Ben Thomas insists Wales “have a plan” to deal with Joseph Suaalii – but it had better be a good one. Thomas, 25, has been a centre of attention for Wales this autumn, a player of rich natural talent and creativity who, after a handful of games in a red shirt, looks likely to be a big part of the national team’s future.

Warren Gatland has joked he might soon be laying on a beach and if that’s the case he will have got there by going up Schmidt Creek without a paddle. Joe Schmidt – an old sparring partner of Gatland’s – lies in wait on Sunday, when he brings his resurgent Australia team to the Principality Stadium to play a Wales side all at sea.

In London, it used to be said that you were never more than six feet away from a rat. In some parts of Cardiff last Saturday, there’s a fair chance you were never more than six feet away from a runner.

Warren Gatland says he “takes with a grain of salt” recent criticisms from former players following Wales’ record-tying 10th consecutive Test match loss. Gatland also disclosed that stepping down from his role hasn’t crossed his mind, despite the rocky start to his second tenure as Wales’ head coach, which began ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.

Wales midfielder Josh Sheehan feels the ‘Swansea Way,’ has signposted a route from the lower reaches of the Football League to the international highway. Sheehan delivered an outstanding performance last month in a match against Montenegro, helping Wales secure a 1-0 home victory and keep their unbeaten run in the Nations League intact.

Under-pressure Wales coach Warren Gatland has made four changes from the side beaten by Fiji to face Australia in Cardiff on Sunday. Wales went down 24-19 to the Fijians last weekend in what was a record-equalling 10th successive Test defeat. A loss to the Wallabies would see Gatland’s team set a new record, fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen’s side of the 2002-3 season having also lost 10 straight.

Jordan James will be hoping a new manager will provide a fresh start at Rennes after a slow beginning to his career in French football. Wales midfielder James – who is set to feature for Craig Bellamy’s side in Turkey this weekend – has made only three brief substitute appearances for Rennes since moving there from Birmingham City, and not played at all since September 21.

Star centre Semi Radradra will miss Fiji’s remaining internationals this month after receiving a two-week ban for a high tackle in last weekend’s win over Wales. Radradra, 32, was sent off after 20 minutes of Sunday’s 24-19 victory in Cardiff for a dangerous hit on Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett.

Dan James is determined to make up for lost time on the international stage as Wales seek to silence raucous Turkey supporters in their potential Nations League group decider. Leeds winger James has joined a Craig Bellamy Wales squad for the first time after missing the new manager’s opening two camps with a hamstring injury.

Mike Phillips has called for Wales to get rid of Warren Gatland as head coach. Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Phillips has claimed Gatland deserves to walk after going over a year – and 10 internationals – without winning.

Gareth Anscombe insists Wales can break their 10-match losing sequence this weekend – and maybe keep Warren Gatland in hi job. Wales are arguably at the lowest ebb in their 143-year international rugby history following Fiji’s 24-19 victory in Cardiff.

Ben Davies believes Wales can challenge the best with promotion to the top tier of the Nations League in their sights. Only Germany, with 17, have created more big chances in the competition than Wales’ 13 heading into the final round of fixtures.

Winless Wales are already in the sights of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – the most exciting and hyped rugby talent in the world game. After equaling the worst run on their history – Wales’ defeat to Fiji at the weekend was their 10th on the bounce – Warren Gatland’s side now host Australia this Sunday.

Wales’ Aidan Heslop was full of pride after he was crowned cliff diving world champion on Sunday as the world’s elite competed in a season finale in Sydney for the second time. Heslop finished fifth on the day but it was enough to see him clinch his first world championship title with 121 points, 14 ahead of James Lichtenstein of the United States.

Warren Gatland insists he is not worried about losing his job as Wales coach, despite watching his team lose 24-19 to Fiji on Sunday in what was a record-equalling 10th successive Test defeat. Wales had not lost 10 matches since the 2002-03 season and now face two tough weekends against Australia, energised by their victory over England on Saturday, and world champions South Africa.

Luke Williams admitted he was left “gutted” by a controversial penalty decision that brought Swansea’s City mini-revival to an abrupt halt. The Swans head coach was left doubting the call by referee David Webb, deep into injury time, that gave Burnley a penalty which Jay Rodriguez converted for a 1-0 win at Turf Moor.

Warren Gatland has told Wales fans they need to be patient – even though they have now been waiting over 400 days for a victory. In comments that will stretch credulity among most supporters, the Wales coach said his team needs more time, even though the latest defeat – a 24-19 loss at home  to Fiji – was the 10th in succession. Gatland may have led Wales to Grand Slams and Six Nations titles in his first spell in charge, but his second stint now includes ownership of the joint worst record of any Welsh coach.

Cardiff City interim manager Omer Riza has told fans they are going to have to wait for the board’s decision regarding his future after his side’s 3-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers. Despite his desire to get the job permanently, his future in the dugout is still uncertain with supporters starting to get restless about who will be their next permanent gaffer. A victory might have nudged Riza nearer towards having his name on the office door, but Cardiff went 2-0 down and although they pulled back a goal to suggest they might get something out of the game, they finished by conceding a third.

Omer Riza is a patient man and it appears if you work for Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan then you need to be. Tan seems to regard patience as a virtue, so long as it’s not him who is expected to show any.

By Graham Thomas Ben Thomas admits it “does his girlfriend’s head in” how relaxed he is. The Cardiff star – described by Warren Gatland as the best back in Wales this season – admits he likes to feel chilled, on and off the field. “There isn’t much that gets my blood pressure raised, to be honest,” […]