The Big Wales vs England Preview
Rhodri Evans
Right then… Wales vs England. Wales on a historic losing run, England with an outside chance of the title.
Not that Wales needed any more motivation, but the chance to end Matt Sherratt’s invigorating interim spell in charge with a victory and ruin England’s tournament would be a sweet thing indeed.
Without further adothen, let’s dig into the big Sportin Wales preview!
Team News
Sherratt has made two changes to the Wales XV that lost 35-29 in Edinburgh last weekend, with one tactical change and one enforced one.
Tom Rogers, who had had an impressive tournament, unfortunately picked up and injury in the first half against Scotland and is ruled out for this one. Add to the fact that Josh Adams’ hamstring injury is worse than first thought, Wales are short on wingers.
This means Ellis Mee switches from the left to right wing and centre Joe Roberts wears the 11 shirt. A left footed kicking option, Roberts was good as emergency cover at Murrayfield and keeps his place ahead of Gloucester speedster Josh Hathaway.
The tactical change is that Aaron Wainwright wears the number six shirt, with Jac Morgan switching to openside and Tommy Reffell dropping to the bench. Wales lacked carrying options against Scotland and lost ground in contact. Wainwright will help remedy this.
With Rogers out of the squad, Nick Tompkins comes back in and will wear the 23 shirt.
‘Sometimes players need to be backed’
Speaking after the Wales squad was announced on Thursday, Matt Sherratt was keen to stress that keeping the same group together for his three games would be the best route to an elusive first win in 18 months.
“I’ve been really impressed with Joe’s (Roberts) attitude in camp,” Sherratt said.
“He doesn’t overthink it and he backs his ability. Aaron (Wainwright) speaks for himself. He’s been unlucky not to be selected.”
Sherratt also spoke of how much he’d loved his time as interim coach for the last month or so.
“It’s been brilliant for me and my family,” he added.
“That’s been a massive influence for me, having my sons at the game. Seeing them enjoy it is massive. It’s been a pleasure to do.
“Getting to know the new players. Some of the boys I’ve coached before. But it’s been great coaching a new bunch of lads. The staff and the players here, I know we haven’t had the results, but there’s a huge amount of effort and positivity.
“It’s been brilliant.”
The Opposition
In the wake of their own injury and form issues, Steve Borthwick has rung the changes for England this week.
His boldest decision is to select three natural opensides in his starting XV, with twin brothers Ben and Tom Curry joined by Ben Earl in the back row. Add in potential debutant Henry Pollock on the bench and England have four options for the 7 shirt in their 23.
Elsewhere, England’s lack of second rows means Harlequins forward Chandler Cunningham-South is the cover, while the 6-2 bench split means Jack van Portvliet and George Ford are the back cover.
In the backs, Tommy Freeman moves inside to centre, with an all-Northampton 9-10-12-13. Sale’s Tom Roebuck replaces Freeman on the wing, with Daly moving from 15 to 11 and Marcus Smith back in the starting XV.
England have an outside chance of winning the Six Nations title in Cardiff on Saturday, but need to win with a bonus point and hope Scotland do them a favour in Paris against title favourites France.
Stats… The Good and the Bad
Perhaps the most interesting stat ahead of this match is England’s terrible record on the last day Six Nations campaigns.
Since beating France in Paris to win the Grand Slam in 2016, the visitors on Saturday have won just once in eight last round matches.
In 2017 and 2018, they lost to Ireland and a year later, as Wales were celebrating a Grand Slam, they were drawing a mad match with Scotland 38-38.
2020 – the last time England won the competition – they beat Italy in front of no fans in Rome.
In 2021, they lost again to Ireland, and the year later they were out matched by a Grand Slam winning France side. More recently, they again have lost to Ireland in Dublin (2023) and France in Paris (2024).
England fans, of course, will retort with the fact that Wales are on a 16-game losing run and one more defeat would equal Italy’s record for the longest losing streak by a Tier 1 nation.
Wales did beat England the last time these two sides met at the Principality Stadium, though, downing England 20-9 in a very memorable World Cup warm-up match.
Teams
Wales
Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Joe Roberts; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, WillGriff John; Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins; Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan (capt), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.
England
Marcus Smith; Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Elliot Daly; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart; Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Jamie George, Fin Baxter, Joe Hayes, Chandler Cunningham-South, Henry Pollock, Tom Willis, Jack van Poortvliet, George Ford.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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NeoGen: The Celebrity Skin Treatment Making Headlines And Why More Men Need To Take Notice
Rhodri Evans
By Dr Raj Aggarwal, Aesthetics Doctor at Cardiff Cosmetic Clinic
NeoGen Plasma Skin Regeneration has been making waves in the aesthetic world, with high-profile celebrities like Shirley Ballas and Linda Lusardi raving about their incredible results.
