Warren Gatland believes there is a need for discussion on Wales’ 60-cap selection rule amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of several players. The policy was established in 2017, with players who subsequently signed contracts to ply their trade outside Wales deemed ineligible for Test selection unless they have won at 60 caps or more. And the situation is now magnified due to a recruitment freeze affecting Wales’ four professional regions of Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets.

The Ospreys will have to hit the road again after being drawn away to Saracens in their Heineken Champions Cup last-16 tie. A late try from flanker Ben Earl secured Saracens a losing bonus point at the DAM Health Stadium as they were beaten 20-14 by Edinburgh. That pushed them ahead of Edinburgh into fourth place in Pool A on tries scored, handing them a home game with Ospreys.

Former employees of Welsh rugby’s governing body have accused the organisation of a “toxic culture” of sexism. Two women have said they considered suicide after suffering alleged sexism and bullying within the organisation. One woman claimed she went as far as to write a manual for her husband on what to do in the event of her death.

Toby Booth has revealed a back-to-basics campaign has been the bedrock to the Ospreys’ success in Europe this season. The Swansea region are waiting to learn their opponents after securing a home draw in the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup – the first time they have reached the knockout stages for 13 years. It came after they earned one the best results by any Welsh team in Europe, a dramatic 27-26 away at Leicester Tigers on Friday night.

Alex Cuthbert reckons the blend of wise old heads and fresh-faced kids is the secret to the Ospreys’ revival this season. The 32-year-old Wales wing will be part a team in red hot form when they face Leicester Tigers in a decisive Heineken Champions Cup clash on Friday night which is live on S4C. Cuthbert retained his place in the Wales squad this week, alongside his thirtysomething Ospreys teammates, Alun Wyn Jones, 37, Rhys Webb 34, Justin Tipuric, 33, and 30-year-old George North.

By Paul Jones Sam Warburton insists Warren Gatland can vindicate his decision to return to Wales by improving the team for the Six Nations and the forthcoming World Cup. Warburton was Gatland’s captain for much of his first spell in charge of Wales and believes the Welsh Ruby Union were right to bring him back […]

By David Williams Warren Gatland insists he is looking forward to locking horns with Eddie Jones again at this year’s World Cup – although he admits he was shocked to hear their reunion will be so sudden. Gatland enjoyed some memorable skirmishes with Jones around Wales v England clashes in the past and the two […]

Ken Owens has been named as Wales captain in a familiar-looking squad with Warren Gatland admitting it was too late in the day for a radical overhaul. The appointment of Owens, 36, reflects the short-term nature of Gatland’s Six Nations squad selection. Although there are four uncapped players, the elevation of Owens and the inclusion of veterans 37-year-old Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, 34, Rhys Webb 34, Justin Tipuric, 33, Dan Biggar 33, and Taulupe Faletau, 32 means the group has retained much of the feel of Gatland’s previous spell in charge which ended three years ago.

Dan Biggar is firm favourite to become Wales captain once more under Warren Gatland. That’s the view of Biggar’s former Ospreys coach Sean Holley, who reckons the hugely experienced Toulon No.10 is the man Gatland will turn to for the upcoming Six Nations campaign. Biggar missed the whole of the Autumn Nations series because of injury, which forced former Wales coach Wayne Pivac to hand the armband to Justin Tipuric.

Cai Evans has earned fulsome praise from Ospreys head coach Toby Booth after his superb goal-kicking helped take his side to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup. Evans landed three conversions and three penalties to claim 15 points as the Ospreys beat Montpellier 35-29 in Swansea, despite being outscored by five tries to four. The difference was the goal-kicking of Evans – son of Wales legend and Welsh Rugby Union chairman, Ieuan – as the French champions missed four attempts at goal.

Former Ospreys coach Sean Holley has backed his old team to do the double over Montpellier this weekend – but doesn’t expect them to go deep into the Heineken European Champions Cup. The Ospreys will bid to repeat their stunning December victory over the French champions on Saturday night at the Swanssea.com Stadium in a match that is live on S4C. Holley – now a respected TV pundit and analyst for a host of broadcasters – reckons the only Welsh region in Europe’s premier tournament are capable of repeating their 21-10 triumph across the channel.

By Paul Jones Warren Gatland is returning to a rugby league defence coach to assist him with Wales – in an echo of his successful partnership with Shaun Edwards. Gatland is set to appoint former Wigan star Mike Forshaw as his Wales defence coach in succession to Gethin Jenkins as well as Alex King as […]

By David Williams One of Welsh rugby’s favourite English sons – David “Dai” Duckham – has been hailed a major star of the post-war game after passing away at the age of 76. The former England wing – who was held in rare affection in Wales – was a leading player in the 1970s and […]

By Harry Corish Shane Williams insists the Ospreys are back to their best – and can prove it with a statement win over eight-times URC Champions Leinster this weekend. The Swansea-based region take on the only side left unbeaten in the URC this season, Leinster – who have won their first 11 games of the […]

By Harry Corish Matt O’Brien insists his side must learn from mistakes made against Ebbw Vale but hopes they can get back to winning ways against a resurgent RGC side, to put themselves back in the top six of the Indigo Premiership. It is a huge game for both sides, with RGC currently sit in […]

By Harry Corish Former Wales under 20’s captain Tom Phillips is looking forward to the test of facing his old mentor, as Llanelli hope to be a stumbling block to Ebbw Vale’s remarkable rise in the Indigo Premiership under the former Wales under 20’s head coach Jason Strange. Strange chose Phillips to captain his Wales […]

By Simon Thomas Robin McBryde heads back to Wales this week in the firm belief that a certain other individual’s return will be having a major galvanising effect on players there. The 37-times capped ex-hooker will be in Swansea on Saturday with runaway BKT United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster as they take on the Ospreys. […]

By David Williams Gloucester boss George Skivington does not expect injured Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit to play for the club again before this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship kicks off. The 21-year-old wing is facing a race against time to be fit for Wales’ Six Nations opener – and first game with Warren Gatland back […]

The Scarlets survived a red card to No8 Sione Kalamafoni to secure a much-needed second URC victory over of the season in a 33-17 win over the Dragons. The Tongan international was dismissed by referee Ben Whitehouse for running into a free-for-all and throwing two punches at Welsh international backrower Ross Moriarty towards the end of the first half.

The Ospreys escaped with a tense 19-22 victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park in the BKT United Rugby Championship after Jarrod Evans blew a late opportunity. Evans had a chance to earn the home side a share of the spoils with the last kick of the match, but his penalty attempt failed to reach the target. The defeat sees Cardiff slip to eight in the points table while the Ospreys rise to 12th after securing their second consecutive derby win of the festive season.