By Graham Thomas   Rhys Williams has backed Louis Rees-Zammit to come through his D-day in Dublin on Saturday – just as Williams did himself for Wales 21 years ago. Rees-Zammit will make his first appearance at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland’s noisy citadel, when Wales open their Six Nations campaign – and begin the defence […]

By Graham Thomas Harri Williams might have been preparing to play Wimbledon this year if he had enjoyed a growth spurt when he was 11 years-old. The Scarlets youngster might also have become an eye-catching young professional footballer if he had stayed with Colchester United in his teens. Instead, Williams is preparing for a second […]

Wayne Pivac insists if Josh Adams can make the same impact as George North after his move to centre, then Wales will be well served against Ireland on Saturday. Adams will make his first Test match appearance in the centre  in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener after 35 Wales starts as a wing. Adams, who was top try-scorer at the 2019 World Cup, would have featured there in the Autumn Nations Series appointment with Fiji this season, but he suffered an injury during the warm-up and did not start.

By Paul Jones Steve Phillips insists his “half measures” policy will stop drunken behaviour at Wales matches – despite a sceptical response from fans online. Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Phillips has admitted he was embarrassed by some of the problems inside the Principality Stadium over recent years. But he believes the issues of drink […]

By Gareth James Louis Rees-Zammit comes of age on Wednesday and will be looking to celebrate his 21st birthday in style at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. The Wales wonder-wing warmed-up for his side’s opening game in the defence of their Six Nations title by scoring a sensational try for his club, Gloucester, at Newcastle […]

By Steffan Thomas Ryan Elias admits there will be plenty of anger and frustration among his baggage when he gets to Dublin this week. The Wales hooker has played just 180 minutes of rugby since the autumn due to Covid rules and lost fixtures but is likely to be Wales’ first-choice hooker for the Six […]

By Graham Thomas Dan Biggar can be a dream Six Nations captain – and not the referees’ biggest nightmare – according to the former No.1 official in the world, Nigel Owens. Biggar has the toughest job in the tournament this year – stepping into the size 12 captaincy shoes of Alun Wyn Jones, who is […]

Dai Young has told his Cardiff players their shock victory over Leinster must not be a one-off. Jarrod Evans’ late penalty gave his side a memorable first victory over the URC champions for 12 years as Cardiff won 29-27 at the Arms Park at the weekend. It came on the same day the Ospreys beat Edinburgh 23-19 and although both opponents were shorn of their Six Nations stars, the results proved the Welsh regions are capable of achieving notable victories when they are also without their international stars.

Josh Turnbull admits whichever back row trio Leinster throw at Cardiff on Saturday night, his team will be in for a testing evening. The Cardiff skipper has been around long enough to recognise that when it comes to filling their slots at the back of the scrum, the Dublin-based province seem to have a supply chain as prolific as the city’s breweries. Their likely trio to face Wales next week won’t be there as Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are safely tucked up in the Ireland team hotel.

By David Williams Ross Moriarty will make his first appearance for three months after returning from injury to captain the Dragons for their crucial United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton at Rodney Parade on Friday night. The back-row forward has been temporarily released from Wayne Pivac’s squad in order to get some crucial game time […]

By Adam Cleary Ryan Wilkins has had to grow up quickly this season, so a Thursday night match in front of the cameras against Ebbw Vale should hold few fears. The 19-year-old centre went from the Indigo Welsh Premiership to trying to stop Antoine Dupont and Marcus Smith in the Heineken Cup and now he […]

Dan Biggar has told Wales fans to ignore the bookies and enjoy the ride as he gets set to lead the Six Nations champions in defence of their trophy. Despite winning the tournament last year, Wales arrive at this season’s staging as only fourth favourites behind France, England and Ireland. Wayne Pivac’s side go into the annual contest on the back of a thrilling autumn win against Australia, although injuries have hit them hard.

By Rob Carbon Ospreys prop Ma’afu Fia has called on Welsh rugby to help support his homeland of Tonga in the wake of the volcanic eruption in the South Seas. Fia wants governing bodies to help arrange benefit games aimed at raising cash for his island nation which has been covered in ash and where […]

By Steffan Thomas Seb Davies insists his “awesome” Cardiff teammate James Ratti can make a massive impact on the international stage. Ratti was the shock selection in Wayne Pivac’s Wales squad for the Six Nations, with the 24-year-old having only recently converted from a second row to a No 8. But Davies is confident he […]

Paul Turner believes a development Anglo-Welsh league would help solve the annual Welsh identity crisis on the eve of the Six Nations. For the fourth year in succession, Welsh rugby will have no representatives in the last eight of the Heineken Champions and none in the last 16 this season following tournament changes introduced to streamline the number of matches during the pandemic. In fact, in the past decade, only the Scarlets in 2018 and Cardiff Blues in 2012 have made the last eight of the main tournament and this year’s attempts in both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup have been weaker than ever.

By Aled Wheeler Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel is looking to move on from European competition after his side crashed out of the Champions Cup on Saturday. Despite a competitive first half, the Scarlets failed to keep up with Bristol’s aggressive play. A ruthless closing 20 minutes from the visitors secured them an impressive 52-21 […]

Jamie Roberts is set to extend his illustrious career by joining Australian Super Rugby franchise the Waratahs. The former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre is currently under contract at the Dragons. But it is understood the 35-year-old is set to leave Welsh rugby for one last adventure in Sydney, with the Dragons expected to grant him early release. In his prime, the 94-times capped Wales international, who also played a starring role on two British & Irish Lions tours, was among the best centres in the world game. 

Pat Lam insists his Bristol Bears have plenty of good reasons to finally get stuck into the Scarlets this weekend – about 300,000 of them. The English club’s head coach reckons the cancellation of their home fixture against the Welsh region in December cost Bristol around £300,000. Lam acknowledges the 28-0 walkover victory in the Heineken Champions Cup occurred through no fault of the Scarlets – who were hit by Covid and isolation problems after their infamous trip to South Africa – but says their automatic four-tries-to-nil victory came at a cost.

Former Wales hooker Richard Hibbard has announced his retirement from rugby. Hibbard played 38 Wales internationals and three Tests for the Lions on the 2013 successful tour of Australia. The 38-year-old made his Wales debut against Argentina in 2006 and the last of his Tests came nine years later at home to Ireland. “I’m sad to say my body has finally said enough is enough,” said Hibbard. “What a ride it’s been. I’ve been lucky enough to do everything I’ve wanted, and more, in this great game.”

By Steffan Thomas James Ratti is relishing the prospect of linking up with the Wales squad next week after taking the hard route to the top. The Cardiff Rugby No 8’s journey to international rugby has been a bumpy one, with many ups and downs along the way. Just three years ago the 24-year-old was […]