LATEST NEWS
Downbeat Warren Gatland To Meet With WRU After Admitting: "I Will Do What Is Best For Wales"
Warren Gatland expects to meet with Welsh Union officials to discuss his future over the next few days after suffering another crushing defeat. The Wales coach appears to be nearing the end of his time in charge, allough he also insisted he still has the stomach for the fight despite presiding over a record 11-match losing run - the worst in Welsh rugby history. An emphatic eight-tries-to-two, 52-20 defeat to Australia at the Principality Stadium may prove to be the final straw for Gatland - not a knockout blow in itself, but the latest in a series of repeated punches that have left him questioning whether it might be best if he is removed from the firing line.
Could this be 11 and all out for Warren Gatland as he tackles his toughest test after losing ten consecutive matches? Gatland's first reign saw him win 85 from 151 games with a 56% general win record, 60% record in World Cup matches and 71% in the Six Nations. So, the head coach had credit in the bank when he returned for his second stint after guiding Wales to four Six Nations titles and two World Cup semi finals.
Karl Marks Wales Highly As They Stay Strong In Turkish Test Of Nerve
Karl Darlow dodged lighters thrown towards him and “white noise” at the ear-splitting Kadir Has Stadium to help Wales secure a battling Nations League draw in Turkey. Wales spent large periods of the clash under the cosh, but Darlow’s steady handling and shot-saving ability ensured the tie finished 0-0. Turkey did have the chance to seal matters – and promotion to League A into the bargain – from the penalty spot in the 89th-minute, but Kerem Akturkoglu’s effort struck the outside of the post and went wide.
Wales Players Circle The Wagons To Avoid Gatland's Last Stand
Will Rowlands insists the Wales players are determined not to allow themselves to become the worst losing team in the country’s history. That fate awaits wilting Wales on Sunday if they suffer defeat at home to Australia. It would be their 11th in succession, beating the low water mark of 10 inflicted on former coach Steve Hansen’s no-hopers in 2002-03.
Joe Allen May Follow Craig Bellamy Into Coaching . . . But For Now It’s Time For Turkey
Joe Allen and Craig Bellamy go back a long way - way before the former was calling the current Wales manager, “Boss”. But going from providing the shots to calling them, is something Allen himself may well do when he hangs up his boots.
More Law Tinkering For Rugby . . . Midway Through This Season
Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and "enhancing the fan experience" will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions that start from Jan. 1 2025, World Rugby said on Thursday after its Council approved the changes. The adaptations will apply to competitions such as next year's Six Nations, British and Irish Lions and other summer tours, but not to those such as the English Premiership and French Top 14 that would have already started in 2024.
Ben And Joe Ready To Be Centres Of Attention As Wales Bid To End Losing Run Against Australia
Ben Thomas insists Wales “have a plan” to deal with Joseph Suaalii - but it had better be a good one. Thomas, 25, has been a centre of attention for Wales this autumn, a player of rich natural talent and creativity who, after a handful of games in a red shirt, looks likely to be a big part of the national team’s future.
Up Schmidt Creek Without a Paddle . . . Warren Gatland May Finally Tip Over
Warren Gatland has joked he might soon be laying on a beach and if that’s the case he will have got there by going up Schmidt Creek without a paddle. Joe Schmidt - an old sparring partner of Gatland’s - lies in wait on Sunday, when he brings his resurgent Australia team to the Principality Stadium to play a Wales side all at sea.
The Cardiff Cross Challenge Is Getting Wales Up On Its Feet
In London, it used to be said that you were never more than six feet away from a rat. In some parts of Cardiff last Saturday, there’s a fair chance you were never more than six feet away from a runner.
Warren Gatland Insists Critics Don’t Bother Him . . . And He’s Not Thought Of Quitting
Warren Gatland says he “takes with a grain of salt” recent criticisms from former players following Wales' record-tying 10th consecutive Test match loss. Gatland also disclosed that stepping down from his role hasn’t crossed his mind, despite the rocky start to his second tenure as Wales' head coach, which began ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
contracts
Connor Wickham On The Exit List At Cardiff City
When their contracts expire on 30 June, Cardiff City will bid farewell to striker Connor Wickham and Northern Ireland winger Gavin Whyte, among other players. Wickham, a former £8m signing for Sunderland back in 2011, joined Cardiff on a temporary deal in February. The 30-year-old managed to find the net... Read More
Willis Halaholo Among Cardiff Stars To Be Hit With Massive Pay Cut Plan As Reality Bites
Wales international Willis Halaholo is one of a dozen Cardiff players facing massive wage cuts of almost 80 per cent if they decide to stay around next season. Some players have reportedly been offered just £30,000 to re-sign, highlighting the financial pressure facing rugby players in Wales, despite the recent... Read More
Tick, Tick . . . Countdown To Wales Players' Strike Continues As WRU Fail To Convince Ahead of England Game
Wales is due to host fierce Guinness Six Nations rivals England next week – but the build-up has been engulfed by a possibility of player strike action. Contract chaos is currently centre stage in Welsh rugby, with many players – general estimates are between 70 and 100 – whose current... Read More
Wales Players Are 9/2 To Go On Strike . . . 1/6 To Keep Their Boots On
Welsh rugby players have been priced at 9/2 to go on strike before their Six Nations clash at home to England. Leading Welsh bookmaker DragonBet make the chances of players downing boots in protest over contract delays and planned wage cuts an outside bet. They make the February 25 showdown... Read More
Wales Players Consider Strike After Delays And Wage Cuts As Dai Young Warns: Wearing The Shirt Is No Longer Enough
The upcoming Six Nations game between Wales and England could be in doubt as Welsh rugby players threaten to go on strike over contractual concerns. Talks between the Welsh Rugby Union and the country's four regions over a new budgetary deal have been ongoing, but nothing has been agreed upon... Read More
Ioan Cunningham To Stay With Wales Women - With New Short-Term Player Deals Agreed
Wales women head coach Ioan Cunningham is staying on with more players given professional contracts. Cunningham – who had been linked with a number of other job – has extended his deal until 2025, but the new full-time players only have short-term contracts which run to the end of the... Read More
Load More