Cardiff Blues will move their training base from the Vale of Glamorgan resort to the city centre for the 2019-20 season.

Blues will train at their Arms Park ground and use the grass pitches at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff.

The region say they plan to return to the Vale resort for the 2020-21 season.

Blues are also planning a backroom staff change with ex-Wales scrum-half Richie Rees in line to replace Jason Strange as the region's backs coach.

Head coach John Mulvihill confirmed earlier this season he would consider a shake-up in his coaching staff after his first campaign in charge.

Former Wales Under-20s coach Strange has had one season at the Blues under Australian Mulvihill after replacing Matt Sherratt, who joined Ospreys.

Rees played for Wales on nine occasions and was named as a transition coach at Blues in August 2017 after a previous coaching stint at Dragons.

The 36-year-old has worked with Blues academy players and the region's 'A' team in last season's Celtic Cup.

Fresh investment in Leicester Tigers will help ensure the club remains a force in the Premiership, according to club chief executive Simon Cohen.

Tigers, who have won 10 Premiership titles and two European Cups, have been put up for sale for about £60m.

Their last Premiership triumph, however, came in 2013 and they battled to avoid relegation last season.

"It's a very big club and extra investment means it will continue to be a very big club," Cohen said.

"This club is all about winning, and significant extra investment - if we can secure it - gives us a much better opportunity of winning.

"We are looking to be well placed as the game changes quickly. That might only require a minority stake, majority stake or all of it."

However, Cohen also told BBC East Midlands Today there was "no need" to sell.

"The main criterion is somebody - or some entity - who wants to take the club forward has to be somebody who understands what Leicester represents within the community and wants to enhance that," he said.

Zeus Capital have been appointed to help broker a deal after the East Midlands club was approached by several bidders soon after CVC bought a 27% stake in Premiership Rugby, worth more than £200m, in December.

'No surprise people want to buy'

Leicester chairman Peter Tom said Premiership Rugby's "transformation" following that investment prompted the Tigers' board to put the club up for sale.

"It suddenly put a value of £800m-£850m on the Premiership and that completely changed the landscape," Tom told BBC Sport.

"It's been transformed in terms of people's perception of where rugby is and where rugby is going. As a result we have had quite a number of approaches from people and institutions looking to possibly invest in or buy the club.

"We are in a strong financial position, we have no debt and this is one of the best supported clubs in the world, so it is not surprising that we had these approaches.

"We have decided to deal with them in a proper and formal way to ensure that we make a decision that is in the best interest of the Tigers in the long term.

"It's exciting and a big day. Zeus will explore and see what these approaches may or may not mean as far as Tigers are concerned."

With several bidders involved, Tom said it could take six months for a sale or injection of investment to happen in a club valued at more than £60m.

Tom is one of Leicester's biggest stakeholders with 9% of shares, while lifelong Tigers fan and businessman Tom Scott holds a majority share of 46%.

There are also 10,000 members who own shares and cumulatively have a 39% stake in the club.

'Revolution needed'

Bleddyn Jones, the former Tigers fly-half who has commentated on the club for BBC Radio Leicester since 1987, is among those shareholding members.

While being a "members-owned club" is something Jones sees as "unique" in the modern game, he said the sale is "probably what Tigers need to do" to keep pace with their rivals.

Leicester are the Premiership's most successful club with 10 league titles but have missed out on the play-offs in the past two seasons.

"Part of the reason they floundered is they don't have revenue to buy world-class players these days," Jones told BBC Radio Leicester.

"When you look at other clubs, most either have owners or other sources of finance to give them the opportunity to not only buy top-class players from anywhere in the world but also invest in the infrastructure of the club.

"Tigers are struggling financially and as a consequence you feel the club isn't right as it is. It needs a bit of a revolution to get it going again.

"It's the whole structure of the club that they really need to look at - what they are doing and what is going to happen in the future.

"Maybe they have come to the conclusion that they need to sell the club and start from scratch."

'Not just about money'

Tom denied that the club's Premiership struggles and a perceived lack of spending power were reasons for putting the club up for sale.

