Dai Sport

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.

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 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.

Wales midfielder Josh Sheehan feels the ‘Swansea Way,’ has signposted a route from the lower reaches of the Football League to the international highway. Sheehan delivered an outstanding performance last month in a match against Montenegro, helping Wales secure a 1-0 home victory and keep their unbeaten run in the Nations League intact.

Under-pressure Wales coach Warren Gatland has made four changes from the side beaten by Fiji to face Australia in Cardiff on Sunday. Wales went down 24-19 to the Fijians last weekend in what was a record-equalling 10th successive Test defeat. A loss to the Wallabies would see Gatland's team set a new record, fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen's side of the 2002-3 season having also lost 10 straight.

Jordan James will be hoping a new manager will provide a fresh start at Rennes after a slow beginning to his career in French football. Wales midfielder James - who is set to feature for Craig Bellamy’s side in Turkey this weekend - has made only three brief substitute appearances for Rennes since moving there from Birmingham City, and not played at all since September 21.

Star centre Semi Radradra will miss Fiji's remaining internationals this month after receiving a two-week ban for a high tackle in last weekend's win over Wales. Radradra, 32, was sent off after 20 minutes of Sunday's 24-19 victory in Cardiff for a dangerous hit on Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett.

Dan James is determined to make up for lost time on the international stage as Wales seek to silence raucous Turkey supporters in their potential Nations League group decider. Leeds winger James has joined a Craig Bellamy Wales squad for the first time after missing the new manager’s opening two camps with a hamstring injury.

Mike Phillips has called for Wales to get rid of Warren Gatland as head coach. Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Phillips has claimed Gatland deserves to walk after going over a year – and 10 internationals – without winning.

Gareth Anscombe insists Wales can break their 10-match losing sequence this weekend – and maybe keep Warren Gatland in hi job. Wales are arguably at the lowest ebb in their 143-year international rugby history following Fiji’s 24-19 victory in Cardiff.