Dai Sport

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.

Warren Gatland has admitted he’s already reached a new crunch point just one game into the Six Nations. The Wales coach - who managed to cling on to his job before the tournament - will know his team’s opening day defeat will fuel more doubts over his ability to halt a steep decline.

The back garden of the Emanuel household used to resemble “a war zone” when their sons Ioan and Steff were growing up. Straight and hard running was always the requirement when the two boys, who are only 18 months apart in age, played “one-on-one” rugby matches.

It looks like things are getting to get even worse before they get any better for Warren Gatland's Wales after they were blown away by France in a 43-0 humiliation in Paris. As an opening gambit in a Six Nations championship, it was a pretty dire scoreline - the first time Wales had failed to score in a Five or Six Nations game since France won 51-0 at Wembley back in 1998.

Wales might be entering their opening clash of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations as massive underdogs on Friday night, but for second row Will Rowlands, at least the match at the Stade de France will feel like home turf. Currently playing his club rugby for Racing 92 in the Top 14, Rowlands is relishing the opportunity to start the tournament in the city where he now lives.