Media outlets across the UK have reported on its amazing effects, with Ballas saying that NeoGen “shaved 30 years off” her appearance and Lusardi saying it “took 10 years off” hers.
This buzz has led to a 65% increase in consultations at Cardiff Cosmetic Clinic, proof that people are eager to experience its benefits.
Ageing, Sun Damage, and Stress? NeoGen Is the Answer for Men Too
But NeoGen isn’t just for women. Men can achieve the same skin-transforming results.
At Cardiff Cosmetic Clinic, we understand the challenges men face when it comes to maintaining rejuvenated, healthy skin.
Whether it’s the effects of ageing, sun damage, or the demands of daily life, these issues can have a real impact on your confidence.
A Breakthrough Treatment Developed at Cardiff University
That’s why I’m excited to talk about NeoGen. This cutting-edge skin-rejuvenation treatment was developed right here at Cardiff University and harnessed by leading Welsh tech manufacturer Energist.
We’re incredibly proud to be the first clinic in Wales to provide this innovative local technology.
It’s the perfect solution for men who want to address their skin concerns without the need for invasive surgery.
With NeoGen, you get fast recovery times and impressive, natural-looking results that enhance your skin’s appearance without disruption to your daily routine.
Why NeoGen is the Future of Skin Care for Men
NeoGen Plasma is not just another cosmetic treatment – it’s a breakthrough in skincare that addresses the signs of ageing and various skin conditions with a technology that’s significantly safer and more effective than more invasive methods.
One of the key benefits of NeoGen is that it doesn’t involve the destruction of the skin’s surface like CO2 lasers do.
Instead, it uses advanced nitrogen plasma to stimulate the production of the skin’s natural anti-ageing proteins, collagen and elastin. This leads to tighter, smoother, and visibly rejuvenated skin. The process is gentle yet highly effective.
Safe and Effective Skin Tightening
At Cardiff Cosmetic Clinic, we tailor our NeoGen treatments to your unique skin needs, from tightening sagging areas to addressing acne scars and wrinkles.
NeoGen is especially effective at rejuvenating the neck and jawline—areas where the signs of ageing often first appear.
More Than Just a Facial Treatment
NeoGen isn’t just about improving the look of your skin, it’s about restoring your confidence. A more rejuvenated appearance can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself, and NeoGen is one of the most effective treatments available for achieving that refreshed, natural look.
Whether you’re aiming to reduce fine lines, tighten sagging skin, or simply give your face a healthier glow, NeoGen provides a solution that addresses these concerns without the need for invasive surgery or downtime. Plus, with its excellent safety profile, you can enjoy all the benefits with peace of mind.
Experience the Power of NeoGen
Are you ready to restore your skin’s radiance and regain the confidence that comes with it? If so, book a free, no-obligation consultation with me today, where we’ll explore how NeoGen can work for you.
As the first clinic in Wales to offer this innovative treatment, we’re here to provide you with the expertise and care you need to achieve outstanding, natural-looking results.
Let’s work together to give you a refreshed appearance, without the need for surgery or long recovery times.
Cardiff Cosmetic Clinic, 187 City Rd, Cardiff, CF24 3WD
+44 (0) 800 689 1111 www.cardiffcosmeticclinic.com
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Don’t Get Caught In Tax Traps
Rhodri Evans
By Stuart d’Ivry, Managing Director of Pure Wealth Management
This article provides a comprehensive overview of income tax, including its principles, rates, allowances, and key considerations for taxpayers.
What is Tax?
Income tax is a crucial aspect of the United Kingdom’s fiscal system, serving as a primary source of revenue for the government.
It impacts individuals, families, and businesses alike, influencing financial decisions and shaping economic behaviour. Understanding the fundamentals of income tax in the UK is essential for taxpayers to navigate their obligations effectively.
Principles of Income Tax
Income tax in the UK operates on the principle of progressive taxation, where individuals with higher incomes pay a proportionally higher percentage of tax.
This means that tax rates increase with income levels, reflecting the ability-to-pay principle. The UK tax system is structured into different tax bands, each with its own rate of taxation.
Taxable income includes various sources of earnings, such as salaries, wages, pensions, rental income, interest from savings, dividends, and profits from self-employment or business activities.
