The two most successful women’s rugby nations have both helped to develop Jenny Hesketh into the player who will run out in the Wales 15 jersey against Scotland. The former England Under 20s captain spent a year playing rugby in New Zealand, before returning to the roots of her Welsh mother in her international allegiance.

It was understandably frustrating for Alex Cuthbert to be out of action for a year, but he did at least have plenty to keep him occupied off the field. Aside from his rehabilitation from foot and calf injuries, the Ospreys and Wales winger was also working on his coaching qualifications and figuring regularly as a TV pundit.

Jenny Hesketh will make her debut at full-back against Scotland on Saturday when Wales start their Women’s Guinness Six Nations campaign. Wales scrum half Sian Jones is poised to do the same off the replacements bench if she gets on the field at Cardiff Arms Park.

Nigel Owens has called for clarification on what exactly constitutes a red card in rugby. The former World Cup final referee was talking against the backdrop of the big debate over the 20-minute red card.

Ceri Jones is to stand down as head coach of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) at the end of this season. RGC were 20-15 winners away to Carmarthen Quins in their most recent match, but have had a difficult season and currently stand third from bottom of the Indigo Premiership, although they do have games in hand on the clubs above them.

George North has urged Wales fans to keep the faith and believes victories are on the horizon – even though next up are South Africa and Australia. The retiring Wales wing delivered a message of hope for Welsh rugby as he departed the international game on crutches after Wales’ wooden spoon nightmare became reality.

Warren Gatland insisted he can see light at the end of the tunnel – even though things looked so dark for him minutes before that he offered to quit. The Wales coach said he volunteered to fall on his sword after Wales hit rock bottom by picking up their first Wooden Spoon in 21 years, following the 24-21 defeat at home to Italy. Wales are now officially down among the dead men of world rugby after slumping to a second successive home defeat to Italians to end their Six Nations campaign without a win.

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.

Josh Adams is used to silverware not stirring utensils, but times have changed from his carefree entry into Test rugby six years ago. The Wales wing won a Grand Slam in 2019, another Six Nations title in 2021, was a Lions tourist that same year, and finished the top tryscorer at the 2019 World Cup.

Warren Gatland has put the pressure onto his Wales players this weekend by telling them the match against Italy is their chance to accept responsibility. The Wales coach is under the spotlight himself as a defeat would give him a record of just one win in 10 Six Nations matches since he took charge for his second stint at the helm.

George North intends to go out the way he came in – with the focus on what he brings to the match, rather than his own status. Way back in 2010, as a raw 18-year-old, two tries on his international debut almost inspired Wales to an unlikely victory over then world champions South Africa in Cardiff, in match eventually lost 29-25.

Wales centre George North has announced that he will retire from international rugby after Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy. The 31-year-old, who has won 120 caps, has been recalled to the Wales team for what is a wooden-spoon decider. It’s another unexpected twist in what has been an eventful tournament for Wales, who have failed to win a game and struggled to overcome previous retirement decisions made both before and after last year’s World Cup.

George North and Nick Tompkins have both been recalled to the Wales team for Saturday’s Six Nations wooden-spoon decider against Italy. The pair – who were controversially dropped for the record 45-24 home thrashing by France in the previous round – replace Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin. Head coach Warren Gatland had said he wanted to provide an opportunity to Roberts, but with Wales in danger of finshing bottom of the tournament table for the first time in 21 years, it apears the short period of experimentation is already over.

It’s safe to say Neath RFC are putting up one heck of a fight – and not for the first time in the club’s proud history. When they were denied a place in the WRU’s new Elite Domestic Competition (EDC), they made their feelings known in no uncertain terms, calling the decision “grossly unfair” and “reprehensible” after they were the only one of 10 applicants to be turned down.

Gareth Anscombe has been labelled as “one of the best fly-halves in the northern hemisphere” after his move to Gloucester for next season was confirmed by the English club. Anscombe, 32, is understood to have signed a two-year deal and will link up with the Kingsholm club this summer.

Louis Rees-Zammit says it was “horrible” to leave rugby behind but is in confident mood ahead of the first hurdle in his attempt to find an NFL team — a trial in front of team scouts on March 20. The Wales and British Lions star stunned the rugby world when he announced in January that he was quitting the game to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

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.

Italy captain Michele Lamaro has insisted his team did not play that well when they beat Wales two years ago – and vowed they will be better this weekend. The Italians take on Wales in confident mood after their stunning victory over Scotland at the weekend.

Soft tries, a retreating scrum and poor game management were all to blame for Wales’ latest Six Nations loss to France on Sunday as coach Warren Gatland conceded next weekend’s home clash with Italy is “massive” as they aim to avoid the wooden spoon. Wales were in the game for an hour but lost 45-24 as the visitors turned the screw in the final quarter with their massive pack and forced Wales into errors, which they converted into points.

Warren Gatland has admitted Wales are desperate for a win to put some meat on the bones of their claims they are a young team who are progressing. Gatland has underlined Wales’ desire to end their losing Six Nations run this season and claim what would be a statement victory over France on Sunday.