Sport

The Six Nations: Come on Wales!

Published

6 years ago

January 30, 2020

WITH new coaches in charge of Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy, there’s an air of change about this year’s Six Nations competition.

Only Eddie Jones and – for now – Gregor Townsend remain at the helm of their countries’ sides from last year.
Wayne Pivac, the former Scarlets coach, takes charge of Wales following Warren Gatland’s retirement. He has very big shoes to fill and his task is not made any easier by the failure of the WRU to retain the services of key backroom staff member Shaun Edwards.

There are five uncapped players in Wales’ 34-member squad for the tournament: Louis Rees-Zammit, Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, WillGriff John and Will Rowlands.

Rhys Webb also gained a recall having signed a contract with Ospreys following two years with Toulon which ruled him out of the Test arena.

It’s also a welcome return for prop Rob Evans, from Spittal, who was left out of Wales World Cup squad to widespread astonishment. Evans is a strong scrummager and powerful in the loose. He has been in destructive form on the loose-head side for Scarlets this season alongside his Welsh teammate Ken Owens.

Absent are the long-term injured Gareth Anscombe, Jonathan Davies, and Tomos Francis.

The absence of Jonathan Davies is likely to be keenly felt in midfield. While Owen Watkins is making a faster than expected recovery from his injury, Wales will need to reshuffle their settled three-quarter line which shone in the Rugby World Cup.

Among the options Wales are considering to replace their midfield general is moving George North inside from the wing to provide a physical presence and a different threat than the injured Lions centre.

Louis Rees-Zammit, the Gloucester winger, is one to watch out for; if he gets on the pitch, he’ll be the large red blur charging at the Italian defence. The eighteen-year-old flyer has been compared to George North in terms of size, speed, and predatory scoring ability. Despite representing Wales at U18 level, the Cardiff-born winger attended Gloucester’s rugby academy to fit in with his education at Hartpury College. Rumours that Eddie Jones tried to tempt him over to the dark side were quickly squashed when Rees-Zammitt was selected in the Wales senior squad.

At full-back, with Liam Williams ruled out of this weekend’s Italy game, Leigh Halfpenny is almost nailed on to start. The Scarlets number 15 has been in stellar form this season, offering threat in attack, solidity in defence, and reliability with his metronomic boot. His recovery from a serious concussion injury, which left him out of the game for a long period and ruled him out of last year’s Six Nations, has resulted in renewed determination from the Scarlets man.
“It only feels like yesterday I was one of the younger boys,” Halfpenny says.

“I’m one of the older ones now and it’s great for us as a squad to have fantastically talented youngsters coming through. It’s strengthening us as a team and there is a lot of competition.

“It does make me realise I’m probably in the latter stages of my career. When I look back on it, it has all gone so quick. It’s gone in the blink of an eye. It’s incredible. It’s always a privilege to hear your name read out for the Welsh squad and even though I am in the latter stages of my career, I’m still ambitious. I’m still hungry to achieve things, but I also want to enjoy every moment I have as much as possible at the moment.”

Leigh Halfpenny continued: “Last season the boys were absolutely outstanding. To achieve a Grand Slam was incredible and it’s now hugely exciting looking ahead to this Six Nations,” Halfpenny said.

“Our goal is to go and win the title again. That’s the challenge for us as a squad. We’ve got new coaches and management and that’s really exciting as well.

“It is a new era for the squad. What was achieved with the previous management was just incredible and the feeling in the group has been brilliant these last two weeks. The boys have come in full of energy and we can’t wait to get started with this Six Nations. Italy will be an extremely tough challenge. Both teams will want to get off to a positive start to the campaign. Having played Italy you know they do pose threats and they’re a tough team to crack. We’re going to have to be at our best to do that both in attack and defence. We want to get our Six Nations campaign off to the start we want which is with a win.”

Former Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac is the man tasked with filling the boots of fellow New Zealander Warren Gatland, who steered Wales to three grand slams and two World Cup semi-final appearances during his 12-year reign.

“The guys have been made aware of the style of game we want and the positional and role specifics they will have to play,” says Pivac.

“The expectation is we are going to move a bit more ball and what I’m seeing at the moment is a great reaction. We’ve got a good vibe in the group and if the training sessions are anything to go by, we’ve got guys putting their hands up to take to the field.”

Pivac continued: “The boys had a fantastic competition to win the Grand Slam last year. History says this year is going to be tough with England and Ireland away, but that’s the challenge.

“That’s what motivates the best players and coaches. We think we have a draw that lends itself to us building into the competition. With no disrespect to any opponent, I think it’s nice we’ve got a home game to kick it off and you can certainly sense there is a bit of excitement.

“We are going to evolve our attack and that will take a bit of time. It took a bit of time with the Scarlets and I’m sure it will be no different at an international level, except we have got a higher calibre of player to work with across the board.”

Wales haven’t lost to Italy since 2007 and the Azzurri have never won in Cardiff since joining the Six Nations. The 2020 tournament will be their 21st season in the Championship.

Italy are now coached by Franco Smith and captained by hooker Luca Bigi with Sergio Parisse – who has skippered the team for so long – absent for the Cardiff clash.

“I think there will be a lot of continuity. I think Wayne is very smart in the way he goes about things,” said Smith.
“He spent five years in Wales – there’s a reason why they’ve appointed him after Warren. It’s going to be again a big physical challenge, but I do think they will bring a bit of an attacking edge. The style Wayne played at the Scarlets will be noticeable in the new approach.

Sport

Lloyd and Reynolds take on France with Supra GT4 challenge

Published

2 days ago

March 28, 2026

Herald Sport

WELSH drivers Rhys Lloyd and Harri Reynolds are set to take on Europe as they launch their 2026 campaign in the French GT4 Championship.

