Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
The Springboks series win against Wales has given both teams’ fans a lot to talk about. Wales arrived to compete and not to give the Springboks an easy run-out. Ryan Jordan summarises the key takeouts of the Springboks series win. It was not the 3-nil walkover anticipated by many pundits. The Springboks won the first […] READ MORE
For the first time, fans witnessed an Irish team win on New Zealand soil, among a stack of results that showed the ‘home unions’ rebounding from past losses. Ireland, England, Scotland, and then Wales all rebounded to defeat their Southern Hemisphere hosts, which also supported a new Number One ranked team ascending to the top […] READ MORE
Wales men’s rugby team arrived in beautiful but turbulent South Africa this week. The South African nation isn’t alone in experiencing tumult. Truth be told it is a current global phenomenon. Will the men’s XVs rugby provide an entertaining diversion from our perplexing and worrying news cycle? Something that the Lions tour of last year […] READ MORE
Have you ever woken up after a big party wishing you hadn’t drunk so much? You wander bleary-eyed down the stairs. There’s a stale smell of smoke emanating from the cigarette butts in a discarded tumbler on the coffee table. To compound that, the aroma of smoke is intermingling with that of sweat. You have […] READ MORE
Just to establish from the outset, this is not an attack on Alun Wyn-Jones (click on the link for Robert Rees’ look at AWJ back in 2020) or his achievements. The Neath and Swansea Osprey has been a tremendous and loyal servant to Wales and Welsh rugby for well over a decade. Whilst he has […] READ MORE
Friday night under the Principality lights. As deafening Six Nations atmospheres go there is no better setting in world rugby. On Friday night France will arrive full of confidence to the Principality Stadium two wins away from a Grand Slam. This stadium, however, creates special memories. Here is a look back at some of the most […] READ MORE
Wales will face England at Twickenham on Saturday, February 26. And one of the participants is Wales rugby outside-half Dan Biggar who may well play a big hand in the outcome. This is a match that will go a long way in determining how both country’s Six Nations’ campaigns are perceived. With Dan Biggar the […] READ MORE
England to perform in front of a packed Twickenham It’s been two long years since England have performed in front of a packed house at Twickenham. As matches go, they don’t come much grander than England against Wales. It will be a big occasion, and we can expect a big performance from England. After two […] READ MORE
Now is probably not the best time for intense introspection after a chastening and bruising defeat to Ireland. Especially for those in and around the close inner circle of players and coaches in Welsh International Rugby. Perhaps best if they keep Kipling’s words in mind, “If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat […] READ MORE
As he takes the Welsh national side to his third campaign, what were Wales Six Nations tactics in 2021 and is there a chance of a change by Wayne Pivac 12 months later? Ever since Warren Gatland left the Wales job on the first of November 2019, there has always been a mixed response regarding […] READ MORE
Rugby journalist, mainly focusing on Welsh rugby, United Rugby Championship and sometimes a venture in to the French leagues. Published my own blog called ‘the openside blog’ and contributing to the Welsh Premiership Podcast.
You can find me tweeting about any form of rugby on Twitter @ iestyn_thomas21