Wales Women outside-half Elinor Snowsill is expecting a backlash from Ireland in this Saturday’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations opener but is confident Wales are up to the task. Ioan Cunningham’s side travel to Dublin to face an Ireland side hurting at missing out on World Cup qualification. Snowsill expects a tough challenge but is excited on the eve oof the tournament, which is expected to generate more interest than any previously held.

Former international referee Nigel Owens reckons Wales are as low as they have been for a number of years following Saturday’s shock defeat to Italy, and based on current form, they will struggle to reach the knockout stages of next year’s World Cup. Wales ended up finishing fifth in this year’s Six Nations following their 22-21 loss to Italy in Cardiff, and Owens believes they have got a lot of work to do before the 2023 World Cup comes around. “This is as low as Wales have been for a number of years,” Owens told William Hill.

By Gareth James Wales have now dropped outside the top eight teams in the world following their dismal defeat to Italy on Saturday- they currently find themselves closer to Japan and Fiji, rather than the likes of France, Ireland and England. Wayne Pivac’s side have consequently fallen to ninth in the rankings, with Argentina now moving into the top eight.

Alun Wyn Jones reckons some Welsh players have been saddled for the final time and are about to be put out to grass – but the old warhorse doesn’t plan to be one of them. Jones may be the oldest player in the squad and injuries over the past two seasons have disrupted his career, but he appears determined to continue. The 36-year-old’s landmark 150th cap for his country turned into a nightmare on Saturday as Italy won in Cardiff for the first time to scratch a seven-year losing itch in the Six Nations.

Wayne Pivac insists he will get it right again with Wales and is still the man to take them to next year’s World Cup. His defiance came after the head coach suffered his worst day in the job – a shock 22-21 defeat to Italy in Cardiff. It meant Wales finished fifth in the final Six Nations table a year after winning the title as Italy won for the first time in the tournament for seven years.

Wales finish their Six Nations campaign at home to Italy, where a win for Wayne Pivac’s side could lead to a third-placed finish. The Italians have lost 36 consecutive matches in the tournament, but Tomas Marks says the Azzurri have reason to remain hopeful, despite the weight of statistics piling up against them. “Everyone tells them they’re bad and they believe it,” says from Conor O’Shea about Italian rugby. Over the last 36 matches in the Six Nations, Italy – who play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday in the final round of the Six Nations – have allowed too many episodes of self-doubt to affect their performances.

Alun Wyn Jones will win his 150th cap for Wales against Italy on Saturday – a landmark no other player, for any country, has ever reached before. But the selection was not without controversy since it is four months since cap No.149 and as Harri Morgan considers, others on his position were developing strongly. Belting out all of the ‘gwlads’ for a 150th time, surrounded by supporters in a packed Principality Stadium. Relieved that a week of awkward limelight deflection is behind him.

Stephen Jones has hailed Dan Biggar’s “incredible achievement” as he prepares to welcome him into Wales’ 100-cap club. And former Wales fly-half Jones has also highlighted the “mental resilience” required for longevity in Welsh rugby’s highest-profile playing position. Wales assistant coach Jones reached three figures almost 11 years ago when he lined up against the Barbarians in Cardiff.

Wales Women head coach Ioan Cunningham has targeted three wins from their upcoming Six Nations campaign. Cunningham has named a 37-strong squad ahead of their championship opener in Ireland next weekend, a tournament in which interest and expectations will have been raised due to much needed modernising of the women’s game in Wales. Wales have been bolstered by having professional players in their ranks for the first time, following the Welsh Rugby Union’s historic decision to award 12 full-time contracts in January.

Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale against Italy will be a very special occasion for Wales captain Dan Biggar. The Northampton Saints playmaker has been breaking records throughout the course of this championship having become the 140th player to lead Wales, while also winning his 100th test cap against Scotland. But at the Principality Stadium on Saturday the 32-year-old will win his 100th cap for Wales against the Azzurri.

Wayne Pivac has denied suggestions Wales have brought back Alun Wyn Jones as a marketing ploy to sell tickets. The 36-year-old second row has regained fitness from a shoulder injury to come back straight into the side for their final match of the Six Nations at home to Italy on Saturday. It will be Jones’ 150th cap for Wales – a landmark achievement – while Dan Biggar, who retains the captaincy, will become the seventh Welsh player to reach 100 appearances for his country.

The 2022 Guinness Six Nations reaches its climax this weekend with the final round of fixtures all on Saturday as France chase the Grand Slam. Much of the build-up in the week will focus on the team announcements ahead of the all-important final round. Round 4 saw France keep their Grand Slam hopes alive with […]

Wales U20 centre Joe Hawkins is confident his side can bounce back from defeat to France and finish the U20 Six Nations off in style with a victory against Italy at Parc Eirias on Sunday. The Ospreys midfielder, who took over the Welsh captaincy from the suspended Alex Mann, says his side have bounced back from adversity before and they deserve to finish off their campaign with a victory. “We have worked hard throughout this tournament; we’ve had to bounce back from adversity after the first game, so we have shown a lot of character already. I think we deserve another ‘W’ but that is on us to go out and put a performance in.

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham believes his team are well placed to make an impact in the Tik Tok Women’s Six Nations despite defeat to the USA in their warm-up game. Cunningham’s side lost 31-23 to the Americans at Parc y Scarlets at the weekend, where the previously overlooked Sioned Harries made her first appearance in over two years. It was Wales’ first match since the Welsh Rugby Union introduced full-time professional contracts for 12 players and although it ended in defeat, Cunningham felt it was a useful marker against a team ranked sixth in the world.

Taulupe Faletau insists Wales are better than their results would have us believe and reckons the proof will come next season. The Wales No.8 claims 2023 – which includes a World Cup as well as a Six Nations – will see Wales revert to being a team that wins close games rather than loses them. The Lions star produced a familiar world class display which almost proved enough to deny Grand Slam-seeking France in a raucous Cardiff on Friday night before Les Bleus edged home, 13-9.

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.