The pairing will compete in the Championnat de France FFSA GT – GT4 France, driving a Toyota Supra GT4 run by Circuit Toys in partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing France.

The highly competitive series features five rounds across some of France and Belgium’s most iconic circuits, with the season getting underway at Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro over Easter weekend (April 5–6).

European step up

Both drivers bring experience as teammates, having competed together in the 2024 Britcar Trophy Championship and earlier this year in the Dubai 24 Hours — giving them a solid platform heading into their first full European campaign.

The FFSA GT4 series also offers a significant incentive, with a €150,000 prize fund available through the SRO Motorsports Group’s GT Academy programme, aimed at helping drivers progress to higher levels such as GT2 and GT World Challenge Europe.

Aiming for the title

Reynolds, from Narberth, said he was eager to build on the pair’s recent success.

“I’m really looking forward to the season ahead,” he said. “After the Dubai 24, Rhys and I have built a strong understanding of how the team operates, and they now know how we work as drivers.

“Taking our first proper step into European racing, it’ll be exciting to experience the competition and get to know new drivers and teams.

“We’re aiming to put ourselves in a position to fight for the championship. As drivers, that’s always the goal. Rhys and I have worked well together, and if we can continue that momentum, we’ll be right in the mix.”

He added that racing abroad would bring new challenges, including travel demands and adapting to unfamiliar circuits and conditions.

Motivated return

Lloyd, from Carmarthen, said he was relishing his return to racing after time away in 2025.

“I’m super excited about the 2026 season,” he said. “Having taken a year out, I’m more motivated than ever to be back.

“The Toyota Supra GT4 is an incredible car, and to be back driving with Harri is a great partnership.

“It’s a big step for us both to race in France — all the circuits and competitors will be new — but I’m really looking forward to getting started in Nogaro.”

Further announcements about the team’s 2026 campaign are expected in the coming months.

Sport

World Cup dream shattered for Wales in penalty agony

Published

4 days ago

March 26, 2026

Herald Sport

James strike undone by late Bosnia leveller before shootout collapse in Cardiff

WALES suffered heartbreaking World Cup play-off defeat as their hopes of reaching the 2026 finals ended in a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff.

Craig Bellamy’s side looked to be in control after Daniel James fired them ahead early in the second half, sending the Cardiff City Stadium into raptures.

But just as Cymru edged towards victory, the game turned cruel.

Veteran striker Edin Džeko struck in the 86th minute to level the tie at 1–1, silencing the home crowd and forcing extra time.

Despite chances at both ends, neither side could find a winner, sending the contest to penalties.

Shootout agony

Wales made the perfect start when Karl Darlow saved Bosnia’s opening spot kick, handing the hosts an early advantage.

But the momentum slipped away.

Brennan Johnson blazed over under pressure, before Neco Williams saw his effort saved — and from there Bosnia held their nerve.

The visitors converted their remaining kicks to win the shootout 4–2, sparking wild celebrations as Wales were left stunned.

Dream ends in familiar fashion

The defeat sees Wales miss out on a place in the World Cup finals, extending a painful run of play-off heartbreak decided from the penalty spot.

For Bellamy’s side, this will be remembered as a night when qualification was within touching distance — only to be snatched away at the death.

Cover image:

Cymru team photo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off semi final between Cymru Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. (Pic by John Smith/FAW)

News

Tenby waterman riding high in global hydrofoil rankings

Published

4 days ago

March 26, 2026

Herald Sport

Local athlete Mogsy Morgan breaks into world top ten in elite ocean discipline

TENBY waterman Gareth “Mogsy” Morgan is making a name for himself on the world stage after breaking into the top ten of one of the most demanding single-handed watersports disciplines.

Morgan has been ranked sixth in the world in the latest Hydrofoil Downwind leaderboard for 2026, based on performance over a 10km ocean swell navigation split—an elite benchmark in the sport.

Hydrofoil downwinding involves riding offshore ocean swells using a board, hydrofoil and paddle, often far from shore and exposed to challenging conditions. Athletes use GPS tracking to log their routes, which are then uploaded to global ranking systems for comparison.

Morgan said he is now competing alongside some of the sport’s biggest names, including Hawaiian world champions John Florence and Nathan Florence.

“I’m right up there in the world rankings,” he said. “I’ve trained hard to get into peak condition, and I’m continuing to improve my performance. The momentum is definitely on my side.”

He added that the sport offers a unique experience: “There’s a real flow state when you’re riding ocean swells—linking one wave to the next. It’s an incredible, almost meditative feeling, even though you’re exposed to real hazards offshore.”

Morgan has spent recent years travelling internationally to develop his skills, bringing that experience back to Wales as he pushes towards even higher rankings.

His recent success builds on a strong 2025, when he placed 69th in the world for the same 10km category and also ranked within the top 100 for shorter sprint distances.

“I’ve already improved on my 2025 results in the first few months of this year,” he said. “My goal now is to break into the top 50 worldwide.”

Morgan was an early pioneer of hydrofoiling in Wales, first adopting the technology during his time competing in the British Kite Racing Circuit, where he secured a third-place podium finish in his division.

He was also invited to take part in Olympic kite racing trials at the British Sailing Academy in Weymouth and has previously been crowned UK Kitesurfing Circuit Wavemaster Champion in his category.

Today, he continues to promote the sport locally by organising hydrofoil events across Pembrokeshire and South Wales, helping to grow interest and develop new talent.

With his sights firmly set on climbing the global rankings, Morgan added: “I’m still getting faster and pushing the limits. Watch this space—Cymru am byth.”