Tributes, praise and gratitude have been offered from across the rugby world after the one and only ‘King’ of rugby, Barry John, passed away. He was 79.

Rio Dyer wants Wales to come out of their shell much earlier against England this weekend, when Wales head to Twickenham for round two of the Guinness Six Nations. The Dragons wing was one of Wales’ four tryscorers as they picked up two points from their agonising 27-26 defeat to Scotland at the Principality Stadium – his fifth Test try in 15 internationals. “It was a bit frustrating in the first half because I wasn’t really touching the ball. We were kicking it a bit too much,” said Dyer.

Warren Gatland admitted Wales’ first half performance against Scotland, when they went into the dressing room trailing 20-0, was probably the worst half of his 30-year coaching career. But the Wales head coach ended the game feeling proud of the way his team fought back to almost pull off the greatest comeback in the history of the Six Nations. Despite conceding another try at the start of the second half that made it 27-0, somehow Dafydd Jenkins’ side made it 27-26 by the end.

Wales beat USA 78-24 on Friday evening in the first-ever game of Wheelchair Rugby League to be played in the Americas.

Owen Watkin will complete an impressive recovery from World Cup reject to Six Nations starter when Wales tackle Scotland on Saturday. Wales head coach Warren Gatland selected seven centres as part of an expanded training squad in May last year for the World Cup – but Watkin was not among them.

Wales have won the first round of their Six Nations opening battle against the Scots by getting Gregor Townsend’s side to do a U-turn on having the Principality Stadium roof closed today. On Thursday, Warren Gatland expressed his dismay and disappointment at being told the Scots wouldn’t agree to the roof being closed for the Six Nations opener.

Wales are ready to face USA this Friday night at John T Rhodes Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

Warren Gatland may not agree, but Gregor Townsend has defended Scotland’s decision to keep the Principality Stadium roof open for their Guinness Six Nations opener in Cardiff. Wales coach Gatland called the decision “disappointing”, saying it would impact upon the atmosphere and noise in the 74,500-capacity stadium.

Warren Gatland wants the greenest Wales team for five years to forget their lack of know-how and play without fear. The Wales coach has gone for a youthful team – the most inexperienced Six Nations line-up since 2019 – to open their tournament campaign at home to Scotland on Saturday. Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett is handed a Test debut after just 15 games of professional rugby, 21-year-old Dafydd Jenkins will lead Wales out as his country’s youngest captain for 56 years, while six of the Wales’ replacements have just 12 caps between them.

Ryan Elias is hoping to have a front row reunion with lifelong pal Javan Sebastian after the Edinburgh tighthead was added to the Scotland squad this week following the withdrawal of his Edinburgh colleague WP Nel. Wales hooker Elias and Sebastian go all the way back to playing together with the U11s at Carmarthen Athletic.

Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys wants the capacity Welsh crowd to turn up the volume at the Principality Stadium for the opening game of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations against Scotland to make the atmosphere as noisy as possible. The Scots will arrive seeking their first win in Cardiff in 22 years. They have lost on their last 11 visits and Humphreys believes the noise and atmosphere at the home of Welsh rugby has been one of the biggest barriers to Scotland winning.

Cardiff have confirmed the signing of Wales outside half Callum Sheedy on a long-term deal that will begin at the start of next season. The 28-year-old will be returning to the city in which he was born and raised after opting to end his 10-year association with Bristol Bears. He won his first representative honours for Cardiff Schools U15 and Cardiff South U16.

Aaron Wainwright comes into the first Test week of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations with big boots to fill but with a very settled outlook on life. The 26-year-old looks destined to take over the No 8 shirt from the injured Taulupe Faletau and be the senior figure in the Welsh back row in what will be his sixth Championship.

Warren Gatland is the pack whisperer who can turn raw rookies into war-hungry warriors, according to the Wales prop who has seen it done before. Ospreys front rower Gareth Thomas has had the soft words of Gatland to ease him into the transition to Test rugby since the New Zealander returned to Wales 16 months ago.

Aaron Wainwright has handed Welsh rugby a major pre-Six Nations boost by agreeing a new contract with the Dragons. The Wales back-row forward, who looks set to line up at number eight in next week’s Six Nations clash against Scotland, has agreed what the Dragons described as “a multi-year” deal.

Wales believe George North is progressing well from a shoulder injury picked up in Ospreys win over the Lions in Johannesburg in the EPCR Challenge Cup last weekend. Skills coach Neil Jenkins is confident the 118-times capped centre will be available for selection for next week’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland at Principality Stadium.

Wales have been warned a new sense of harmony can bring Scotland their first win in Cardiff for 22 years when the Six Nations kicks-off next week. Scotland’s Finn Russell believes his appointment as co-captain is testament to the newfound rapport between he and head coach Gregor Townsend following a fractious past.

Dafydd Jenkins believes it’s no bad thing that Wales have been written off by many as Six Nations no-hopers. Wales are no better than fifth favourites with most bookmakers for the tournament that starts next week, but the new skipper is unconcerned.

Warren Gatland has paid new Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins a major compliment by saying he expects to see him “in the mould of Alun Wyn Jones”. Jenkins has won many admirers through his captaincy of Exeter Chiefs, with the Gallagher Premiership club in title contention and progressing to the Investec Champions Cup knockout phase.

Harri Ackerman has been named captain of Wales U20s for their Six Nations campaign by head coach Richard Whiffin. Dragons centre Ackerman will lead a 37-man squad as clubmate and flanker Ryan Woodman has been ruled out with a broken thumb.