Latest news with #SixNationsWoodenSpoon
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World Rugby officially announce new rankings as Wales' fate sealed and England on the charge
Wales' defeat to Italy marked the team's 14th consecutive international loss, and the lowest point in Welsh rugby. Following Georgia's victory over Netherlands in the Rugby Europe Championship, Wales have slipped even further down the World Rugby Rankings to 12th, as officially confirmed by the governing body at midday on Monday. Warren Gatland's side are now staring down the barrel of a second consecutive Six Nations Wooden Spoon, which would have previously seemed impossible considering they were the number one ranked team in the world, for a brief period, in 2019. READ MORE: Six Nations news LIVE as WRU consider Warren Gatland's future READ MORE: 'It's not fair' – Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in firing line as Shrewsbury boss hits out Wales have dropped to 12th place in the rankings, one above Japan. They are due to tour there in the summer, and if they are to continue their losing streak, the Brave Blossoms could well leapfrog their Welsh opponents in the rankings, leading to even more Welsh misery. Following their win against France, England have jumped to sixth place, with Scotland swapping with them following their loss to Ireland. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. There have been calls from some to introduce Six Nations promotion and relegation, with Georgia's dominance in the Rugby Europe Championship pushing their case to be involved. Wales legend Sam Warburton re-affirmed his calls for this recently, but says it almost certainly could never happen. Wales have not won an international game since they defeated Georgia in the pool stages of the 2023 World Cup, and despite Gatland's message of "building towards the 2027 World Cup", there have been little signs of progression in recent months, with the game against Italy arguably the worst performance of his second tenure so far. 1South Africa 92.782Ireland 91.36 (+0.58) 3New Zealand 90.364France 87.19 (-1.32) 5Argentina 84.976 (↑7) England 83.63 (+1.32) 7 (↓6) Scotland 82.99 (-0.58) 8Australia 81.529Fiji 80.0710Italy 78.67 (+0.26) 11 (↑12) Georgia 73.8512 (↓11) Wales 73.75 (-0.26) 13Japan 72.9514Samoa 72.6815USA 70.02
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Italy v Wales national media reaction as Welsh 'predictability now coupled with rank ineptitude'
Italy have heaped the pressure on Wales after the 22-15 defeat at Stadio Olimpico, meaning the team are lurching towards a second successive Six Nations Wooden Spoon. Wales' 14th successive Test match defeat could be the final straw for Warren Gatland's Welsh Rugby Union bosses. There have been calls in the nationals on Sunday morning for discussions about relegating Wales from the Six Nations as they are described as the "laughing stock of Welsh rugby". One columnist said he had been "passionately watching Wales for 30 years" but added: "This is the worst side I've ever seen wear red." Another has picked up on Dan Biggar telling ITV that sacking Gatland now must be considered. READ MORE: Recent Wales captain Ken Owens turns on WRU with live TV accusations READ MORE: 'We cannot accept this, it can't go on!' Jamie Roberts and Dan Biggar rocked by Wales shocker The WRU has promised a detailed review of Wales' Six Nations performances after the tournament and matters are hardly likely to improve given that remaining fixtures are against Ireland, Scotland and England. It was Gatland's 20th loss in 26 Tests since returning for a second stint at the helm, an eighth Six Nations reversal in a row and the first time Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats against Italy. They also slumped to a new world ranking low of 12th, with Georgia climbing above them following their Rugby Europe Championship victory over the Netherlands in Tbilisi. You can read more about that here. Rain-swept Rome provided a suitably miserable back-drop for a Wales team undone by Italy wing Ange Capuozzo's first-half try, plus five penalties and a conversion from full-back Tommaso Allan. Wales managed an Aaron Wainwright try and late penalty try, plus a Ben Thomas penalty as Italy had forwards Marco Riccioni and Dino Lamb yellow-carded during the closing minutes. There was no reprieve for Wales, though, with only a losing bonus-point collected and the inquest will be long and hard ahead of them resuming Six Nations action against Ireland in Cardiff on February 22. This is how the national media has reacted to the defeat: Daily Telegraph The paper's columnist Gareth Davies has said that it is time to "talk about relegating Wales from the Six Nations". Read what Sam Warburton has to say on the matter here. Davies said: "For a decade, I agreed with those who questioned if Italy deserved their spot. Wales have fallen so far it's time to ask the same of them." He went on to say: "So, here we are again then. Thought Wales had hit rock bottom? Not on your nelly, sunshine. We've just lost to Italy. For the third time in four years. The side that, until Welsh rugby imploded, were the laughing stock of European rugby. "This is Italy's 25th Six Nations. They have 18 wooden spoons, losing every game in 13 of those. Up until 2022, Italy had lost 36 Six Nations games in a row. That's who Wales just lost to, again. There is no doubt who is the better rugby side. "This was no normal loss to Italy, either. We've been utterly battered by them in the rain, and if they had a kicker it would have been by much more. "I've been passionately watching Wales for 30 years. This is the worst side I've ever seen wear red. "For the best part of a decade, like many, I have questioned why Italy should be given a spot in the premier European competition to make up the numbers. 'Relegate them.' 'We'd be better off as the Five Nations.' 