SWANSEA, April 26 (Reuters) – Swansea, a sprawling Welsh seaside settlement dating back to William the Conqueror, is a city of contrasts stemming from its role in the world’s first industrial nation.

Copper smelting succeeded ship building as the city’s primary industry and the disparity between a bleak industrial centre and the attractions of Swansea Bay led poet Dylan Thomas to describe his birthplace as an “ugly, lovely town”.

LONDON (Reuters) – Readers of The Cricketer’s Almanack in 1864 could study the phases of the moon, the dates of the English Civil War and the past winners of the Oaks, the Derby and the St Leger.

Of more pressing relevance to those attracted by the second word in the title of the new publication was the warning that fielders stopping the ball with their hat would automatically incur a five-run penalty.

LONDON, April 10 (Reuters) – Readers of The Cricketer’s Almanack in 1864 could study the phases of the moon, the dates of the English Civil War and the past winners of the Oaks, the Derby and the St Leger.

Of more pressing relevance to those attracted by the second word in the title of the new publication was the warning that fielders stopping the ball with their hat would automatically incur a five-run penalty.

LONDON (Reuters) – Unprecedented levels of skill, intensity and endurance have transformed global sport into spectacular mass entertainment and handsomely rewarded its leading exponents.

Now that the euphoria of last year’s acclaimed London Olympics has dissipated, however, a spate of troubling stories in the first quarter of 2013 show an altogether darker and more disturbing side to a glamorous, multi-billion-dollar industry.

LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) – Unprecedented levels of skill, intensity and endurance have transformed global sport into spectacular mass entertainment and handsomely rewarded its leading exponents.

Now that the euphoria of last year’s acclaimed London Olympics has dissipated, however, a spate of troubling stories in the first quarter of 2013 show an altogether darker and more disturbing side to a glamorous, multi-billion-dollar industry.

LONDON (Reuters) – Disgraced U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong has been personally urged to make a full confession of all his involvement in doping by the founder of the lobby group Change Cycling Now.

Jaimie Fuller, who formed the group which includes former Tour de France champion Greg Lemond, told Reuters on Wednesday he had talked to Armstrong for an hour on the telephone last month.

LONDON (Reuters) – Seventeen athletes face doping bans after abnormalities were detected in the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) biological passports which track changes in their blood profiles.

“Seventeen cases are currently under proceedings,” Thomas Capdevielle, the results manager in the IAAF’s medical and anti-doping department, said on Wednesday.

LONDON, March 13 (Reuters) – Wales, trailing by 20 points midway through the opening match of their Six Nations championship defence on Feb. 2, have rebounded to such effect that they are now convinced the title is within their grasp.

After winning three away matches in succession following a 30-22 loss to Ireland, the 2012 grand slam champions can retain the title if they beat England by eight points at the Millennium stadium on Saturday.

LONDON (Reuters) – Wales captain Ryan Jones will miss Saturday’s Six Nations championship finale against England at the Millennium stadium after breaking a shoulder bone during last weekend’s win over Scotland.

Loose forward Jones underwent a scan on Monday after leaving the field in obvious pain during the match at Murrayfield on Saturday and his arm was in a sling as the team boarded their flight from Edinburgh.

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) – Wales captain Ryan Jones will miss Saturday’s Six Nations championship finale against England at the Millennium stadium after breaking a shoulder bone during last weekend’s win over Scotland.

Loose forward Jones underwent a scan on Monday after leaving the field in obvious pain during the match at Murrayfield on Saturday and his arm was in a sling as the team boarded their flight from Edinburgh.