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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,” […]

Ioan Cunningham has left his position as Wales Women’s head coach by mutual agreement. Cunningham’s departure after three years at the helm follows a recent turbulent spell in the Welsh women’s game that saw the Welsh Rugby Union’s handling of now completed contract negotiations fiercely criticised.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named uncapped Scarlets wing Blair Murray in his team for Sunday’s Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji. New Zealand-born Murray steps into the Test match arena after just six games for the Scarlets.

Former Welsh rugby writer Steve Bale, one of the most respected and well-travelled sports reporters of the past four decades, has died at the age of 72 after losing a battle with illness. A classically trained journalist, he progressed from the newsroom at the Neath Guardian in his home town to work for the Swansea Evening Post, South Wales Argus, Western Mail, The Independent, The Sunday Express, Daily Express and finally the Sunday Times.

Wales start their Autumn Nations Series campaign this weekend, but Sunday’s match against Fiji is unlikely to be the critical one. Granted, Warren Gatland’s team have not won for over a year and have slipped beneath the Fijians in the world rankings – to 11th, one place lower than the South Seas Islanders. But things change quickly in rugby and the Fiji that were hammered 57-17 last week by Scotland did not bear much resemblance to the hard-edged team that reached the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup before they were narrowly beaten by England.

Will Rowlands insists the bell has rung and “school time is over” for Warren Gatland’s Wales squad. The 33-year-old Racing 92 giant is back in the Welsh fold after taking a summer off and missing the three Test defeats against the Springboks and Wallabies (twice) that took the current international losing streak up to nine.

Newport head coach Tyron Morris has questioned the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to shut down Super Rygbi Cymru for most of November. Morris’s Black and Ambers currently sit third in the new semi-professional structure, behind leaders Cardiff and Ebbw Vale.

Filo Tiatia will be given a chance to prove he should be the man to step up and take permanent charge at the Dragons. The former All Blacks forward, who joined the Dragons as defence coach this summer, will now call the shots as interim head coach after their decision to part company with Dai Flanagan.

It says much about Gareth Anscombe’s self-belief that he wants to play for Wales at the next World Cup. After all, the last tournament was only 12 months ago and it ended in another bitter injury nightmare for the 33-year-old outside-half.

Welsh fans will be able to join Warren Gatland and his squad in running the rule over next week’s opening opponents in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series when Fiji kick-off their tour with a clash with Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend. The side is drawn exclusively from their Super Rugby Pacifica team the Drua because the game falls outside the Test window.