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James Botham has told his Wales teammates they must quickly put behind them the disaster of their opening night in Paris as they prepare for a crucial Six Nations encounter against Italy in Rome on Saturday. The Cardiff flanker has stressed the need to move forward after their 43-0 loss to France in Paris, which extended their losing streak to 13 matches dating back to the 2023 World Cup.

Luke Williams insists new signing Lewis O’Brien can help fill the Matt Grimes-sized hole in Swansea City’s midfield. Swans head coach Williams had talked enthusiastically about bringing in a raft of players at the start of the January transfer window.

Omer Riza believes new loan signing Will Alves can fill a missing piece in his team’s armoury. The Bluebirds completed a busy transfer window by securing the loan signing of Leicester City forward Alves until the end of the season.

Life couldn’t get much more eventful for athlete Dewi Griffiths. The Swansea Harrier recently achieved his ambition of equalling Welsh distance legend Steve Jones’ remarkable record of nine Welsh cross country championships.

Richard Whiffin has pledged to pick up his Wales U20 side after their nine try defeat in France. Like their senior counterparts, the U20s began their own Six Nations with a jolting one-sided walloping, but at least they will head into the Italy fixture having got on the scoreboard.

Scarlets back-rower Taine Plumtree has been drafted into Wales’ Six Nations squad as they prepare for their crucial clash against Italy in Rome on Saturday. His call-up follows ongoing injury concerns for Aaron Wainwright and centre Owen Watkin, who both sustained injuries in Wales' 43-0 defeat to France in Paris.

Josh Adams has labeled Wales’ upcoming Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy as a pivotal moment in their campaign, as Warren Gatland’s side look to end a harrowing losing streak. Defeat in Rome would leave Wales staring down the prospect of a second consecutive Six Nations wooden spoon, with formidable fixtures against Ireland, Scotland, and England still to come.

Swansea City are working to finalise loan deals for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien and Manchester City prospect Jacob Wright ahead of Monday night's transfer deadline. O'Brien has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Swans, who appear to have overcome interest from Preston North End, Luton Town, and Derby County.

Jonny Clayton produced an inspired comeback to threaten Luke Humphries but it was not quite enough to claim the World Masters title. Welsh star Clayton rallied from 5-2 down but eventually lost 6-5 victory in a dramatic last-leg decider in Milton Keynes.

Omer Riza is hoping the return of Aaron Ramsey can offer a chink of light for Cardiff City after a dark weekend left the manager needing to apologise to fans. Amid the gloom of a 7-0 thrashing at Leeds United - which required a humbling “sorry about that” to travelling Bluebirds supporters - was the boost of Ramsey playing 45 minutes for Cardiff's Under-21s in a 3-2 victory over Everton in the Premier League Cup.