The new rugby campaign is still some weeks away here in Wales, but like Amazon and Netflix, the global season never sleeps. So, just as you may have been digesting the Sevens tournament at the Olympics in Paris, off the back of Wales’ summer tour to Australia, the kitchen doors are swung off their hinges and in come the waiters, ready to serve up the Rugby Championship.

Wales kick off their Australia tour on Saturday when they tackle the Wallabies in Sydney. Warren Gatland’s team face two Tests followed by an appointment with Queensland Reds as they look to rediscover a winning formula that has deserted them since the 2023 World Cup.

Regan Grace has been described as an “X-factor” player following his shock call-up to Wales’ summer training squad. Former rugby league star Grace, who has only played two senior games of union, could now travel to Australia for a tour highlighted by Tests against the Wallabies on July 6 and 13.

Warren Gatland has promised to nurse his latest group of youngsters through their four-match summer series and to give some of his more experienced players a “kick up the arse”. Wales head to Twickenham on 22 June to face the world champion Springboks before travelling to Australia for a two-Test series against the Wallabies and a final fixture with Queensland Reds.

Rey Lee-Lo has been hailed as one of Welsh rugby’s greatest ever overseas imports as he heads into Judgement Day continuing to defy Old Father Time. The Samoan international is coming to the end of his ninth season with Cardiff, having joined from the Hurricanes of New Zealand in 2015.

The player Cardiff Rugby coach Matt Sherratt described as a Rolls Royce will go through the gears for the first time in six months on Friday night. Taulupe Faletau – who broke his arm playing for Wales at the World Cup – will make his comeback in the capital city region’s United Rugby Championship match against Ulster in Belfast.

Taulupe Faletau is poised to return from injury for Cardiff this weekend – providing a huge boost to Wales’ hopes of picking themselves up off the floor this summer. The peerless Lions No.8 has not played since breaking his arm at the World Cup six months ago.

Aaron Wainwright insists nothing but victory will be acceptable for Wales in Saturday’s wooden spoon decider against Italy. Wales must win in Cardiff to have any chance of not finishing bottom of the Guinness Six Nations table for a first time since 2003.

Joe Roberts believes Wales will avoid the embarrassment of a Six Nations whitewash this weekend by winning at the final attempt. The centre, who was controversially picked ahead of George North to face France last weekend, is confident Warren Gatland’s misfiring team can beat Italy in Cardiff in the final round of the tournament.

Adam Beard says Wales can upset the odds and pull of a huge shock by beating Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland in Dublin next week. Wales have not won a Six Nations game at the Aviva Stadium since 2012, drawing one and losing four of the subsequent meetings.

George North is a rare specimen in the Wales team that will run out at Twickenham in that he knows what it is like to win there. The Ospreys star has seen highs and lows against England in over a dozen years but says his drive and desire is undiminished as he prepares to take up membership of an exclusive club.

Aaron Wainwright comes into the first Test week of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations with big boots to fill but with a very settled outlook on life. The 26-year-old looks destined to take over the No 8 shirt from the injured Taulupe Faletau and be the senior figure in the Welsh back row in what will be his sixth Championship.