Certain types of income may be exempt from taxation, depending on specific allowances and reliefs provided by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Tax Bands and Rates
As of the current tax year, the UK income tax system comprises several tax bands, each subject to different rates of taxation.
The basic rate, higher rate, and additional rate are the main tax bands applicable to most taxpayers. For example, for the tax year 2023/24, the basic rate is 20% on income from £12,571 to £50,270, the higher rate is 40% on income between £50,271 and £125,139, and the additional rate is 45% on income above £125,140.
What about the Tax Traps?
The above bands and rates seem straight forward but there are several complexities hidden within the system.
For example, individuals whose earning total above £100,000 will lose their personal allowance (The amount you can earn without paying tax) at a rate of £1 for every £2 earnt over the mount.
This means that clients who earn over £125,140 have lost their full personal allowance and have paid a whopping 60% tax on this earning.
If you earn above £50,000 you begin to lose your child benefit and should you earn over £100,000 you lose access to the 30 free hours child care (In Wales).
What can we do to help the situation?
Taxpayers in the UK are entitled to various allowances and reliefs that can reduce their taxable income or offset their tax liabilities.
Tax reliefs are available for contributions to pensions, charitable donations, and certain investments.
Theoretically these payments could reduce your overall income and change your tax banding or of equal importance recoup some of the external allowances. If you are not doing this please give Pure Wealth a call.
Conclusion
Income tax plays a vital role in the UK’s fiscal framework, supporting public services and government expenditure. Understanding the principles, rates, allowances, and reporting requirements of income tax is essential for taxpayers to fulfil their obligations effectively.
By staying informed and seeking professional advice, when necessary, individuals and businesses can manage their tax affairs efficiently.
So, who are Pure Wealth Management?
Pure Wealth are an independent financial advice practice offering holistic whole of market advice to individuals and businesses across South Wales. We are not tied to any company or provider and will work in partnership with our clients to offer bespoke financial planning typically on an ongoing basis.
Pure Wealth is part of the wider Pure Group which consists of specialists in other areas such as residential property, property investing, commercial property and development. This ensures that clients of the Pure Group have the peace of mind that they are receiving independent advice across all areas of their finances.
Should any of the readers require any advice or have any question in relation to pensions or any other areas of their financial planning please get in touch mention Sportin Magazine and we will ensure the first consultation is free of charge.
Info@purewealthmanagement.co.uk
02922 671957
Investments can go down as well as up. You may not get back the original capital invested.
Pensions legislation can and may change in the future. This article is for information only and should not be seen as advice or a recommendation to take action.
Tax laws and regulations may change over time, so it’s important for taxpayers to consult updated sources or professional advisors for the most current information.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Lauren Price Dominates To Win World Title Unification Fight
Rhodri Evans
Lauren Price beat Natasha Jonas by unanimous decision at the Royal Albert Hall, adding the WBC and IBF welterweight titles to her collection.
The fight was an exhibition in speed and agility from Price, as the 30-year-old out boxed Jonas by a significant margin.
This dominance was shown in the judges scorecards, with all three scoring Price’s victory, with scores of 98-93, 100-90 and 98-92 to the Welshwoman.
Jonas, 40, had been on a seven-fight, three-year winning streak since losing to Katie Taylor in May 2021, but did not impose herself on the fight until the sixth or seventh round.
On a all female card at the Royal Albert Hall, Price confirmed her status as the premier contender in the women’s welterweight division.
The Newport-born fighter now holds the WBA, IBO, The Ring, WBC, and IBF welterweight titles.
Masterclass
Price took charge of the early rounds of the fight, continually pushing Jonas backwards with a flurry of jabs and footwork.
Often at the end of these exchanges, Price would fire a quick right hand at Jonas, who was simply too slow to counter. Jonas used all her skill and experience to rally and have the better of some of the latter rounds, but Price’s early dominance had given her a comfortable lead by then.
The large Welsh travelling contingent could been heard throughout the fight, as Price won her ninth fight in nine encounters.
One Belt to go
With this victory, Price now holds all but one of the welterweight title belts, with American boxer Mikaela Mayer currently in possession of the WBO title.
Mayer is set to fight Englishwoman Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas at the end of the month for the WBO title, and Price has made her intentions clear about her next fight.
“I’ve been told I could possibly be boxing in August,” Price said
“I want to come back to Wales, if it’s not the winner of Mayer or Sandy next, I want that by the end of the year.
“I want to be active, I’m motivated and driven and I believe I can go all the way.”
Post Fight Respect
The leadup to the Price-Jonas fight had been relatively cordial between the two boxers, with only a bizarre situation at the weigh-in threatening to heighten the tensions between the two.
