Welsh Rugby

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All Sis-tems Go! . . . Sisilia Tuipulotu Tipped To Conquer The World After Wales Crush Ireland

Sisilia Tuipulotu was hailed as being on her way to becoming one of the best prop forwards in the world after her try capped an emphatic victory for Wales over Ireland in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations. Tuipulotu scored the last of Wales’ five tries as they hammered under-strength Ireland 31-5 at Cardiff Arms Park in the opening round fixture. In front of a record home crowd of 4,962, the 19-year-old from Newport powered over in her first Test start in the front row – after switching from lock – to cap an impressive display and earn a glowing accolade from head coach Ioan Cunningham.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 26, 2023
Dwayne Peel - Credit Andrew Orchard Alamy

Scarlets’ Dwayne Peel Admits His Team Must Muscle Up Against Sharks With The Bite Of 10 Springboks

Dwayne Peel has warned his Scarlets they will have to withstand a Boks battering if they are to get anything out of their return to action on Saturday night. While the region are unable to rely on their rested and the wounded after their Six Nations efforts, the Sharks will come armed to their sharpest teeth from South Africa in the shape of 10 Springbok internationals.

Graham Thomas | Mar 25, 2023
Six Nations promo

Kelsey Jones Insists Wales Can Gatecrash Into Six Nations Elite

Kelsey Jones is refusing to settle for the best of the rest tag as she sets her sights on a TikTok Women’s Six Nations to remember with Wales. The hooker, who will start in the No.2 jersey against Ireland in the 2023 curtain-raiser on Saturday, is among the 25 players now on a full-time WRU contract having been part of the latest cohort to earn a deal earlier this month.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 25, 2023
Six Nations promo

Elinor Snowsill Insists Wales Can Build On Third Place Finish As New TikTok Women’s Six Nations Begins

Elinor Snowsill says Wales are determined to make this year’s TikTok Six Nations as good, if not better than last year’s, with excitement and anticipation building in the camp. Last season, Ioan Cunningham’s squad finished third behind England and France after winning their opening two games against Scotland and Ireland, both of which they will play in reverse order this year.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 24, 2023
Super Rygbi Cymru

The WRU Move From Sweet Talk To Stark Talk As They Tell Clubs . . . Back The Plans Or Starve

John Manders has told the rank-and-file clubs across Wales not to worry about their future funding providing they back the Welsh Rugby Union’s governance proposals at next Sunday’s EGM in Port Talbot. Manders is chairman of the union’s Community Game Board and is responsible for the £10.4m ring-fenced budget that is invested in the running of the community game in Wales.

David Parsons | Mar 24, 2023
Six Nations promo

Playing Through The Taine Barrier . . . Dragons Star Basham Eager To Win Back Wales Spot

Taine Basham is the first to admit his outlook on life has changed completely since becoming a dad. His partner, Giovanna, gave birth to a baby boy in December, with little Tomas now four months old. It’s put everything in a new perspective for the Dragons back row forward, including the ups and downs of the past couple of years on the rugby front.

Editor | Mar 24, 2023
Six Nations promo

Wales Ready To Start TikTok Six Nations With A Bang Against Ireland On Saturday

Wales kick off the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations on Saturday and here is where you can watch all the weekend’s action in the UK and Ireland. Wales welcome Ireland in the first game of the Championship, with the hosts keen to build on their third-place finish last year. Holders England then take on Scotland at a sold-out Kingston Park, no fear if you are not one of the lucky ones with a ticket, the match is live on TV and radio.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 22, 2023
Ospreys players at the Swansea.com stadium. Pic: Andrew Orchard/Alamy Live news

Dan Lydiate . . . Doing It All Over Again, But This Time For Dad

Throughout his career, Dan Lydiate has demonstrated a driven determination to fight his way back from injury. After all, this is someone who broke his neck while playing rugby as a teenager and is still going strong some 16 years later. Yet his motivation for returning from his latest lay-off – due to a broken arm suffered on Wales duty – was greater than ever. He was intent on doing it for his father.

Editor | Mar 22, 2023
George North. Pic: Ospreys

Pride – And Records – Are The Spur For George North, A Flicker Of Light In The Darkness For Wales

Wales star George North has spoken of his pride after moving into the all-time top 10 of international rugby union try scorers. North’s early touchdown against Guinness Six Nations opponents France was his 46th for Wales and the British and Irish Lions. It put him level with New Zealand trio Christian Cullen, Joe Rokocoko and Julian Savea, and just one behind Irish great Brian O’Driscoll.

Paul Jones | Mar 20, 2023

Dan Edwards Aims For James Hook-Inspired Final Fling In France For Wales U20

By Graham Thomas Dan Edwards hopes the James Hook flair factor can finally deliver a victory for the Wales U20s on Sunday night. Edwards will again be the man with his hand on the tiller at No.10 when the Welsh youngsters try to end their Six Nations campaign with a first victory against their French […]

Graham Thomas | Mar 19, 2023
Warren Gatland. Pic: Simon King/Replay Images

Warren Gatland Insists His Clutched Straws Can Be Used To Build A World Cup Shelter

Warren Gatland insists the straws he was left clutching after defeat in Paris can be used to build a World Cup revival. Most Welsh fans were fearing the worst at the Stade de France, but the glint in the eye of Gatland post-match proved he finally felt he had got something positive out of his team at the fifth time of asking in this tournament, despite a 41-28 defeat.  “I’m really proud of the effort the players put in. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but I thought we showed some real character out there today,” said Wales coach Galtand, who made 27 changes over the course of the Six Nations and used 35 players. 