Leicester, who Tom said are "about to push the button" on a multi-storey car park development which will lead to a hotel being built near their Welford Road home, made a pre-tax loss of £1.2m in the 12 months to June 2018, having turned over a record £20.4m for the year.

It was noted in their most recent annual report that "current levels of losses are unsustainable in the medium term".

The investment of £200m in Premiership Rugby by CVC, which saw Tigers and other clubs receive around £13m, has since ensured their financial health.

The East Midlands club went on to keep hold of one of English rugby's biggest names soon after, with centre Manu Tuilagi rejecting a lucrative offer from French club Racing 92 to sign a new deal.

Asked whether the current owners had reached their limit in funding the club, Tom said: "I don't think we have. CVC are determined to create more income for Premiership Rugby. Their involvement is a tipping point and I think we are going to see further private equity investment in rugby generally.

"In all sport it is not just about money. We have carried out a comprehensive review of our playing side and we believe we have put together the right coaching team and made significant recruitments to ensure we do a lot better next season.

"We don't actually believe that Tigers' poor performance was anything to do with money, it was more to do with getting things wrong."

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry believes Wales will be "one of the teams to beat" in the 2019 tournament in Japan in the autumn.

Former Wales coach Henry led New Zealand to 2011 success and they won it again under Steve Hansen in 2015.

"I think Wales have a good chance," said Henry.

"It's going to be a lot closer than it was in 2015 when New Zealand had a distinct edge. It will be a highly competitive World Cup."

Henry coached Wales from 1998-2002 and departed with a record of 20 wins, a draw and 13 defeats.

His Welsh side were beaten by Australia in the 1999 World Cup quarter-finals.

Fellow New Zealander Warren Gatland guided Wales to fourth at the 2011 tournament - their second best World Cup finish - and the quarter-finals four years later.

Having seen Gatland's charges win the 2019 Grand Slam, Henry says Wales "have proved they are the best side in Europe".

Henry added: "Whether they can maintain that, I think they can.

"Ireland and England should be competitive and South Africa are improving.

"Hopefully the World Cup will galvanise the All Blacks into some improvements because they have not played that well in recent times or as they have done previously around the 2015 World Cup.

"It will be a very interesting tournament."

Henry says Wales' recent success - the Grand Slam was part of a 14-game winning run for the nation - "has been fabulous".

Under Henry, Wales enjoyed a 10-match winning streak which was their previous record run.

"Warren has done a superb job," added Henry.

"I actually texted him after they broke the record and said 'could you please pass on the congratulations from the 1999 side to the 2019 one for beating our record'.

"He texted me back because we know each other pretty well and he was appreciative of the text.

"He was very complimentary about the character of the side and the personalities that make up the squad.

"He was very positive and I texted him again after the Six Nations following the Grand Slam, which was outstanding."

Henry says Gatland's record with Wales and the British and Irish Lions makes him a strong contender to eventually succeed him has New Zealand coach.

Henry was asked if he thinks Gatland will ever get the All Blacks job.

"It is highly probable," he replied.

"He has proved to be one of the best coaches in the world. There are guys like Joe Schmidt (Ireland) and Dave Rennie (Glasgow Warriors) who are over there coaching who have done exceptional jobs who could also do a great job with the All Blacks.

"So there is a pretty competitive field right now, but Warren would be one of the front runners if he made himself available."

Gatland steps down as Wales coach after the World Cup and will turn his attention to coaching the Lions for a third successive time when they tour South Africa in 2021.

Henry led the Lions to a 2-1 series defeat against Australia in 2001 while still Wales coach.

The Welsh Rugby Union gave Gatland lengthy sabbaticals for the 2013 win against the Wallabies and the 2017 drawn series in New Zealand.

Henry said: "I think they learned from my experience.

"I did both jobs at the same time and that was wrong and you learn from those things.

"He has done fabulously well and I was delighted for him when he toured New Zealand that his side was so competitive."

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As the American Flat Track paddock makes its annual pilgrimage to the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, for the Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile on Saturday, the spotlight shifts its glare back Jared Mees.