After the fight though, Price showed immense respect to Jonas.
“I’ll remember this night for the rest of my life,” Price added.
“Tasha’s a great fighter, but I knew my speed and my feet, that’s what won me the Olympic gold medal and I feel it’s going to get me to the top in the pros.
“It started with [Jessica] McCaskill in May and I just feel like I’m getting better and better.
“I’ll speak to [promoter] Ben [Shalom] and I want to go back to Wales, there’s nothing quite like boxing at home, but this was very special and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Scotland vs Wales: 5 Things We Learnt From The Murrayfield Madness
Rhodri Evans
Has anyone caught their breath yet? After a chaotic Saturday, including Wales veering from the ridiculous to the sublime, a classic England-Italy non-contest yesterday was just what the doctor ordered.
Despite trailing 28-8 at halftime, Wales produced a spirited second half performance to go down 35-29 in Edinburgh. The first half, which saw Wales concede four tries, had painfully reminded fans that this Wales team is quite out of the woods yet when it comes to it’s run of defeats.
The second half, though, did show that Matt Sherratt’s side are far from putting a first win on the board in 16 matches. What did the interim coach learn about his side, and what can change ahead of a massive last match at home to England?
A Cardiff-like Performance
Close followers of regional rugby will not have been as surprised as others when Wales conceded a number of tries, only to pull it back with some beautiful rugby of their own.
Last season, Cardiff Rugby – coached by Matt Sherratt in his first season in charge – lost 13 United Rugby Championship (URC) matches, but picked up 11 losing bonus points. High scoring loses were Cardiff’s speciality last season, and Wales followed suit on Saturday.
Their attacking game was excellent – the first try encapsulated this: Max Llewellyn and Taulupe Faletau put into position to exploit their physical gifts before the backs swung round and Gareth Anscombe’s lovely weighted chip found Blair Murray.
This dual-playmaking, passing rugby is a hallmark of Sherratt’s rugby and was showcased to good effect in the final 20 minutes, as Wales scored three tries through Ben Thomas, Teddy Williams, and Llewellyn.
A dogged defence
Despite conceding five tries, no one could fault the effort of the Welsh defence on Saturday.
Wales made 244 tackles against Scotland, their 4th most in a match since 2009. Sherratt picked the same back row that performed well against Ireland, selecting two opensides in Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan.
They competed hard at the breakdown, and to good effect at times. The negative impact of this bold tactic was Wales were often caught committing too many to the breakdown, and allowing Scotland space in the wide channels.
With their lethal back three up against Wales’s inexperienced one, there was only one winner.
A number of Welsh players emptied the tank against Scotland, and their effort paid off, as the visitors finished the match strong, scoring three unaswered tries. Dafydd Jenkins (28 tackles), Morgan (25), Faletau (19), and Thomas (17) earned their day off yesterday!
Bench Makes An Impact
A virtue of having some injury returnees is that the Wales squad looked the strongest it has all campaign.
With Gareth Thomas, Teddy Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Jarrod Evans, and Joe Roberts all performing well off the bench, Wales were able to finish strong.
Roberts deserves particular praise, coming on after an early injury to Tom Rogers and playing well out of position on the wing for much of the match.
The return of Dewi Lake from a bicep injury was also a massive boost for Wales. No one in the squad has the carrying ability of Lake, while he is an excellent scrummaging hooker.
The only question against Lake is his lineout throwing, which has markedly improved of late. Wales had a 100% completion in the lineout throughout the match. Teddy Williams also had a positive impact in this area, stealing a Scottish attacking lineout at a key point in the game.
Jac Morgan… Where would Wales be without him?
The Wales captain was everywhere on Saturday. His work rate is such that it is not surprising to see him make a tackle, pick himself to attempt a jackal, and then still be ready for the next phase of opposition attack.
Morgan has made the most tackles of any player in the Six Nations with 73, at a completion rate of 97%, and carries more than any other in the Wales team. Add in the second most defensive ruck arrivals in the tournament, and you have the hardest working player in the tournament.
Morgan is perhaps the only Wales player nailed on to make this summer’s Lions tour, and he should really be a lock in the back row, whether he wears the number six or seven shirt.
Can Wales spoil the England title charge?
Despite not being any where near their best, France’s defeat of Ireland means that England are in with a chance of winning the tournament at the Principality next Saturday.
What more motivation does the Wales squad need than to spoil England’s day, end their losing streak, and finish Matt Sherratt’s short-lived tenure on a high.