Paul Jones | Mar 19, 2023

Wales Used To Be Innovative . . . But Now It’s France Who Have All The Tricks Up Their Sleeve

In Warren Gatland’s first tenure with Wales, he was innovative and progressive. He utilised the rule of 60 caps, employed Shaun Edwards as defence coach, located training camps in Poland and Switzerland, oversaw 45-minute training sessions, built a cryotherapy programme, captured Paul Stridgeon as head of physical performance, and made Sam Warburton a young captain – all in a quest to be world class.

Editor | Mar 18, 2023
Taulupe Faletau promo

Taulupe Faletau Cried After Selection Snub . . . It Never Happened Again, Says Cousin Billy Vunipola

Taulupe Faletau has been acclaimed as one of the true greats of Welsh rugby by his cousin, England star Billy Vunipola. Faletau, 32, will win his 100th cap against France in Paris on Saturday and can celebrate in style afterwards with a glass of the expensive Japanese whiskey Vunipola is sending him to mark the occasion.

Graham Thomas | Mar 18, 2023
Six Nations promo

France Coach Fabien Galthie Demands Showtime In Paris In Springtime . . . With Wales As Lesser Supporting Cast

After demolishing England with a performance that made him cry with joy, France coach Fabien Galthié wants his entertainers to finish the Six Nations in style with a home win against Wales on Saturday. Defending champions France even have an outside chance of keeping their title. But they must beat Wales at Stade de France and hope No. 1-ranked Ireland then slip up at home to an England side reeling from last weekend’s 53-10 hammering by Les Tricolores.

Paul Jones | Mar 17, 2023
Wales head coach Warren Gatland talking at a press conference. Pic: Alamy.

Taulupe Faletau Set To Win 100th Cap For Wales As Warren Gatland Makes Six Changes

Taulupe Faletau has been described as a ”fantastic servant” for Welsh rugby as he prepares to win his 100th cap for Wales against France on Saturday. Wales coach Warren Gatland has lavished praised on Faletau who has kept his place for the final round of the Six Nations, in a team for Paris that shows six changes. No.8 Faletau will reach his century mark having made his debut against the Barbarians in June 2011 and won his 50th cap against Fiji at the World Cup in 2015.

Paul Jones | Mar 16, 2023
Six Nations promo

The Lee Byrne Ultimatum . . . Back The Wales Players, Wherever They Play Their Club Rugby

Former Wales full-back Lee Byrne says his former side face a “huge task” on Saturday as they head to defending champions France in the Six Nations. Les Bleus claimed a record 53-10 victory at Twickenham last weekend and can retain their trophy with a bonus-point win at the Stade de France if Ireland fail to claim a point against England in Dublin later in the day. Wales’ only victory of the tournament in coach Warren Gatland’s second spell came last weekend in Italy.

Paul Jones | Mar 16, 2023
Super Rygbi Cymru

Maggie Alphonsi Takes Her Place On WRU Panel

England World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi has been appointed to the independent review panel that will report on organisational culture and behaviour within the Welsh Rugby Union. Sport Resolutions, administrators of the review, had previously confirmed former Court of Appeal judge Dame Anne Rafferty as panel chair, and she will be joined by Alphonsi and Quentin Smith. A commissioning advisory group has also been established to support the review, which comprises WRU representative Henry Engelhardt and Sport Wales’ Emma Wilkins, the WRU said.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 16, 2023
Antoine Dupont. Pic: Abaca Press/Alamy Live News

Wales Admit: Antoine Dupont Is The Best We’ve Ever Seen

Wales assistant coach Alex King has compared France captain Antoine Dupont with New Zealand superstar Dan Carter in terms of the way he influences Test matches. Wales face France in Paris on Saturday, when a bonus-point victory for Les Bleus would maintain pressure on Guinness Six Nations leaders and title favourites Ireland. And Wales’ acute degree of difficulty has not been helped by full-back Liam Williams missing out due to a shoulder injury.

David Williams | Mar 16, 2023
Six Nations promo

Wales Still In World’s Top 10 After Win In Italy . . . As Ireland Stay Clear Of The Rest

The latest World Rugby rankings have seen Wales move into ninth place following the weekend’s Six Nations action. Wales fell to 10th following the 20-10 loss to England in Round Three but have regained ninth after defeating Italy. Wales avoid dropping out of the top 10

David Williams | Mar 14, 2023
Scarlets captain Ken Owens. Pic: Craig Thomas/Replay Images.

Ken Owens Is Smiling Again . . . But Now The Serious Business Of A Daunting Trip To France For Wales

The delight at winning for the first time in this year’s Six Nations was writ large all over the faces of the Wales players, but the man wearing the biggest smile of them all was without doubt the captain, Ken Owens. What has appeared to be a poisoned chalice at times over the past five weeks had finally turned into something resembling hope for the recently installed leader.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 13, 2023