Mees’ younger Indian Wrecking Crew teammates have stolen away some of the attention he so thoroughly demanded during back-to-back AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines title runs in 2017 and 2018. Briar Bauman currently holds a 34-point championship lead on the strength of a perfect seven-for-seven podium record in 2019, while Bronson Bauman rides into the Lima Half-Mile still savoring his maiden premier-class victory.

For Mees, the Lima Half-Mile represents equal parts pressure, opportunity, and responsibility. It’s not only his home race, he’s also the event promoter. It also just happens to be exactly the sort of demanding, physical track that Mees loves to conquer as a showcase of his ability and focus.

That increased focus can play out in more than one way. In 2017, the Lima Half-Mile was the only Main Event Mees failed to qualify for – or podium for that matter – due to penalties he incurred for jumping the start in his semi. A year later, he got his redemption in the form of a runaway victory that was arguably the centerpiece performance of his successful 2018 title defense.

Which way things go this year could very well play an important role in determining if Mees will be able to secure three consecutive Grand National Championships. Winning this weekend could be far from easy; Briar Bauman took the Main in 2017 in dominant fashion and second-ranked Brandon Robinson took top honors at the venue in 2016.

Fans should also keep their eyes on last year’s race runner-up Jeffrey Carver Jr., the returning J.D. Beach, Harley teammates Sammy Halbert and Jarod Vanderkooi and so many others with the potential to steal the spotlight for themselves.

The showdown in the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys class should be equally intriguing. Shayna Texter comes in as the defending Lima Half-Mile winner, while AFT Singles points leader Mikey Rush is riding a two-race win streak.

There’s also the likes of Dalton Gauthier, Dan Bromley and Ryan Wells to take into consideration.

Fans should also keep an eye on Dallas Daniels, as this challenging track marks the debut event for the fresh-blooded wunderkind of the already-formidable Estenson Racing front.

As an added bonus, the AFT Production Twins championship fight resumes this weekend after sitting the Laconia Short Track out. After three races, it’s Cory Texter against the field. Unless someone can stop him, Texter is in position to up his perfect season’s win streak to four this weekend.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Trident Seafoods, and its Louis Kemp brand will partner with Front Row Motorsports and the No. 36 Ford Mustang team for four races this season.

The company’s Louis Kemp Crab Delights brand will serve as the primary sponsor of driver Matt Tifft at Chicagoland Speedway in June, New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, the Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway in September, and Kansas Speedway in October.

The company began its partnership with FRM in 2018 for two races, which led to an increased commitment this season. Trident will kick off its racing season with an exciting contest, sending two lucky fans and guest on an all-expense paid trip to the track for the Sept. 29 race in Charlotte. Keep an eye out on the Louis Kemp and Front Row Motorsports social channels for info on how to enter on June 30.

“We’re excited to return to Front Row Motorsports,” said Mike Campanile, Trident’s senior marketing manager. “Like Louis Kemp, NASCAR has an extremely loyal fanbase and after we experienced that firsthand last year, it only made sense to align ourselves with the team again and Matt Tifft. His story of perseverance and finding success is something our brand can certainly relate to, and we’re looking forward to carrying that message to both new and existing customers.”

“I’m looking forward to having the Louis Kemp brand on our car this season,” said Matt Tifft. “It’s always a win for all parties when we see our partners expanding their involvement year after year. It’s a testament to the platform that our team provides for partners, and I’m glad to be involved.”

ZIMMERMAN, Minn. – Craig Dollansky is continuing to sit on the sidelines as he recovers from a dislocated left elbow he suffered in a non-racing accident on April 29.

“The injury April 29 was a setback I really didn’t need personally,” Dollansky said. “I felt really bad for my Selvage Motorsports race team and others that it affected. I was just beginning to increase my fitness training, riding a bike and other things fitness-wise as I ramp back up from my back surgery and it was going very good. Initially when I knew it was a dislocated elbow and nothing broken, I was pretty encouraged thinking I could recover quickly without much down time from the cockpit of the race car.”

Unfortunately for the Minnesota driver, the road to recovery would take longer than he initially expected.