Wales have not produced a full 80-minute performance in the tournament so far, with the first 60 minutes of the Ireland match the closest they came. With the extra motivation of a partisan home crowd baying for England humiliation, perhaps Wales could do the unthinkable, and snatch a famous victory over their oldest foes.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Nicky Smith: 'For Jockey To Trust Me, That Was Massive'
Rhodri Evans
Nicky Smith says that it was “nice to have the trust” from Matt Sherratt as the new Wales interim coach started him at loosehead prop for the first time in the Six Nations in six years.
Smith, who moved from hometown club Ospreys to Leicester Tigers last summer, has been in excellent form this season, leading to a recall to the Wales set up in the autumn under Warren Gatland.
The 30-year-old prop came off the bench against Fiji and Australia, as well as starting the final fixture against South Africa.
Sherratt’s Fresh Ideas
Despite the chaos of the last couple of weeks in Welsh rugby, Smith admits that he found out that Gatland had left at the same time as the rest of the world did.
“Between the Italy and Ireland game, I was back with Leicester,” Smith explained.
“So I found out pretty much when everyone else did. When Jockey [Matt Sherratt] got the job, I didn’t get back to camp until the next Monday.”
Wales were praised during their last Six Nations match – a 18-27 defeat to Ireland – for their bravery with the ball and renewed strength at set piece.
“Jockey has brought fresh ideas,” Smith added.
“As a squad, we needed that. We needed to freshen things up, look at the game in a different way and go about things with a different gameplan.
“Everyone saw the boys response on the weekend, but it means nothing if we don’t back it up with a performance and result this Saturday.”
Murrayfield Test
Wales travel to Edinburgh to face Scotland in what is their last away game of this year’s Six Nations.
Despite Wales’s own losing streak, their opponents have also underperformed this campaign, losing their last two against Ireland and England.
Smith is looking forward to piling on the pressure at Murrayfield on Saturday.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play at Murrayfield before and outside of the Principality, it’s probably my favourite places to play,” he said.
“The crowd is always buzzing and we always have a good load of travelling Welsh fans too.”
Family Moment
Making his 50th cap off the bench in France, Smith was not able to celebrate after the match with his young family because they could not travel.
Playing their first home match against Ireland, he was able to put on his commemorative cap and properly mark the momentous ocassion.
“It was a lovely moment,” Smith added.
“France was a late kick off on a Friday night so the kids could not come out. Those are the moments that matter, celebrating with family.
“It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Unchanged Wales XV For Scotland Test
Rhodri Evans
Matt Sherratt has selected an unchanged XV for the Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Dewi Lake makes his return from a bicep injury to make the bench in place of Cardiff’s Evan Lloyd. Keiron Assiratti is the only other change to the squad, replacing Henry Thomas in the 18 jersey.
Lake captained Wales during the 2024 summer tour and the autumn internationals and was replaced by Morgan ahead of the tournament.
Morgan captains the side once again and remains in the number six shirt, with Tommy Reffell and Taulupe Faletau alongside him in the back row. Ahead of them, ever-present Will Rowlands is partnered by Dafydd Jenkins, and the excellent trio of Nicky Smith, WillGriff John, and Elliot Dee keep their places.
The Welsh pack performed well against Ireland, winning four scrum penalties and ending the match with a lineout completion of 95%.
Unchanged Backline
Sherratt has resisted the temptation to rotate the Wales backline, with experienced halfbacks Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe keeping their places.
Former Cardiff teammates Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn continue their growing partnership, while the Scarlets trio of Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, and Tom Rogers make up the back three.
On the bench, Rhodri Williams – having just signed a new contract with club side Dragons RFC – Jarrod Evans, and Joe Roberts are the backs.
The aforementioned Lake and Assiratti are joined on the bench by Gareth Thomas, Teddy Williams, and Aaron Wainwright.
One Change For Scotland
Under-fire Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made one change to his side, with wing Darcy Graham replacing Kyle Rowe, who drops to the bench.
Graham returns after missing the 16-15 defeat to England with a head injury, suffered after a nasty collision with teammate Finn Russell against Ireland in round two.
Jack Dempsey was an injury doubt but is fit enough to start at Murrayfield.
Watkin and Lawson Preview
Alex Cuthbert was joined on this week’s Sportin Wales podcast by Wales international and former Scotland scrumhalf Rory Lawson, to preview the weekend’s aciton.
Watkin, a former teammate of Alex at Ospreys, spoke about the shock in the camp when Warren Gatland left, the renewed enthusiasm under Matt Sherratt, and his recovery from a recent knee injury.
