The first ever professional contracts were signed by the women’s team at the start of 2022, with Wales making huge strides on the pitch, finishing third in the 2022 and 2023 Women’s Six Nations.

But coinciding with the contract talks, 2024 has seen a significant slump in form, with Wales finishing bottom in the championship.

Players brought in the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA) in January to represent them, with issues including pay and a performance-based maternity policy among their requests.

The WRA confirmed the Telegraph’s revelations saying the “girls were in pieces”, with the negotiations affecting their health.

THE Sun’s amazing Footie for All campaign has won a prestigious award honouring campaigning journalism.

Our campaign which ran during the last football season in partnership with Tesco handed out grants totalling £300k to hundreds of grassroots kids’ football clubs across Britain.

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We launched our ‘Footie for All Fund’ after a Sun investigation found financial pressures triggered by the Cost of Living Crisis were forcing kids to ditch recreational football.

The initiative was backed by England footballers such as Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, John Stones, and Harry Maguire.

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp is also a huge advocate of the campaign.

The Sun has officially won the Making a Difference Award, organised by News Media Association (NMA), for the brilliant scheme.

The award highlights how journalism benefits society.

NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “The Making a Difference shortlist this year has highlighted the exceptional dedication from UK news brands, who have worked tirelessly to inform and engage the public.

“The Sun can take great pride in their achievements.

“The ‘Footie For All Fund,’ serve as prime examples of how journalism can effectively spotlight critical issues, demonstrating to us all the vital role of trusted, independent journalism.

“My congratulations to you.”

Our Footie for All Fund was voted for by members of the public.

It came about when local football clubs told how they’d seen a membership drop as parents struggled to find the cash to pay for their kids sport fees.

Some even said they were tragically forced to stop their child playing sport as they couldn’t find enough money for a bus fare.

Tesco went on to provide us with our grants through its Stronger Starts programme which funds healthy activities for kids.

Celebrities across the country also dropped into regular footballing sessions to see how the funds were being spent.

They noted how good it was to see the difference it has made to the children who could still play.

It was also supported by singer Olly Murs, 40, who visited Crown and Manor football club in Hackney, London.

He said: “In 2024 the cost of living is so high for so many families.

“For the kids to suffer and not be able to come and play football because their parents cannot afford it would be such a tragedy.

“So the fact The Sun and Tesco did this will help families to get their children playing football.

“That’s the good thing about this campaign. The grants are there to ensure no kid gets left behind.”

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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel, 37, also visited Wapping FC in East London last November.

He greeted 20 excited children who were bounding with enthusiasm when the beloved ex-Chelsea ace went to meet them.

Obi Mikel said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.

“I chose sport, just like these kids, and it completely changed my life. I don’t know what I would have been without football.

“I remember being this age like it was yesterday.

“It’s great to still see kids running around and enjoying themselves. That’s the most important bit.”

Founder Nahimul Islam, 25, started Wapping FC, in Mile End, East London, when he was just 17 to give kids a place to play football and stay out of trouble.

Now more than 250 children are on their books – including 50 girls and 16 players with a range of disabilities.

Nahimul said: “We operate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, and this incredible grant will help us give the boys high-class training and facilities without passing that cost on to mum and dad back home.

“Having someone like Mikel come visit the club is inspirational to our players. It shows them just what is possible.”

One grant recipient Mike Smith, 54, who runs Curzon Ashton FC in Ashton-Under-Lyne promises income is no barrier to playing with the club. They also take children with disabilities.

Mike used the club’s Footie for All grant to start a new girls team.

He said: “Thanks to the funding from The Sun and Tesco we’re able to give girls the opportunity to play and learn new skills.”

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England prop Joe Marler has apologised for a “poorly articulated” social media post before Saturday’s match against New Zealand, where he said the haka “needs binning”.

The 34-year-old called the haka – a pre-match ritual challenge – “ridiculous” in a post on X on Tuesday.

But Marler said on Thursday he “should have done better at explaining things” and was “grateful” for the education he has received since.

“Hey rugby fans. Just wanted to jump on here and say sorry to any New Zealand fans I upset with my poorly articulated tweet earlier in the week,” Marler posted on X. “I meant no malice in asking for it to be binned, just want to see the restrictions lifted to allow for a response without sanction.

“I’m grateful for the education received on how important the haka is to the New Zealand culture and hope others have a better understanding too. Now roll on 3pm on Saturday for a mega rugby occasion. England by six points.”

Marler will not feature in the Autumn Nations Series opener at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, having left the team camp for personal reasons before posting his initial comments.

The Harlequins player deactivated his X account following his initial post, before reactivating it to claim he was “just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture”.

But amid criticism from various political and cultural figures in New Zealand, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Marler could have chosen his words better.

“The haka for us is a custom – it is part of who we are, it’s our DNA,” added Robertson. “It is not just about the All Blacks, it is about us as a country. It means a lot to us.”

In rugby union, regulations prevent opposing teams crossing the halfway line while New Zealand are performing the Maori war dance.

In 2019, England were fined £2,000 for crossing halfway as they lined up in a V formation to face the haka before their Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand.

Current England captain Jamie George said Marler had “prodded the bear a little bit” before Saturday’s match, which kicks off at 15:10 GMT.

“Joe and I don’t always agree on everything and we disagree on this topic,” he added.

Diego Lopes has his sights set on Ilia Topuria’s UFC featherweight title, and he’s not afraid to go and take it from him.

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), a streaking title contender at 145 pounds, wants to be the next person to challenge Ilia Topuria, and he believes he’s more than deserving to call for a title shot, given the body of work he’s put together in 2024.

“If they asked me what arguments there are for me to be the next one, I say: I’m on a good streak; I’ve beaten three people in the rankings this year; I’m at No. 3, and Topuria has beaten the two fighters that are above me in the rankings,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’re the new blood of the division, and this is a renewal bout for the division.

“I think for a long time, all the championship fights have either involved Volkanovski or Holloway. This fight will be a renewal. Also, this fight can be done in Spain or anywhere in Latin America and be promoted 100 percent in Spanish for all the Hispanic people. Those are the arguments that I bring to the table.”

Topuria is coming off a historic win at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Not only did he complete his first title defense, but he also became the first man to knock out Max Holloway.

Topuria has put away six of the eight opponents he’s faced in the UFC and has proven he’s one of the most dangerous fighters in the game. Although Lopes respects his craft, the Lobo Gym and Brazilian Warriors product is in no way afraid of his power, and sees Topuria as a good matchup.

“What I bring to the table, simply put, is the power in my hands, definitely, the explosivity in my striking, my volume, and I’d say the main thing is that I don’t fear anyone,” Lopes said. “I don’t fear anyone. Just like he goes to punish, so do I.

“If the fight does go down, it will be a clash, a clash. If he moves forward, he’s going to run into a wall. That’s what I bring. I won’t be backing up, moving side to side, looking to maintain the fight at a distance. I like the clash. I like coming in and clashing. That’s where I feel comfortable, and that’s also his game, so I think the style favors me.”

Lopes told MMA Junkie that he’s open to face Alexander Volkanovski for an interim title in early 2025 if Topuria were to take a break from the sport. However, his ideal scenario is a title shot, which he feels confident can happen next.

“If we’re talking about numbers and results, not to brag, but I think I’m in a good position to ask for the title,” Lopes said. “Before April 10, before UFC 300, I wasn’t in the UFC rankings. However, since, I’ve beaten three ranked fighters, and I’ve positioned myself at No. 3. I think based on merit, I’ve earned the position that I’m in. Topuria just knocked out No. 1 and 2, and I’m No. 3. I think I have arguments to call for this title fight.”