cup rumbling on and the threat of many more high profile

departures across the Channel, we decided to send Gareth Rhys Owen to

France to see what life's like there if you're a welsh rugby star. It's

time to say bonjour to James Hook. This has been the home of James Hook

since 2011. He is speaking to his friends in French. I wanted to get

signed up as quick as possible. If James Hook has a weakness it is

his versatility. But this summer arrival of Lopez has seen him such a

game. When I was first told I was playing fullback I thought, here we

go again. But I am enjoying it. I made more breaks in the first eight

games. It is going well so far. My versatility has got be to where I

am. I just want to keep working hard on all aspects of my game and

achieve more. At least he has been playing.

It looks off all. It is one of those injuries. It is not the pain. You

see it and you know it is season over and our long-term lay-off. I

have had a few weeks of training now. Heineken Cup awaydays looks

like being a thing of the past. Unhappy with their share of revenue

the French and English are threatening to form their own called

attention. We have learnt that the French clubs have normal attention

of meeting with the Heineken cup organisers.

You want the best teams in it. You want to be involved. Hopefully it

will get sorted out. This club remains very guarded when it comes

to the Heineken Cup. None of the French players, coaches or officials

were to us. That is to be realistic we need to travel north to one of

the powerhouses of the European rugby. Toulouse have won the

Heineken Cup on four occasions but as things stand there is no prospect

of them playing in next year 's competition. We are worried about

the future of the Heineken Cup. You shills by these? -- do you share

these worries? Yes. It is important that they find a solution. I can

understand why the Welsh are scared. We are scared as well. We want to

see it go on. It is not as that'll make that decision. Welsh regions

face another challenge from the French. The vultures are continuing

to circle for the stars will be out of contract next season. The

majority of us, it is similar to what it is back home. You cannot

just come to France and think you are a superstar.

It has been frustrating, especially the last couple of years. Or you

can do is play well and do your best. -- all you can do. Time now

to discuss all things Welsh rugby with Carwyn Jones. Let us start

with the players. How many more can we expect to leave? At think there

will be more because of the market pressures and I don't think all the

clubs can maintain their current players. The Welsh team have done

well. Sam Warburton says there is nothing on the table for him yet.

He is an exceptional case. If he goes to France and they just

mercilessly used him as a piece of meat every Saturday, I don't know

how often we will see him with a Welsh shirt on. The union need to

step in. But that is moving the ball park completely because we

will be heading into central contracts. People would like some

element of that anyway. We will lose these iconic players. Half

penny is the pin-up of Welsh rugby as well. -- half penny macro. We

cannot keep everyone. One will happen with the Heineken Cup? Will

there be a European Cup involving the Welsh regions? The Irish,

Scottish, Italian regions think that the ERC will run this Cup and

it is not going to happen. We are happy for European competition, but

we are not being run by the unions and the Irish. It will take place.

There is too much money involved, but whether it will happen next

season, I am not sure. Financially for the beach and then, how can

they exist -- for the regions, how can they exist? It will be very

hard. The Heineken Cup kicks off this weekend. What about the Welsh

hopes? The Ospreys need to win their home matches. It is read the

top. If they lose the first going, basically they have had it. That is

the pressure for them. This group is going to be decided by bonus

points. What about the blues, a way to Exeter? I don't think they will

beat Exeter a wave. There is a lot of tension in the blues outfit in

terms of the players and the administrators. I am not sure if

they are all pulling in the same direction at the same time.

Sometimes situations like this can galvanise teams, but that does not

seem to be happening bought the blues. What about the Harlequins?

They have got a solid back row, but it does not inspire you offensively.

They do not punch holes. It will be a tough game, but it should be a

good one to watch. One thing for sure is that the drama and

uncertainty in world rugby looks set to run and run.

OK. Thanks, Gwyn. Now, let's change gear and switch to the high octane

world of mountain biking We went to meet a rising star in the sport who

wants to go downhill as fast as she can.