Lawson offered insight into the Scotland camp, the pressure on Townsend after successive Six Nations defeats, and how losing the match on Saturday is ‘incomprehensible.’
Listen to the podcast on Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on our YouTube.
Teams
Scotland
Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge (co-capt), Jack Dempsey.
Replacements:
Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, Gregor Brown, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe.
Wales
Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Ellis Mee; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, WillGriff John; Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, Jac Morgan (capt), Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements:
Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans, Joe Roberts.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Wales Women Six Nations Squad Announcement: Lynn Includes 9 Uncapped Players
Rhodri Evans
Sean Lynn has picked his first extended training squad for the upcoming 2025 Women’s Six Nations, including nine uncapped players.
Hannah Jones, who has played under Lynn as Gloucester-Hartpury, will continue to captain the team, with Alex Callender and Keira Bevan as her vice-captains.
Bevan captained Wales last autumn when Jones missed the WXV through injury, while Callender is a squad-regular and had a stellar 2024.
The 48-strong squad includes 15 players involved in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) semi-finals last weekend. Lynn’s own Gloucester-Hartpury beat Bristol Bears in the semi-final, with 10 players involved across the two sides.
In the other semi-final, where Saracens pipped London rivals Harlequins 32-24, five Welsh players took part, with Georgia Evans besting teammates Kayleigh Powell, Abbie Fleming, Lisa Neumann, and Carys Phillips.
As well as plenty of PWR representation, a number of players involved with Celtic Challenge sides Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder.
Gwalia have won six of nine games this season and sit third in the table, and their good form is represented by a healthy contingent, including captain and flanker Bryonie King, props Maisie Davies and Jenni Scoble, hooker Molly Reardon, locks Alaw Pyrs and Lily Terry, number eight Gwennan Hopkins, scrumhalf Sian Jones, centre Kerin Lake, and fullback Jenny Hesketh.
For Brython, Gwen Crabb has been in excellent form on her return from injury, while Cadi-Lois Davies, Robyn Davies, and Lucy Isaac are bidding to win their first caps. Seren Singleton and Savannah Picton-Powell have also impressed for Brython and will look to make their debuts this spring.
Isla McMullen, Seren Lockwood, Shanelle Williams and Jorja Aiono will join the senior squad from the Under-18s set-up as players of national interest.
‘Celtic Challenge is proving to be a real asset’
Despite having a tight turnaround of just six days between the PWR final and Women’s Six Nations, Sean Lynn is excited to start as Wales head coach.
“It’s exciting to get to name a first Wales training squad and one full of experienced international players, playing well for their clubs and young exciting players who have shone in the Celtic Challenge,” said Lynn.
“To have so many Welsh internationals feature in the Prem semi-finals is a testimony to the players quality and to their performances with their clubs.”
Lynn also recognised the positive development made by younger players in the Celtic Challenge.
“As coaches we have selected players who have really impressed and put their hands up playing for Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge,” Lynn added.
“The Celtic Challenge is proving to be a real asset with young Welsh players getting the opportunity to play against teams from Ireland and Scotland full of internationals.”
Prior to becoming Gloucester-Hartpury head coach, Lynn worked in the development pathway at Gloucester, naturing and bringing through a number of future England and Wales internationals.
“My rugby philosophy has always been about finding, nurturing and supporting young players and giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Lynn.
“We have selected a group of young Welsh players from age-grade rugby so the coaches and staff can assess where they are but also so they can experience an international environment and the standards expected at this level.
“The Celtic Challenge players and the age-grade players are the future Wales family and have been identified because we believe they have talent to make an impact at the highest level now or in the future.”
Wales Squad for 2025 Women’s Six Nations
Forwards
Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Abbey Constable, Stella Orin*, Allie Watkins*, Meg Lewis*, Kelsey Jones, Carys Phillips, Rosie Carr, Molly Reardon, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Cadi-Lois Davies*, Abbie Fleming, Robyn Davies*, Georgia Evans, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Lily Terry*, Alex Callender (vice-capt), Alisha Butchers, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins, Lucy Isaac*, Bryonie King.
Backs
Keira Bevan (vice-capt), Sian Jones, Meg Davies, Ffion Lewis, Seren Singleton*, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Robyn Wilkins, Courtney Keight, Hannah Jones (capt), Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell*, Nel Metcalfe, Catherine Richards, Lisa Neumann, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Niamh Terry.
* – uncapped
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Ospreys Pull Off A Classic: Welsh Rugby Weekend Round-Up
Rhodri Evans
With the Six Nations on a fallow week, one would reasonably assume that the world of rugby was take a well-earned break before the climax of it’s oldest competition… well, you assumed wrong, dear reader!
