Wales Rugby News
WRU CEO Abi Tierney reached ‘a mutual decision’ that meant Warren Gatland would leave his post as Wales head coach. That was the explanation when Tierney was questioned about the move that saw Wale’s most successful coach of all time (three Grand Slams, two World Cup Bronze Finals, a 14-match winning streak and guiding Wales […]
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Warren Gatland’s second tenure as Wales head coach has ended by mutual agreement. Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt has been appointed as head coach to lead the Wales senior side for the final three matches of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations Championship. Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney has expressed her gratitude to Gatland […]
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Cardiff’s Matt Sherratt has been handed the Wales coaching reins on an interim basis after Warren Gatland’s second spell as head coach ended abruptly on Tuesday. Welsh supporters have been warned, however, there is “no magic bullet” that will instantly revive the national team after their dismal 22-15 defeat by Italy on Saturday.
Gatland has departed “by mutual agreement” after 14 successive Test defeats, the worst run in the country’s 144-year international rugby history. Gatland, 61, had been contracted until the 2027 World Cup but Abi Tierney, the Welsh Rugby Union chief executive, acknowledged “there was a mounting sense that it wasn’t working” and said the decision was “in the best interests of the Wales squad”.
Continue reading...Filo Tiatia has been named as the permanent head coach at Dragons RFC on a multi-year contract after serving as interim boss since November The former Ospreys back row man arrived at Rodney Parade at the start of the season to take over as defence coach at the region but was then thrust into the […]
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If Welsh rugby sinks any lower, big questions about the tournament’s long-term health may have to be asked
The difference is a mere 0.1 of a ranking point. And rankings, in isolation, do not necessarily foretell the future. Even so the news that Wales have slipped to 12th in World Rugby’s official pecking order, one place below Georgia, was a hugely symbolic moment. After 14 Test defeats in succession, another unwanted record, it was a new low in a season increasingly full of them.
Faith seems to be ebbing away, too. “It can’t carry on like this,” their erstwhile fly-half Dan Biggar said on ITV Sport over the weekend. “That looks like a team shot of belief and confidence.” Sam Warburton, who was leading Wales to Six Nations titles and grand slams not so long ago, was similarly downbeat as he sifted through the ashes of the defeat against Italy in Rome on Saturday. Neither were putting the boot in for the sake of it, they were just saying it as it is.
Continue reading...Warren Gatland has pledged to continue working hard to try to get his players to put into practice what they’ve been working on in training following Wales’ Guinness Six Nations defeat in Rome. Next up for Wales is their first home assignment of the campaign against Ireland at a sold-out Principality Stadium in two weeks’ time. Then there is a […]
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Tyler Olding’s try three minutes from time settled a cracking Super Rygbi Cymru clash at the Talbot Athletic Ground where Newport edged Aberavon 36-32. Centre Oli Andrew scored twice for Newport in the first half, while Dragons’ wing Ashton Hewitt – on the comeback trail after injury – marked his first Newport appearance since September […]
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Gwalia Lightning went down to league leaders and reigning champions, Wolfhounds 21-15, in Round 7 of the Celtic Challenge at Virgin Media Park, Cork this afternoon. Wales full back Jenny Hesketh and Maisie Davies crossed for the Welsh side’s tries in an intense, physical and abrasive contest in a freezing Cork. Both teams were ferocious […]
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Richard Whiffin admits that if he had any hair to pull out he would have been taking handfuls as he watched the final few moments of his Wales U20 side’s dramatic 20-18 win over Italy in Treviso. Having seen Harri Ford kick Wales into a two point lead with a penalty in the 69th minute […]
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Dafydd Jenkins and Liam Williams have been withdrawn from the starting Wales XV for this afternoon’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome. Jenkins has been ruled due to illness while Williams misses the game due to a knee injury. Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas now starts in the second row, while Scarlerts’ Blair Murray comes […]
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Brython Thunder recorded a first win of the season with a dramatic 38-32 victory against Edinburgh in Round 7 of the Celtic Challenge at Parc y Scarlets this afternoon. Wales centre Hannah Bluck’s two tries in the dying moments secured a famous win in a pulsating contest at the home of the Scarlets. Bluck came […]
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Warren Gatland said he “understands people’s frustration” after his Wales team slumped to a 14th consecutive defeat and a worst‑ever world ranking of 12th, one place below Georgia, losing 22-15 to Italy in Rome.
Speaking to the Welsh language broadcaster S4C, Gatland empathised with his team’s supporters. “I can understand people’s frustration and we are frustrated and disappointed as well because we created opportunities but we have made mistakes and the penalty count was disappointing,” he said. “As a coaching team and players they are not hard fixes but we need to make sure we focus in those key moments.”
Continue reading...Another week, another Welsh defeat, another 80 minutes in which those in red gave their best as individuals but proved that it is nowhere near good enough for this level. A 14th straight defeat has dropped them to 12th on World Rugby’s rankings, one place below Georgia and the lowest position in their history. In Roman rain, Warren Gatland’s Divine Comedy descended another circle.
Perhaps the most damning point of all is that this never felt like a contest. The losing bonus point, procured at the death with a penalty try after two Italians received yellow cards, felt undeserving and failed to gloss over the preceding dross. Even with so much riding on this result, and even with the weather stifling Italy’s attacking threat, Wales simply failed to manufacture a challenge. Forget about a Plan B, Gatland’s team now appear bereft of any plan at all beyond aimless kicks, toothless carries and unjustified hope.
Continue reading...Wales slumped to their 14th consecutive defeat after a hugely disappointing display in Rome
8 mins. Will Rowlands loses a lineout under pressure from Cannone, but Page-Relo ruins the work of his team-mate by booming his clearing kick out of the full from outside the 22.
6 mins. Wales are off their feet at the ruck as Italy venture into their territory. Allan calls for the tee and opens his account for the day.
Continue reading...Gwalia Lightning hit the road to face league leaders, Wolfhounds, in Round 7 of the Celtic Challenge at Virgin Media Park, Cork, on Sunday, February 9th (KO:12.30pm). The Welsh side travel to Ireland on the back of a three-match winning streak to face the reigning champions in their own backyard. Welsh international Bryonie King captains […]
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