Wales coach Warren Gatland is set to name his team on Thursday afternoon to face Scotland this weekend in round two of the Six Nations. There’s been plenty to ponder after the heavy defeat at home to Ireland, as Tomas Marks outlines with his deep dive review. Having delved into the statistics after the Wales and Ireland match, the Irish were in imperious form in Cardiff with their back row shining bright. Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony were faultless in the back row battle, conceding no penalties, 98% tackle success and Flier and Doris carrying the ball forward a metre more per carry than Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is considering major changes to his side ahead of their Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday. Gatland is looking to reinvigorate the Welsh pack with youngsters Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza after a disappointing 34-10 loss to Ireland in the first round of the tournament. The head coach is contemplating giving Exeter Chiefs captain Jenkins his first Test start, while Jenkins’ teammate Tshiunza could also earn a place in the starting lineup, depending on his fitness.

Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw acknowledged the impact Shaun Edwards has made on him but insists he will do the job his own way. Forshaw’s fellow Wiganer enjoyed sustained success with Wales in the same role that Forshaw now has. The current France defence specialist played a key part in Wales winning four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals during Warren Gatland’s first stint as Wales boss between 2008 and 2019.

Wales have been warned by Scotland hero Duhan van der Merwe that they now fancy their chances against any team in the world. Warren Gatland’s team – humbled by a 34-10 opening Six Nations defeat at home to Ireland – now have to go to Murrayfield on Saturday to face a Scottish side riding the crest of a wave. Scotland winger van der Merwe admits he “giggles” when he watches his Twickenham wonder try.

Warren Gatland tried to find some thin silver linings but Ireland’s cloudburst washed out any hope of a victory parade in his second stint as Wales coach. The Welsh Rugby Union turned to Gatland after Wayne Pivac’s three-year reign came to an end in December, with the idea that he could hit the ground running in the Six Nations and continue the momentum into this year’s World Cup. But there was little evidence of any Gatland factor in the opening game of the tournament as Ireland won 34-10 at the Principality Stadium – their biggest tournament win in Cardiff for 22 years.

Warren Gatland has been backed to make a success of his second stint in charge of Wales – but it won’t be pretty, according to the man who ground out more victories than most. JPR Williams enjoyed a phenomenal success rate of over 70 per cent in 55 Tests for Wales and believes Gatland can restore the winning habit when his second stint in charge begins with Wales’ opening Six Nations match against Ireland. “I think if anyone can put up a decent show, it’ll be him,” says Williams of Gatland ahead of the Ireland clash, which is live on S4C on Saturday.

Luca Giannini has revealed how the meteoric rise of Joe Hawkins is inspiring the current crop of Wales U20 youngsters. Scarlets teenager Giannini will make his Six Nations bow as one of the youngest players in coach Byron Hayward’s side when Wales host Ireland in Colwyn Bay on Friday night in a match that is live on S4C. But the 18-year-old back rower – whose family swapped the Bay of Naples for the Carmarthenshire coast – holds an ultimate aim of following Hawkins into the senior squad in double quick time.

Friends, colleagues and admirers of Eddie Butler joined in a heartfelt celebration of the rich life of the former Wales captain on Thursday afternoon. Abergavenny Market Hall was the venue for an emotional memorial service for the much-loved and multi-talented broadcaster and writer, who died last September while on a charity event in Peru. Around 750 people gathered to hear former Pontypool and Wales teammates share their memories of the1983 British and Irish Lions tourist, who went on to become the voice of the Six Nations as well as an esteemed national newspaper writer.

Warren Gatland believes Wales will relish being underdogs for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Ireland. The Principality Stadium encounter kicks off Gatland’s second stint as Wales head coach, with his previous reign between 2008 and 2019 yielding four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals. Ireland will arrive in Cardiff as the world’s top-ranked team following a memorable year when they beat New Zealand twice, South Africa and Australia.

By Paul Evans The Acting Chief Executive of Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Nigel Walker, has warned that the allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism, and homophobia that have come to light could put the future of rugby in Wales at risk. The allegations of a “toxic culture” within the WRU were revealed in a recent TV […]

By David Williams Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) acting CEO, Nigel Walker, has expressed regret over the handling of allegations of sexism and misogyny within the organisation. He took over as acting CEO after Steve Phillips resigned on Sunday. Two women had complained about a “toxic culture” within the WRU, leading to an investigation by the […]

  By David Williams The Welsh Rugby Union’s chief executive Steve Phillips has resigned after an investigation uncovered complaints of racism, sexism and homophobia. Nigel Walker will take over as acting CEO with immediate effect, the organisation confirmed, after a number of former employees spoke out as part of a BBC Wales Investigates programme that […]

Rhys Webb has taken inspiration from football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after ending more than two years in the international rugby wilderness. Ospreys scrum-half Webb is on course to make his first Wales appearance since November 2020 in next Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland. Webb, who toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions, featured on just five occasions during Wayne Pivac’s 34-Test reign as Wales head coach.

Dwayne Peel was able to enjoy one of the best victories during his time as head coach at the Scarlets as his side picked up a 37-28 bonus-point win over the Bulls on Friday. Despite having five players away on Wales duty and a number of others ruled out through injury, the Parc y Scarlets faithful saw their side notch a first win over the Bulls in the URC and pick up a fourth try late in the game to take the extra point. It was their fifth win in a row this year in all competitions and moved them ahead of the Dragons in the table.

The Welsh Rugby Players Association has urged the Welsh Rugby Union to take the “strongest possible action” after allegations of sexism and bullying within the organisation. An open letter was sent to WRU chairman Ieuan Evans from the WRPA following a BBC investigation, which featured former WRU employees alleging incidents including racism and homophobia during their time with the organisation. One contributor claimed she had considered suicide as a result of her experiences.

James Botham insists Cardiff have forced their critics to eat their words, having recovered from heavy defeats earlier in the season. It’s a big claim from the Wales international, given that the team have lost three of their four matches played so far this year. But as Cardiff prepare for the toughest assignment in European rugby – a trip to Dublin to face Leinster on Saturday evening in a game that is live on S4C – Botham believes the capital city region have already proved some sceptics wrong and insists there is more to come.

By Harry Corish Dwayne Peel believes the Bulls will provide his confident Scarlets side with a tough challenge on Friday night, as they look to build on their recent success in Europe. The Scarlets return to URC action this weekend by welcoming the third-place Bulls to Parc y Scarlets. The South African side have won […]

New attack coach Alex King says Wales are determined to play an entertaining brand which is rooted deep in the country’s DNA. King joined up with the rest of Warren Gatland’s coaching staff on Monday, with the New Zealander having chosen the former England fly-half to replace Stephen Jones as attack coach. The 47-year-old has little time to get his messages and methods across ahead of the Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 4, but King is confident that he can do so to mark Gatland’s Wales return with a winning start.

By Paul Jones Welsh Rugby Union chair Ieuan Evans has vowed that a taskforce that includes “external expertise” will be established to help tackle allegations of sexist bullying and the use of racist and homophobic language within the governing body. A number of former WRU employees took part in an investigation by BBC Wales – […]

By David Williams Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Steve Phillips is facing calls to resign and the governing body’s sponsors have also demanded action in the wake of serious sexism allegations. It was revealed last March that Charlotte Wathan had made a series of damning accusations against her old employers. Among them was a […]