Welsh rugby fans were treated to a packed weekend full of URC and Celtic Challenge action, as well as plenty of Welsh interest in the Premier Women’s Rugby semi-finals.
Ospreys Win A Game For the Ages
When Toby Booth left his role as head coach of the Ospreys in December, he had led his side to just two United Rugby Championship wins in the first seven games of the season. Losing to Dragons and Zebre were galling, while the 59-15 thrashing at Montpellier was the last straw.
Fast forward, three months and Ospreys have won five in seven, drawing one at Cardiff, with the only defeat a 19-22 loss to the all-conquering Leinster.
The job that Mark Jones has done to transform the side has been as impressive as it has been instantaneous.
Saturday’s evening’s defeat of Glasgow Warriors was another level entirely. Beating the reigning URC champions away for the first time since 2016 would have been more than enough, but the manner of the victory made it all the more special.
Ospreys flew out of the blocks, scoring three tries in the first fifteen minutes.
Morgan Morse, a sure thing for a Wales debut this year, was everywhere, popping up at the bottom of a maul to score the opener, before peeling off the back of a scrum on halfway, stepping his opposite number, and offloading to set Kieran Hardy away for the second.
Glasgow showed why they are still in pole position for a play-off spot by coming back into the game, eventually leading 24-22 with ten minutes to go.
Kieran Hardy’s second try of the match earnt his side the lead again, but Glasgow thought they’d won it with a maul try of their own in the 78th minute. With the score 31-29 and the clock in the red as Jack Walsh kicked off for the final time, Ospreys knew that they needed to recover the ball or hope for a miracle.
Up stepped Justin Tipuric. The soon-to-be retired openside had been his usual tireless self all evening, and came up with a turnover penalty for the ages. Walsh displayed nerves of steel to kick Ospreys to victory, sparking scenes of rare joy.
With the race for the URC play-offs typically tight, Ospreys will need to keep picking up points if they are to qualify for a second season in a row.
Last season the chances of qualification with a few matches to go was as low as 2%. If you had offered that to Mark Jones in December, he’d have thought you were being kind on a new head coach. Now, he’d scoff and say his side have a much better chance than that.
Cardiff Push Leinster With Bonus Point Display
Cardiff put in a creditable display as they earnt a bonus point in defeat away at Leinster on Saturday.
Most sides travel to Dublin with trepidation, but Cardiff were excellent in a pulsating first half. Their equalising try, after a maul try from the home side’s John McGee, was beautifully worked.
Cam Winnett sped through a gap, collecting a glorious delayed pass from Callum Sheedy, and displayed great composure to throw a perfect dart off his right hand without slowing down to send Harri Millard away. It was a piece of skill that marked Winnett out as such a promising talent in Welsh rugby.
When Thomas Young ploughed over, it looked like Cardiff would go into the break with the lead. Leinster, though, had other ideas.
First, newly-capped Ireland prop Jack Boyle went over, before a flurry of three tries in the first ten minutes of the second period put the result beyond doubt.
The visitors struck back twice, again through Harri Millard and replacement Ellis Bevan, earned a bonus point which boosts their play-off chances.
Scarlets Lose Thriller To Ulster
Scarlets, like their arch rivals Ospreys, flew out of the blocks in Northern Ireland, scoring twice in the first ten minutes to go 0-12 up at Kingspan Stadium.
Macs Page was found in acres of space by a chip from Gareth Davies, collecting and speeding past the Ulster backline to score.
Page was once again in the thick of the action as he turned on the afterburners to speed round Jacob Stockdale and put Ioan Nicholas away. Capable of playing either in the centre or on the wing, Page, like Morse, is another who will be likely capped for Wales at some point this year.
Ulster came back in the first half to lead by a point, before Scarlets took control in the second half. A trio of penalties from Ioan Lloyd and an opportunistic try from Vaea Fifita.
A try from Callum Reid kept Ulster within touching distance and they broke Scarlet hearts as captain Alan O’Connor powered over with three minutes to go.
With a bonus point in the bag, Scarlets remain in the play-offs picture, but will need to pick up wins against Stormers and Ospreys in their next couple.
Dragons Left Wondering When Season Will End
As Joe Westwood crossed to put his side 7-21 up in Parma, he and his teammates must have had half an eye on just a second win of the URC season.
Such is the Dragons season this term, they would fly back to Newport without a single point, let alone a win. A brace from Brodie Coghlan and the aforementioned Westwood score put Dragons into a healthy lead.
