Welsh rugby should keep Scarlets but scrap Cardiff, Ospreys and Dragons Sport Business With a decision expected at the end of the month, I back radical change to Welsh rugby’s regional structure. I wasn’t entirely shocked to read this week that there were over 80,000 tickets remaining for Wales’s autumn internationals, even though they’re taking on three of the southern hemisphere’s Big Four, plus Japan. What did flabbergast [...]
Lack of Welsh Lions shows stark reality of systemic failures Sport Business Ahead of Wednesday’s British and Irish Lions midweek game against the Brumbies in the Australian capital of Canberra I came across a shocking statistic. The match was the first since 1899 not to include a Welshman from the matchday 23. I am not surprised that it has happened on this tour given only two Welshmen [...]
Welsh rugby is in the pits no matter who passes through Gatland’s Gate next Sport Warren Gatland’s legacy is already secured; when Wales players arrive at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium they do so by driving through Gatland’s Gate. He may be remembered for 14 consecutive losses in his second stint as Wales boss – the last of which was a 22-15 humiliation by Italy in which the score completely flattered the [...]
Wales beyond embarrassment, they need to show Six Nations fight February 7, 2025 I couldn’t concur more with former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar when he said their Six Nations clash with Italy this weekend is the team’s biggest game in the last 20 years. On paper this match should be a walk in the park for Wales; the last time they lost to Italy on the continent was [...]
Investec Champions Cup Barometer: Daring Dupont dismisses doubters February 3, 2025 In the lead up to the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup round of 16, City A.M. has put together a barometer in partnership with Investec to assess which teams are hot – and which are not – ahead of April’s knockouts. Player of the week: Antoine Dupont, Toulouse The Six Nations got underway on Friday night [...]
Can England win the Six Nations Grand Slam? No reason why not February 1, 2025 Serious question: Can England win the Six Nations grand slam this year? To believe it you’ve first got to seriously back Steve Borthwick’s side not to be complete and utter nonsense, and then you’ve also got to have faith that England and their players can actually play a brand of rugby to wound lethal opponents. [...]
France will win the Six Nations but round 1 will be key January 31, 2025 It is here, the greatest annual international sports tournament in the world. The Six Nations has it all and I expect this year to be closer than ever. Ireland are on good form but below their recent best, Scotland continue to build but the championship remains elusive, Wales are desperate for a win, England are [...]
Wales seek Six Nations boost from Principality Stadium roof decision January 21, 2025 Wales have attempted to draw a line under rugby’s roof rows of the past ahead of the Six Nations by announcing that the Principality Stadium will remain covered for all of the team’s home matches until at least 2027. Previously, opponents have had to agree to the roof being closed at the 74,000-seater venue but [...]
Six Nations tickets: How much will the tournament cost you? January 12, 2025 We’re just days from the Six Nations getting underway in Paris when France host Wales with tickets for this year’s competition all but sold out. The Stade de France in Paris, Allianz Stadium in London, Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh and Stadio Olimpico in Rome will [...]
Cheer up England rugby fans, you could support Wales November 22, 2024 England may be on a bad run, but Wales are looking as if they’re looking into a deep abyss. Ollie Phillips writes that sacking Gatland, however, is not the answer. You’ve got to go back to 1973 to find an England rugby team who lost four home matches on the bounce. Steve Borthwick’s team have [...]