WALES’ Six Nations campaign is facing an unexpected off-field challenge, with thousands of seats still empty for upcoming home fixtures at Cardiff’s 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium.

Figures from the Welsh Rugby Union ticketing platform show significant availability remains for all three remaining championship games in the capital. The shortfall is most noticeable for March’s meeting with Italy, while seats are also still on sale for clashes with France and Scotland.

For a tournament traditionally regarded as the crown jewel of the Welsh sporting calendar, such availability is unusual. Home internationals in Cardiff have long been considered near-guaranteed sell-outs.\

Grassroots clubs counting the cost

Several community clubs allocated ticket packages are now scrambling to avoid financial losses.

Some club officials have taken to social media to try to shift surplus tickets. Others say they are facing invoices for thousands of pounds despite not selling their full allocations.

One grassroots representative told The Herald that unsold tickets could leave his club thousands of pounds out of pocket — a significant blow for volunteer-run organisations already balancing tight budgets.

Matchday prices range broadly depending on seating category, with some fans questioning whether the cost of attending still represents value for money.

Performance and politics

On-field struggles have coincided with uncertainty off it.

Wales endured a prolonged losing streak before breaking the run last summer and have not lifted the Six Nations title since 2023. A heavy opening defeat in this year’s championship has done little to restore confidence among supporters.

Away from results, tensions remain over the future structure of the professional regional game, with debate continuing about funding, governance and the long-term direction of Welsh rugby.

Sports economist Calvin Jones said sustained under-capacity crowds would be concerning, noting that international gate receipts form a major part of the sport’s financial model in Wales.

“The stadium is critical to the game’s financial health,” he has previously warned. “If reduced attendances became a trend rather than a one-off, that would raise serious questions.”

WRU confident of late surge

The Welsh Rugby Union insists supporter loyalty remains strong and says sales have accelerated since the tournament began.

Officials point to changing purchasing habits, with more fans buying closer to matchday rather than months in advance.

They remain confident that the atmosphere in Cardiff will remain vibrant when France visit, with hopes that traditional matchday traditions — from the anthem to the post-match celebrations — will continue to draw supporters through the gates.

Lowest crowds?

Historically, Six Nations matches in Cardiff have rarely dipped far below capacity. The lowest attendance in the tournament at the Principality Stadium came against Italy in 2002, while recent fixtures have generally drawn well over 60,000 spectators.

Whether the current dip reflects temporary frustration or a deeper shift in supporter behaviour may become clearer by the end of the championship.

For now, Welsh rugby finds itself fighting for momentum — both on the pitch and in the stands.

Athletic XV head coach remembered as ‘one of life’s genuinely good people’ as fixtures postponed in tribute

TENBY UNITED RFC is mourning the sudden death of Athletic XV head coach Tim Poole, a well-known and much-loved figure in Pembrokeshire and Welsh grassroots rugby.

The club confirmed earlier this week that Tim had passed away unexpectedly, prompting an outpouring of tributes from players, coaches and clubs across the region.

A long-time supporter and member of Tenby United RFC, Tim stepped into the Athletic XV head coach role last summer when the side entered the league. Club officials said he was “immensely proud” to be part of the Seasiders and quickly became a central figure in the team’s development.

Known for his approachable manner and constant smile, Tim earned respect not only for his coaching but for the time he gave to others.

Alongside his work on the pitch, he delivered Level 1 coaching courses, safeguarding sessions and first aid training, supporting volunteers and players both within Tenby and across the wider rugby community. Many credited him with helping to strengthen grassroots rugby throughout the county.

In a statement, the club said it had been “inundated with tributes and condolences”, describing the response as a reflection of “how many people he supported and inspired”.

Club representatives added: “Tim was a true rugby man, always to be seen with a smile on his face and he had time for everyone. He was one of life’s genuinely good people and will be dearly missed.”

As a mark of respect, senior fixtures scheduled for this weekend against Burry Port and St Davids have been postponed, with both visiting clubs thanked for their understanding.

The club said its thoughts are with Tim’s family and friends at this difficult time, sending particular condolences to Julie, Bethany and Joe.

Rest in peace, Tim.

A PROMINENT Welsh entrepreneur has urged a leadership shake-up at the top of the Welsh Rugby Union, saying the organisation has mishandled plans to reshape the professional game and has lost the confidence of many across the sport.

Hayley Parsons, founder of the comparison website GoCompare and a former board member at Cardiff Rugby, has written to clubs around Wales calling for urgent change and for current chair Richard Collier-Keywood to step down.

She described the governing body’s approach to negotiations over the future of the regions as secretive, poorly communicated and damaging to trust within Welsh rugby.

‘Game in crisis’

Parsons said the sport was facing one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history.

In her view, decisions that could reduce the number of professional sides from four to three are being pushed through without proper engagement with clubs, players and supporters.

She warned that Welsh rugby risks further division if the process continues in the same way.

“You cannot expect people to buy into change when they feel shut out of it,” she said, adding that respect for the people who run and play the game at every level should come first.

Three-region plan

The WRU has proposed cutting one of the current professional regions as part of a financial and structural overhaul.

Under the plans, Wales would move to three top-tier sides – broadly based in the east, Cardiff and the west – with the union arguing that resources and playing talent are currently spread too thinly to compete effectively.

Uncertainty remains over the future of the Ospreys, whose ownership group has been linked with taking over Cardiff. If that happens, fears have grown locally that the Neath-Swansea-Bridgend region could disappear.

That would leave Dragons RFC, Scarlets and Cardiff as the surviving professional sides.

The issue has sparked strong reaction beyond the boardroom, with political leaders and grassroots clubs voicing concern about the impact on communities and pathways for young players.

Leadership questioned

While Parsons praised chief executive Abi Tierney for her efforts, she argued that the overall direction and tone of the process had been wrong.

She also raised concerns that neither of the two most senior figures at the WRU comes from a rugby background, suggesting that deeper understanding of the sport is essential when making decisions that shape its future.

Parsons accepted that moving to three regions might ultimately prove necessary, but said the route taken to reach that conclusion had alienated too many people.

WRU response

In response, the WRU said difficult decisions were unavoidable if the game was to become financially sustainable.

A spokesperson said the board’s focus was on protecting the long-term future of both grassroots and professional rugby, adding that investment in youth pathways and player development remained central to its strategy.

The union insists extensive consultation has taken place and says reform is needed to ensure Welsh rugby can live within its means while remaining competitive.

Growing pressure

Calls for change are gathering pace. Some clubs are exploring whether to force an extraordinary general meeting once the Six Nations concludes, while local authority leaders have also questioned the direction being taken.

For many supporters, the debate now goes beyond balance sheets and structures. It is about identity, heritage and whether decisions are being made with communities — rather than behind closed doors.

As one of Wales’ most recognisable business figures, Parsons’ intervention adds further weight to the growing pressure on the WRU hierarchy at a pivotal moment for the national game.