Looking back at the first games of the six nations last year we lost by 3 points in total across those first two games. Both games were there to be won and I can’t help thinking that so much of our troubles at the moment are due to a total lack of confidence.

I don’t dismiss all the longer term issues with Welsh rugby that bubbled for years and the WRU were asleep at the wheel but in terms of the magnitude of the losses in this loosing run would not have been so bad if we had managed to get on the right side of those two games in particular.

Loosing has definitely become a habit now, I honestly feel we have some really talented young players that will be known in the years to come as some of the best but we just need some confidence in the short term.

Hoping for an awful lot of luck in Rome next weekend! And maybe that can install some confidence for this young team.

There is a lot of , justified, depression about International Welsh Rugby.

On an up note, I do believe that Mike is doing a solid and in fact good job, given the players. Defensively we are not that bad.

The issue is we spend all match defending, because our attack is shapeless and time in possession is so low.

Peace ✌️

really why?

First time in 18 years Wales fail to score a single point in 5/6N. Where do we go from here?

What’s the thinking on Gatland’s future after that first 40?

Nothing in that performance suggests they’ve changed anything in training or tactics from the autumn or last year (would love to see Squidge’s analysis!).

Really disheartening as the 15 on the field didn’t seem too bad on paper.

Welsh Rugby Motivation - YouTube

Intrigued to see if he’s made bold calls by playing players on form!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c1lv8vzn7ypo

Hi all,

Real long shot.. Been trying to dig to see if I can find any clips of my dad playing in the 80s for Cross Keys RFC but struggling to find any archival footage. Tried BBC Programme Index but it appears like they don't have any viewable media. I assume the next step will be to look if any family members recorded them but thought I'd ask here in case.

Can anyone tell me if this is an original shirt and if so when it is from? Can’t seem to find it anywhere online! Cheers

Why didn’t Rio Dyer get picked. He collects the ball with the best, he scores y cais. This is just my biggest gripe. Thanks for letting me vent. PS Ospreys fan here but love me some Rio Dyer energy.

Love this, Lou Reed is huge!

The English Premiership will be playing games in Cardiff this season and over the next few seasons. But why can't Cardiff just join the English Premiership? They could be replaced in the URC by another team (not a Welsh team). Cardiff could have the same player salary cap as the English teams. Travel costs would be much lower. Crowds would be bigger. At least a couple of games could be played in the millennium stadium. I think it would be a big boost to professional rugby in Wales.

From a Welsh perspective, Cardiff look pretty impressive; definite contenders for a top 8 berth and a place in the Champions Cup. Scarlets will rue the one that got away. They had a real chance of getting a big away win in Glasgow. We've done a little review below
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AmuqNSZJpaXhyEAGEIb7S?si=8a72554bada0485d

Yes, it was Wales's worst ever calendar year, but there are some positives. There is talent in Wales and this team has had to start from scratch in many regards. To be honest, not conceding 50 against that SA team (and given the dominance they had statistically) was no easy feat. Yes, it's very cold comfort, but the dogged nature in which the boys in red fought to the end was a true test of character. Once again, props to Jac Morgan who's made over 50 tackles collectively across two weekends. A little review of the action here
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rVugFfNwbtZhMl5OaIo3X?si=d3f0e1fd5d214d0b

What's everybody's thoughts on an Anglo-Welsh league? Essentially the 4 regions joining the Gallagher Prem. Bigger attendances I think more people would want to watch the top English clubs on Welsh soil (Cardiff Vs Quins was a casing point) English fans seem to travel well. Less travel furthest regions would travel is Newcastle/Sale. Financially better off than flying to South Africa for 2 weeks, flying to Italy, Ireland and Scotland. Easier for fans to travel and cheaper for fans could do away trips in a day. I personally think it would be more competitive with relegation a possibility? Potentially more money with sponsorships. I suppose cons would be relegation to champ, loss of experience playing SA teams and Irish teams. But in my opinion I think it would be better than the URC. I'd love the away trips to Bath, Bristol London etc.

What's people's thoughts?

Having dreaded tonight’s match against the springboks I have to say, I don’t think it was as bad as it could have been. The team are young, inexperienced and not even in the same stratosphere as the boks, but there is some hope.

Yes the rfu is a mess, yes our best players have retired, yes the youth development system in wales hasn’t maintained an excellent consistent pipeline of world beaters. But, all those points aside, the young lads on that field today put their guts into it.

We have got a long way to go, but if that squad of lads stick at it and build up their confidence and strength, we will be a force again. Not against the South African cyborgs or the much improved Australia for a while, but we shouldn’t be embarrassed by the Scot’s, Italians and English next spring.

Well done wales for putting up a fight.

It seems obvious that our system from grass roots is badly out of kilter with what’s required to build a world class national rugby team.

What’s preventing us from adopting a fully inclusive system as the Irish have done, in turn only emulating NZ, that ensures all coaches meet the same standards, teach the same way, bring forward kids coached to the same high standards?

Unite around one system with shared goal of producing world class national team or rugby in this country will be confined to the history books.

Obviously next week we’re in for a prison-shaming from the Boks, but after that, where is Welsh rugby going?

The Regions are struggling. The game at grass roots and in schools has been neglected by the WRU for a long time. The relatively prosperous time from 2008-2019 was a time to invest in the game but that didn’t happen.

In my opinion the WRU needs to deal with the roots first. And invest in the Regions properly. I can’t see the National team being a success for a while, regardless of the coaching team. Gatland has to go. He wasn’t the long term answer to the disaster of Pivac’s reign. You can’t lose 11 (soon to be 12) on the bounce and not have to worry about your job.

I’d could tolerate a shite national team if there was any evidence of progress and health in the domestic game. Unfortunately the WRU will likely keep Gatland, not reform itself and not invest lower down the pyramid and we’re going to have to put up with this dross for another decade.

I know there has been a lot of chat about Gats but what about the supporting staff? because the one six nations warbuton was in the coaching box was the jam slam, so my idea as a potential back room staff for Gats from ex welsh Players:

Kicking- Leigh halfpenny Defence- Alyn Wyn Jones Breakdown-Warburton Set piece- Adam Jones Attack- Shane Williams & Dan Biggar

Have I missed anything ?

We've just had a really generous donation to our charity shop - Ethical Boutique - in St. Davids shopping centre, Cardiff. I think some of the kit belonged to Archie Griffin because of the initials on the shorts. Also a lot have GHW (Someone suggested Gabriel Hamer-Webb which seems likely).

We have Cardiff Rugby, WRU, Bath and Northampton Saints kit. Does anyone know if having the player initials makes it worth more and roughly how much they'd be worth? I've got shorts, various tops and jackets all sorts and even holdalls with initials but no idea how to price them yet. A few photos in the link - https://imgur.com/a/rC5P3pe

What do people think about Wales having an A team again? Like England have there A team and Ireland have their Wolfhounds? We seem to be lacking experienced internationals at the minute. And getting players playing in A team games against tier 2 or tier 1 A teams would surely be a benefit??

What's people's thoughts?