Kirby Myhill admits there was some dark humour used to soothe any nervousness when he and the rest of the Cardiff squad checked into their South African hotel this week. For the hooker and most of the others in the group, this was a return to the country where they had become unscheduled long term inmates following the outbreak of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 back in December. “There were a few jokes flying around when we checked into the hotel about how long we might be here, but hopefully this will be a better trip than last time,” says Myhill.

Indigo Premiership leaders Newport welcome old rivals Cardiff to Rodney Parade on Saturday for a game that could be crucial in deciding where the league title ends up this season. The Black & Ambers currently sit top of the pile, two points ahead of Saturday’s opponents with just five games remaining of the league campaign. It’s been an impressive campaign for Newport, who are currently unbeaten in the league and also comfortably through to the Premiership Cup semi-finals.

By David Williams Dan Biggar admitted Wales had let France off the hook after the Grand Slam chasers left Cardiff with a narrow victory to stay on course for a Six Nations clean sweep. The Wales captain was a frustrated figure after his team failed to take their opportunities before losing 13-9 at the Principality […]

Dan Biggar insists Wales will be concentrating on getting their own house in order rather than putting too much emphasis on stopping individual players against firm favourites France on Friday night. The Northampton Saints playmaker will captain Wales at the Principality Stadium against a formidable France side who are chasing a Six Nations Grand Slam. France have some of the world best players in their ranks including current world player of the year Antoine Dupont.

Wales Under 20s fell to a 47-15 defeat to a powerful France Under 20s side in Colwyn Bay. Byron Hayward’s side showed plenty of character but were ultimately undone by the class of France who have moved to the top of the Under 20s Six Nations table, with Wales back in fourth place. Wales started well enough with Jac Lloyd smashing over a penalty from 42 metres out.

Only Wales and England now stand between Les Bleus and glory, with Fabien Galthie’s hugely impressive France side firmly on course for a first Six Nations title since 2010. After brushing aside Italy and battling past key rivals Ireland, ruthless France claimed an emphatic 36-17 bonus-point victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. Tomas Marks is a big admirer. However, he insists they do have some faults. “The end game is to become a major nation in world rugby, to win matches and win titles so we can be in the top three in the world,” said Fabien Galthie at the start of his reign as France’s head coach in November 2019. So far, so good. France are currently number three in the World Rugby standings and on course to live up to that billing when they host the World Cup next year.

Wayne Pivac insists Wales are not making a “grave error” in picking Tomas Francis to play against France – despite the protests of many, including Alix Popham. Progressive Rugby – the campaign group on head injuries – as well as Professor John Fairclough and former Wales international Popham have all voiced their dismay that Francis is starting the game on Friday night, despite the blow to the head which left him staggering around the field at Twickenham during the match against England 13 days ago. But Pivac, the Wales head coach, has confirmed that Francis has passed each stage of World Rugby’s return-to-play head injury protocols and had also been seen by an independent concussion specialist – something which is not required under the rules.

Wayne Pivac has lavished praise on France captain and world player of the year Antoine Dupont ahead of Friday’s Guinness Six Nations clash. Victories over Wales and then England in Paris next week would see Dupont lead France to their first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010. The Toulouse scrum-half is at the peak of his powers, and he presents a huge threat to Wales’ hopes of stopping France in their tracks.

By Gareth James Wales coach Wayne Pivac has backed Josh Navidi to return with a bang against France this Friday, despite him only having 80 minutes of rugby under his belt since injuring his shoulder back in October. This will be Navidi’s first appearance for Wales since facing France in last year’s Guinness Six Nations, a match in which he scored his first test try for his country.

By David Williams Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau look set to be reunited in Wales’ back row for the Guinness Six Nations clash against France on Friday. They have not played a Test match together since Wales saw their Grand Slam dream ended by France in Paris almost a year ago. Number eight Faletau returned […]

By Haydn Evans Cardiff RFC’s in-form backs Theo Cabango and Jacob Beetham have arrived in South Africa as part of the regional team’s 33-man playing squad for their games against the Lions and Stormers. Their call up has come as no surprise to Cardiff cult hero Dan Fish who has been playing and training with […]

By Haydn Evans Wales defence coach Gethin Jenkins is relatively new to the international coaching scene, having only been in the job 17 months. This weekend he’s tasked with stopping Grand Slam chasing France, and their golden generation of talent including Toulouse duo Antione Dupont and Romain Ntamack. In Wales’ game against Les Bleus in […]

By Haydn Evans Wales have defended themselves against accusations they have placed Tomas Francis at risk by declaring the prop fit to face France on Friday. Francis, wing Josh Adams and centre Owen Watkin have all been passed fit to play in Wales’ Six Nations clash in Cardiff. But it is the all-clear given to […]

By Graham Thomas Tomos Williams has warned Wales they will face an emergency if they only shout, “nine, nine, nine!” when they defend their lines against France on Friday night. The two most skilled scrum-halves in the Six Nations will go head-to-head in Cardiff when Williams faces French superstar Antoine Dupont. But even though Dupont […]

Keiran Williams has often been compared to one of the great Lions centres, but it’s another more recent legend who he admits he tries to model his game on. The Ospreys centre has been likened to Scott Gibbs for his direct and dynamic power, shifting balance and quick feet in close quarters. But it is former Ireland captain Brian O’’Driscoll who Williams has studied, a more recent version of a player who eventually learned how to combine forcefulness with flair.

Taylor Davies aims to silence the Munster crowd at Thomond Park on Saturday night and strike a blow for the hooker’s union. The Dragons front rower will be looking to help Dean Ryan’s side gain only their second win of the season in the United Rugby Championship. It seems a long time ago since the Dragons earned a hard-fought victory away to Connacht on October 9, but Taylor believes they are capable of producing another shock across the Irish Sea in a match that is live on S4C on Saturday night.

By Paul Jones Jonathan Davies believes Wales need to negate the threat posed by France at the breakdown when they meet at the Principality Stadium next Friday night. France are on course for a Six Nations grand slam having already beaten Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, respectively. And test centurion Davies believes the breakdown is an […]

By David Williams Josh Navidi could make a return for Wales in the final two rounds of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations after being named in the Cardiff team to face Ulster in Belfast on Friday night. The flanker suffered a dislocated shoulder in early October and was originally expected to miss the entire Championship. […]

By Haydn Evans Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young, and Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel both believe their nightmare visits to South Africa before Christmas will not be repeated. Both regions were left stranded after an outbreak of the omicron variant of Covid 19. Most of the blue and blacks’ squad were stuck in South […]

By Gareth James Dewi Lake and James Ratti are living proof that community club rugby in Wales can still take a youngster from village fields to the Principality Stadium. And sometimes the transformation from childhood ambitions to living the dream can happen almost overnight. Before the current Six Nations started, few would have bet on […]