Warren Gatland has promised to nurse his latest group of youngsters through their four-match summer series and to give some of his more experienced players a “kick up the arse”. Wales head to Twickenham on 22 June to face the world champion Springboks before travelling to Australia for a two-Test series against the Wallabies and a final fixture with Queensland Reds.

Aaron Wainwright insists nothing but victory will be acceptable for Wales in Saturday’s wooden spoon decider against Italy. Wales must win in Cardiff to have any chance of not finishing bottom of the Guinness Six Nations table for a first time since 2003.

Joe Roberts believes Wales will avoid the embarrassment of a Six Nations whitewash this weekend by winning at the final attempt. The centre, who was controversially picked ahead of George North to face France last weekend, is confident Warren Gatland’s misfiring team can beat Italy in Cardiff in the final round of the tournament.

Liam Williams is at a career crossroads after a devastating first round loss to rising unbeaten middleweight star Hamzah Sheeraz on Saturday night. Wales’ former world title challenger Williams was taken apart by Sheeraz who twice knocked the Clydach Vale fighter down in the opening round, before Williams’ trainer Gary Lockett wisely threw in the towel. It was a fifth career defeat for Williams and leaves the 31-year-old with a lot to consider over his future after such a brutal setback.

Liam Williams can prove his claim that he is back to his best when he faces rising star Hamzah Sheeraz at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday night. It’s a big night for Wales’ former middleweight world title challenger – nicknamed, The Machine – even though he will not be the centre of attention.

Wales’ former middleweight world title challenger Liam Williams is keen to make up for lost time in London on Saturday night. The Clydach Vale fighter faces rising star Hamzah Sheeraz at the Copper Box Arena, with the clock ticking.

The first Six Nations after a World Cup often sees a changing of the guard, with new faces emerging as a fresh four-year cycle begins. This season’s tournament is likely to be another example of that, following the retirement of a number of seasoned campaigners and the rise of a host of talented youngsters who have shone in the BKT URC over the past few months.

George North has agreed a two-year deal to join second-tier French side Provence from the Ospreys at the end of the season North was part of the Wales side that lost in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals to Argentina and can still play for his country as he has many more than the 25 caps needed to play outside of Wales, with 119.

It’s been a very eventful year in the life of Cai Evans as his rugby dreams have come true. The young utility back was a bolter selection in Wales’ World Cup training squad and then went on to make a surprise start against South Africa in August, winning his first cap, figuring once more versus the Barbarians earlier this month.

Warren Gatland has underlined the importance of patience as he nurtures a new generation of Wales international players. Welsh rugby bid farewell to three of its biggest names – Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny – in a tribute game that saw Wales beat Principality Stadium opponents the Barbarians 49-26.

Shane Williams believes the Scarlets will be the strongest performing Welsh team in the BKT United Rugby Championship this season. The former Wales wing also feels there will be an opportunity for a number of talented youngsters to break through across the four regions.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named a squad of 23 to take on former captain Alun Wyn Jones and the Barbarians in Cardiff on Nov. 4, with 16 retained players from their Rugby World Cup campaign in France. Gatland, though, will be without a significant number of his leading players through injury and the inability to call on those contracted to clubs in England, France and Japan as the fixture falls outside of the international window.