Zebre, though, kept their heads and picked off their opponents with an expertise usually reserved for sides in the upper echelons of the table.
When Geronimo Prisciantelli kicked the penalty to take Zebre to 31-21 ahead, the disappointment on the Dragons’ faces were evident.
Since beating the Ospreys on the opening day of the season, Dragons have won just once – a hard-fought clash with Newcastle Falcons in the Challenge Cup. Perhaps more worrying is their lack of losing bonus points.
Since losing 22-24 to Cardiff in the Boxing Day derby, they have lost six matches without picking up a single point and at an average defeat of 22 points.
Brython Win As Gwalia Title Hopes End
Wales international lock Gwen Crabb scored a brace as Brython Thunder secured just a second win of the Celtic Challenge season.
Crabb’s double put Brython into a 14-point lead, one that they would not relinquish in Glasgow. The result lifts the side off the bottom of the table, leapfrogging Warriors – their opponents on Saturday. With another fixture against Glasgow next weekend to finish, Brython could rise as high as fourth in the table after a solid end to the campaign.
Gwalia Lightning, though, had their title chances ended by a phenomenal Wolfhounds performance at Ystrad Mynach. The Irish visitors scored seven first half tries to lead 0-41, before Gwalia came back strongly in the second period.
Rhodd Parry got Gwalia on the board, before captain Bryonie King continued her good form with a second score, and Caitlin Lewis had the final say.
With Wales’s squad for the Six Nations set to be announced shortly, a number of Gwalia players have put their hands up in recent weeks, including Maisie Davies, King, and Carys Hughes, who were all impressive in defeat.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Candleston Homes Gives Back to the Community
Rhodri Evans
As part of their ongoing commitment to the community, Candleston Homes was thrilled to have given away 1,100 tickets to local residents, schools, and community groups, offering them the opportunity to experience the excitement of a Dragons RFC match.
Through their extensive connections to the local community, Candleston were able to give tickets to Dragons’ United Rugby Championship clash with Irish giants Munster to residents from their ‘The Grove’ and ‘Elderwood Parc’ developments.
As well as this, Candleston collaborated with Melin Homes and Newport City Homes to offer their residents the chance to attend the exciting match.
The benevolence did not stop there, as Candleston also gave local school children the chance to see the match, as the Dragons put in a spirited display, winning the second half.
This event was an example of how Candleston is working to bring communities together and create opportunities for people to get involved.
“We are really excited to be able to celebrate the work that Candleston has been doing to engage with communities across Newport and the areas that we work in,” said Group CEO, Paula Kennedy.
“We gave out over 1,000 tickets to the residents of Melin and Newport City Homes, and the wider community as well.”
“Candleston has demonstrated that it wants to work with those communities and grow with those communities and, in partnership with Melin and Newport City Homes, we are delighted to be a part of that.”
Along with the ticket giveaway, they are proud to have become the Official Sponsor of the newly named stand at Rodney Parade, which they hope will inspire local pride and support for the team.
“Candleston is very routed in the local community of Newport and the former Gwent valleys,” added Kevin Beevers, Chairman of Candleston.
“We hope everyone had a wonderful evening and celebrates the great work that is done at Candleston.”
The energy at the match was electric, and it was fantastic to see many familiar faces in the crowd. It was great to be a part of such a memorable evening, with the community coming together to support Gwent rugby.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended – seeing your match-day photos and all the energy you brought to the game was a real joy!
Candleston are looking forward to future opportunities to team up with the Dragons and continue bringing the community closer through rugby.
Candleston Homes are part of the Melin Group and have expansive history in delivering housing in well located sites across Southeast Wales.
They specialise in creating impressive residential communities in sought-after locations.
Every home is designed and built to a high standard of specification and finish, creating contemporary and comfortable homes that customers are proud to own.
Because Candleston are committed to running our business responsibly and sustainably, we don’t take on multiple projects that might overstretch our resources.
And that means they never have to compromise on the detail, ensuring that they can deliver homes of the highest quality on every development.
Dragons RFC is one of Wales’ elite professional rugby teams, competing in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions.
Based in Newport, the Dragons have a strong connection to their local community and are all about supporting their fans, aligning with Candleston’s values.
For more information, contact info@candlestonhomes.co.uk or visit either website:
www.dragonsrfc.wales or candlestonhomes.co.uk/en/
You can also see the good work that Candleston and Dragons RFC do in the community on their social media channels: @candlestonhomes @dragonsrfc
Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.