Wales

Flying Fijians fall in thriller

It was a match that lived up to expectations with both sides giving their all for 80 minutes with two disallowed tries.

Fiji’s bench really raised the bar with their efforts when they came on and nearly pulled off a memorable victory.

The French fans got behind Fiji right from the start and never lost their voice.

Fiji was penalized less than a minute into the match when Albert Tuisue failed to release the ball after a tackle was made, Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar made no mistake with his shot at goal.

Faletau returns to Wales starting XV

Head coach Warren Gatland named a squad that contains 10 players making their World Cup debuts.

Wales boasts a side with 1,006 international caps between them, however, the notable omission is co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake who is not up to full match fitness after injuring his knee.

Earlier in the week Gatland said they would employ a similar game plan the Crusaders used against the Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal.

Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui says they’re good to go against Wales.

Wales delay team naming during dispute

Reuters reports Gatland was due to name his team on Wednesday, but held off with angry Welsh players to meet the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which runs the game in the country, on Thursday in a bid to end their impasse and ward off a possible strike.

"I think with the uncertainty that was happening, there's a lot of meetings. I just wanted clarity for the boys with tomorrow then we come back (to train) on Friday," Gatland told reporters.

Finn Russell shines in Scotland's 28-point drubbing of Warren Gatland's Wales

Flyhalf Russell helped to set up four tries, including both Steyn scores, in a 35-7 win at Murrayfield on Saturday (Sunday NZ time) to leave Warren Gatland winless in his second coming as Wales coach.

It was the first time Gatland had lost to Wales in a Six Nations coaching career stretching back to 2007.

It was a record loss to Scotland for Wales, who have now lost 11 of their last 14 matches.

Scotland last won two games in a row in 1996 when the tournament was still the Five Nations before Italy joined the enclave.

Former Wales captain scared

The 41-year-old said he had received the diagnosis in December last year, with doctors telling him he was one of the worst cases they had seen. He was also diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Jones won 75 caps for Wales and captained the side to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008, making his last appearance for them in 2014. He was also part of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 2005.

Italy break Six Nations drought

A brilliant break from rookie fullback Ange Capuozzo set up the score for Padovani, and when flyhalf Paolo Garbisi kicked the conversion from in front of the posts on the final whistle, Italy had secured their magic moment that left some players in tears.

It was fully deserved, too. They bullied Wales at the breakdown and put in a stout defensive display, something that had been a weakness in recent years, to secure one of the more famous wins in their rugby history and show their continued improvement under coach Kieran Crowley.

England's Manu Tuilagi ruled out against Wales because of injury

The 30-year-old was set to make his first appearance of this year's Championship after recovering from a similar injury.

He was named in the starting line-up earlier on Thursday, but was withdrawn having undergone scans after training.

Joe Marchant has been recalled and will train with the team on Friday.

England have said they will confirm the updated team to face Wales on the day of the match.

Before Tuilagi's injury, it was announced that Harry Randall will start at scrum-half, while fit-again Courtney Lawes was named as captain.

Wales wary of Tuilagi but another English Lion's on the radar

 The powerhouse centre has recently recovered from a hamstring injury and is poised for a first Test match appearance since England’s Autumn Nations Series game against world champions South Africa in November.

Wales assistant coach and skills specialist Jenkins worked with Tuilagi on the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, and he is fully aware of his threat.

“We need to be mindful of what Manu brings,” Jenkins said.

“He is a very, very good rugby player and very physical. He brings a lot to England when he does play.

Ireland hammer sorry Wales 29-7 in one-sided opener

The dominant hosts scored only one try in the first half, through Bundee Aki.

Andrew Conway's quickfire double and a magnificent Garry Ringrose effort after the break saw Ireland accelerate away from the injury-ravaged visitors.

Only Taine Basham's late try saved Wales the ignominy of a scoreless defeat.

Wayne Pivac's side remain without a victory in Dublin since 2015 and have rarely looked less likely to win in the Irish capital as they were stifled throughout by an impressive Irish defence.

Wales name Lions fly-half as captain for 2022 Six Nations

As permanent skipper Alun Wyn Jones is injured, Biggar will lead his country for the first time, with lock Adam Beard vice-captain.

Centre Jonathan Davies and flanker Ellis Jenkins, who have captained Wales in the past, are also in the squad.

Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake and flanker Jac Morgan and Cardiff forward James Ratti are the uncapped players.

As well as usual skipper Jones, Wales' lengthy injury list includes fellow Lions Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, George North and Leigh Halfpenny.