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.

Warren Gatland believes Wales can make a virtue out of a Six Nations squad that is young, raw and still wet behind the ears. The Wales coach reckons the boldness of youth and Welsh players’ earlier exposure to Test rugby than their rivals can all reap rewards in the tournament that begins next week.

Dragons coach Dai Flanagan admitted his team had missed a real opportunity as a slump in home form saw them slide out of Europe. The Dragons were unable to make it four wins in a row at Rodney Parade as they conceded five tries in a 29-9 defeat to the Sharks that saw them crash out of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

An injury to George North – and therefore a big scare for Wales – was the price paid by Toby Booth’s Ospreys after they won for the first time on South African soil against one of the ‘big four’ provinces. The Swansea region bagged a home game in the Round of 16 in the EPCR Challenge Cup with a stunning 38-28 win over the Lions in Johannesburg.

Cardiff Rugby bowed out of the Investec Champions Cup staying true to the style that has won them plenty of pats on the back this season, yet has failed to earn them a victory. Their 48-26 defeat to Top14 leaders Racing 92 at La Defense Arena in Paris was full of flair, effort and tries but in the end it was a chance lost to reach either the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup or Challenge Cup. Outscored by seven tries to four, Cardiff ended bottom of their pool with a -113 points difference having conceded 28 tries in their four fixtures.

The Scarlets miserable season continued as they were beaten 31-19 in their fourth and final EPCR Challenge Cup pool match as 13-man Edinburgh romped into the Round of 16. This latest defeat left the Scarlets anchored to the bottom of Pool 3 as they were outgunned by five tries to three.

Warren Gatland had joined the growing band of voices calling for an Anglo-Welsh League. The Wales head coach believes the RFU and the WRU need to come together to alliance to re-establish the old traditional rivalries that players and fans have always revelled.

The new American apprenticeship of Louis Rees-Zammit starts this weekend in Florida with the Wales wing having admitted he’s an absolute beginner. Rees-Zammit, who quit rugby union for the American gridiron, begins his dream of playing in the National Football League by joining 15 other international hopefuls at a Florida training camp.

Wales coach Tom Brindle is confident his team can get past Ireland and either Italy or the Netherlands to make it to their first Women’s Rugby League World Cup. The European qualifiers draw for the 2026 tournament has been completed and sees Ireland and Wales placed together in a group.

Warren Gatland is not only backing Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins to be up to the task of captaining Wales in the Guinness Six Nations, but also to develop into a major player for his country in the build-up to the next World Cup. The 21-year-old Jenkins was named as Wales captain in succession to injury victims Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, who co-captained Wales at the World Cup in the first half of the season.

Gloucester coach George Skivington believes that star wing Louis Rees-Zammit’s move to American football is not a “reflection on rugby”. Rees-Zammit has rocked the rugby world by quitting a sport which brought him 32 Wales caps and a starring role for the British and Irish Lions on their 2021 tour of South Africa.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – the Cardiff-born wing who snubbed Wales – has been included in the England squad for the Six Nations. The 21-year-old Exeter wing is part of England coach Steve Borthwick’s group for the tournament which will be captained by Jamie George.

Warren Gatland admits he has “no idea” if Louis Rees-Zammit will play rugby union again following his switch to American football. While Wales prepare for a Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland, Rees-Zammit will be concentrating on the NFL’s International Player Pathway in the hope of forging a gridiron career.

Louis Rees-Zammit has been made a 100-1 long shot to score a touchdown for an NFL team before next year’s Superbowl. Rees-Zammit stunned the rugby world when the Wales and Gloucester wing announced he was leaving rugby union for a crack at American football.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named Dafydd Jenkins as his new captain and five uncapped players in his squad for the Guinness Six Nations Championship. The squad announcement, though, was overshadowed by Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit being released by Gloucester to pursue his dream of a career in the NFL. Cardiff quartet Cameron Winnett, Evan Lloyd, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin, plus Bath prop Archie Griffin, have all been included among a 34-strong group, with Wales kicking off their campaign against Scotland on February 3.

Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has been sensationally released by his club Gloucester with immediate effect so he can “pursue his dream” of a career in American football. The Premiership club made the stunning announcement as Wales head coach Warren Gatland prepared to unveil his squad for the Guinness Six Nations Championship. Gloucester said: “Gloucester Rugby have agreed to release winger Louis Rees-Zammit with immediate effect to enable the 22-year-old to pursue his dream of playing in the National Football League.

As we wait for the Welsh Six Nations squad to be announced for the 2024 campaign there are a few interesting selections for Warren Gatland’s coaching team to consider. The general considerations that the coaches will take into account are player form and performance, injuries, balancing experience and youth, versatility, set piece strength, leadership qualities, previous international experience and cultural fit to a Gatland squad.

Adam Beard is favourite to be named Wales’ Six Nations captain on Tuesday lunchtime when coach Warren Gatland reveals his squad for the tournament. Injuries and a new skipper look set to take centre stage when Gatland names his group for the tournament.