WALES will welcome back crowds to sporting events from January 21 after the Welsh Government announced the lifting of restrictions.

All sporting events in Wales have been held behind closed doors from Boxing Day due to the rise of coronavirus cases caused by the Omicron variant.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, who will hold a press briefing at 12.15pm today to outline the lifting of restrictions, told BBC Wales: “As from tomorrow the number of people who can take part in an event outdoors will rise from 50 to 500 and then on Friday of next week, 21 January, crowds will be able to return to sporting events.”

The decision allows fans to attend Wales’ first Six Nations Championship home match against Scotland in Cardiff on February 12.