Now, as it's the live well season on BBC Wales, we spent last Sunday

catching up with the 19,000 runners who helped make the Cardiff half

marathon the biggest road race in Wales. Cathy Williams joined them

on the streets of the capital. It has become a major event. It is

probably be Number Two race in Great Britain. Young people are

being inspired by it. Last year's Welsh champion was back again after

spending some time training in Colorado. I was shown the training

I needed to do and how to do it properly. It is the Commonwealth

Games next year. Maybe he will be inspired enough to get in to bat.

And D Welsh female favourite was hoping to win her first title. --

and the Welsh have been a favourite. There were also some people there

who were determined to finished. I had a stroke a couple of years ago.

I am still about four tippers and blind, but I have come up the other

side. -- I am about 40% blind. Here we go. The biggest road race in

Wales! It was no surprise to see be three world-class Kenyans setting a

fast pace which took the athletes from the city centre, along Cardiff

Bay and round to be Civic Centre and the finishing line. It is a

sensational event. The fact that be caused is quick and the tracks the

elite runners, it makes it easier for the others. The Kenyan runners

were in a race and class of their own. The top British runners were

trailing behind, but they received plenty of support. It is one of the

few sports that you can marry the best in the world and those who do

it for fun. The ambition is high for the infant in terms of raising

money. - WHITE for the event. If we get a fast time we can prove to the

world that we can deliver at the 2016 World Championships.

A I am happy with that. I have knocked about four seconds off. --

I am happy with that. Jessica Paris Williams came in third. I held back

a little bit but it was a struggle in the last couple of miles. There

was a sort of carnival atmosphere as the rest of the runners

completed the course. Some in better shape than others, but all

of them relieved and proud. I have never been so glad to see the

finishing line in my life. This is my pride and joy.

Now then, for three years running as Wrexham made it to the

Conference play-offs, they've got used to enjoying life at the top of

the table. But this season is a very different

story. These days they come in hope and not expectation. There have

been too many defeats, conceded goals and hard luck stories. And

more pressure than ever before on the man behind me. How are you

coping. It is constantly on my mind, but it is something I have to deal

with. I have my children to take my mind off of things and bring me

down to normality. How were there, as soon as you get here, your

thoughts are back on it. What has gone wrong? We have had some

injuries and lost a couple of good players. We have got to stop the

King calls. We don't have a settled back for which is key to doing well

in a season. We have not had a settled back for for the 13 games

we have had. You have said it would take a monumental effort to get

back to the top of the table. Are you throwing in the towel?

Absolutely not. Saying that, I might be out of a job at the end of

the season. Do you feel there? Absolutely. If you are not doing

your job, you are out. Senior club figures told us they are behind the

man who has twice taken them to the brink of promotion. If you look at

Andy's record, it is probably only second to Alex Ferguson in terms of

win percentage ratio. Pump more money into the team is the cry from

more fans. Wrexham did make a run for under £1,000 last season, but

Sport Wales understands that went on clearing historic debt. The

board insists Wrexham has one of the top six playing budget in the

league. The budget is not an issue or a problem. We need to get as

much money to support the players and win games. That is the story.

They is nothing else. Every penny this Business earns goes back into

two places. It either goes into Andy morale's budget or funding the

centre for excellence. And we think we have has been reinvested. Last

season and this season's players spend is exactly the same. They

have lost to six part-time teams this season, but not this time. A

vital win back left them just two points above the drop zone. We have

talked about pressure - how do you feel now? We sleep easier? Probably

not! I would say yes, but there are issues in the games that we have

got. However, the three-point have made the day a lot better. I am

working on stuff to get another three points. He is hoping that

Wrexham can build on that as they travelled to bonnet. -- Barnett.

Well that's it for another week. Good luck to Wrexham with their

trip to Barnet on Sunday and, of course, it's fingers crossed that

Chris Coleman and Wales get a result against Macedonia this

evening, but as they attempt to finish their campaign on a high,

Craig Bellamy will be calling time on an impressive 15 year

international career. 76 caps and 19 goals for his country. Craig

Bellamy, we thank you for the memories.

Bellamy finds the back of the net! And he has been sensational. His

number of caps and goals speak for themselves. He is a special player

and he is up there with the best.