“My doctor told me no lifting, pulling or using my arm for eight weeks,” Dollansky said.

Dollansky has copeted at Knoxville Raceway during the season opener on April 20 prior to suffering the elbow injury.

“That night I felt very good in the car,” Dollansky said. “We had no brakes that night and once slide jobs started happening in my heat race I had to pull back. We were unable to get any brakes in the car that night so I made a few laps in the feature that night and pulled in.

“After attempting to race that first weekend I told my team I’d have to take quite a few weeks off. I’ve attempted to race on and off a few times since then, but not very effectively,” Dollansky said. “I had to have help buckling my belts, strapping my helmet among other things. I began physical therapy the week of the Knoxville World of Outlaws show and my physical therapist advised me not to race during this process or I could be right back where I started.”

The good news is the majority of the rehabilitation process is behind Dollansky.

“I’m at eight weeks, my range of motion is increasing quickly and I can get back to racing and get after it like we need to be,” Dollansky said.

In the interim, team owner Dustin Selvage attempted to run the car on the Friday of the World of Outlaws and broke the driveline and had to send the motor out to get checked out for damage.

Dollansky had originally planned to be back in the race car for the Jackson Nationals at the Jackson Motorplex, but now he expects to be back and ready to go on July 6 at Knoxville Raceway.

“We were planning on my return to the cockpit at the Jackson Nationals this coming weekend but unfortunately that’s not going to happen,” said Dollansky. “We should have our motor and car ready to get back at it at Knoxville on July 6.”

Dollansky returned to sprint car competition this year after a back injury forced him into retirement in 2017.

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – When it comes to single-night events that Northern California fans have marked on their calendars, they don’t come much bigger than the one scheduled for Saturday at Placerville Speedway.

The King of the West-NARC Fujitsu 410 Sprint Car Series and the Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards will both converge on Placerville Speedway this Saturday for the Marcel Cassulo Classic.

“We are excited about this Saturday’s Marcel Cassulo Classic at Placerville Speedway,” said track promoter Scott Russell. “If you’re a Winged Sprint Car enthusiast in California this is the place to be at and if you’ve never been to Placerville, we encourage everyone to come check it out. It has been a long time but Winged 410’s and 360’s used to run here weekly so it’s almost like a blast from the past. Last year’s King of the West and Sprint Car Challenge Tour event was a barn-burner and we expect it to be the same on Saturday.”

D.J. Netto brings the King of the West-NARC point lead into Placerville on Saturday and will be searching for his first win on the red clay. Dominic Scelzi and Ryan Bernal are currently tied for second in the King of the West standings, with Willie Croft and Bud Kaeding completing the top-five going into the seventh race of the season for the tour. It will be the first of two appearances on the year at Placerville Speedway, with the next coming on Aug. 21.

On the Sprint Car Challenge Tour side of things, two-time and defending champion Kyle Hirst has moved atop the standings heading into Placerville Speedway. The Paradise, Calif., racer is always a favorite on the tight bullring.

Tim Kaeding, Tony Gualda, Sean Becker and Willie Croft round out the top-five in the SCCT standings. The event on Saturday is part of a doubleheader weekend for SCCT, which finds the series in action the following night at Petaluma Speedway.

A full program for each series will be held this Saturday including qualifying for the King of the West-NARC Sprint Cars and Quick Time Mortgage/ADCO Driveline qualifying for the Sprint Car Challenge Tour, along with heat races, dashes, B-mains and a pair of A-mains to conclude the night.

Adult tickets (ages 18-61) cost $40; seniors 62 and over, juniors 12-17 and military cost $35 and kids 6-11 will be $10. Children five and under are free. Seating is general admission except for the reserved seats marked for season ticket holders.

The pit gate at Placerville Speedway will open at 2 p.m., with the front grandstand gate opening at 3 p.m. A happy hour is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. in the grandstands featuring discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer stand. Drivers meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m., with cars on track for wheel packing at 5 p.m. Hot laps, qualifying and racing will follow. Live music will be performed from 4 to 6 p.m. in the grandstand midway.