'What's the point in Italy?' "Well, now the shoe is on the other foot, and it's Wales who deserve to have our mere existence questioned. We have fallen so far that it's time to ask – what do Wales bring to the Six Nations?" Daily Mail The paper has picked up on what former Wales fly-half and Mail Sport columnist Biggar has to say on ITV that sacking Gatland now must be considered. "If you look at the games Wales have lost in the last 12 months, today was the poorest display in that run," said Biggar. "It is hard to say, but it is just not working. This team look short of belief and confidence. The curve has been downward. I don't think anything is off the table. It can't be. It can't carry on." He added: "We're frustrated as a group of players. There is no one more disappointed than us. "We knew today was pretty vital for us and we're pretty disappointed and frustrated. I understand about professional sport. Rugby is about performance and winning." The Guardian Freelance sports writer Daniel Gallan wrote that Warren Gatland's "Divine Comedy descended another circle". He wrote: "Perhaps the most damning point of all is that this never felt like a contest. The losing bonus point, procured at the death with a penalty try after two Italians received yellow cards, felt undeserving and failed to gloss over the preceding dross. "Even with so much riding on this result, and even with the weather stifling Italy's attacking threat, Wales simply failed to manufacture a challenge. Forget about a Plan B, Gatland's team now appear bereft of any plan at all beyond aimless kicks, toothless carries and unjustified hope." He added: "Wales changed their entire front row at once. It didn't help – Italy won a scrum penalty that Allan generously drifted wide of the poles. The struggling Ben Thomas – who plays in midfield for Cardiff – was replaced by Dan Edwards at fly-half. It didn't help – the Wales backline was just as disjointed as it had been in the first half, as they seemed incapable of stringing together more than three phases. "It was all so predictable, which is not inherently a bad thing. After all, most teams know what France and South Africa will do. It's that Wales's predictability is now coupled with rank ineptitude." Planet Rugby The rugby website's writers reminded us that "woeful Wales" has fallen to "an all-new low" and said that the team were "simply second best" in every area. Jared Wright wrote: "They It's been a bleak 12 months for Welsh rugby, but today's loss to Italy was, quite literally, the lowest point they have ever been. "For the first time since 2003, Wales are now below Georgia in the World Rugby rankings table, and to be honest it doesn't seem like they will climb above them any time soon either, given the way they are playing. "Wales were simply second-best in every area in the defeat to Italy. Up front, they were monstered in the scrum, lost the lineout duel and found themselves wanting in the breakdown and the carry too, which is a far cry from the Wales side we watched in Gatland's first spell." Adding: "In the backline too, things just aren't flowing and they are reverting to incredibly simple rugby, and let's face it, it's not a modern Tier 1-level attack. "Since taking the reins, Gatland made Wales a formidable side that could beat anyone; but now it feels a team have to be at their absolute worst to be beaten by them. They are, quite literally, at their lowest point, and it seems they will only fall from here too." They also said that it was time for Warren Gatland to go and that rugby bosses should listen to Georgia who have been banging on the door of the championship for a number of years.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Italy vs Wales prediction: Azurri may run hapless Wales out of Rome
Italy vs Wales betting tips Wales travel to Italy on Saturday desperate to put last weekend's thrashing by France behind them and finally get their Six Nations campaign up and running (2:15pm, ITV1). Warren Gatland's side were beaten 43-0 in Paris on Friday, a record defeat for Wales in France, surpassing the 1991 36-3 loss. It was also Wales' 13th successive Test match defeat, a run which dates back to October 2023, when they beat Georgia 43–19. Italy opened their Six Nations campaign with a trip to Scotland on Saturday, where they were beaten 31-19 to leave them joint bottom with Wales without a point so far. After picking up the wooden spoon last year and losing all five matches, Wales will be desperate to end their losing run and, on paper at least, this is the best chance they will get for a while. Italy vs Wales betting preview: Wales' dismal run to continue It's hard to see how Wales are going to stop the rot if nothing is going to change yet it's also hard to understand how different this spell is under Gatland. In his first spell from 2007 to 2019, he won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and reached the semi-finals of the 2011 and 2019 World Cups before leaving to coach the British & Irish Lions. He returned to Wales in 2022, but it has been anything but a happy return. Last year they collected the Six Nations Wooden Spoon for the first time in 21 years, which prompted him to offer his resignation. That was rejected by the WRU, but things haven't got any better, losing every game since including a first-ever defeat by Fiji in November. I think we can expect them to fair better than they did last weekend but rugby betting sites are all favouring a home win, with the Italians at 4/9 while you can get 21/10 on a Wales win and 25/1 on a draw. You can get 40/1 on Italy winning to nil but we prefer 11/4 on Italy to win by 11-20 points. Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Betting sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
France v Wales match preview, coverage & key stats
Men's Six Nations: France v WalesVenue: Stade de France Date: Friday, 31 January Kick-off: 20:15 GMTCoverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales & BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1 and S4C. Overview The 2025 Six Nations kicks off in Paris on Friday as tournament favourites France host struggling Wales at the Stade de French have improved since head coach Fabien Galthie took charge in 2020, but despite possessing what many perceive to be a golden generation, their only title during that period is the 2022 Grand collected the dreaded Six Nations Wooden Spoon last year and are desperate to avoid a record-extending 13th straight Test visitors endured a bleak 2024, losing every game in a calendar year for the first time since the Welsh have won five times in France during the Six Nations era, so this might just be the perfect place to turn that form around. View from both camps France head coach Fabien Galthie: "It's quite a long competition but it's also like a sprint, which is quite astonishing, so it's like a 400m race."For these reasons, the opening game - whoever you face - remains special, and one to be approached with caution and motivation."Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "I think there is more pressure on them because of the expectation from their fans. They expect them to go out there, throw the ball around, score tries and entertain everyone."Sometimes teams can go and overplay, particularly early on, try things and make mistakes and this gives you opportunities." Team news FranceAntoine Dupont returns from his sevens exploits to skipper the side and he partners Romain Ntamack at half-back – it's Ntamack's first cap for 17 months after recovering from a serious knee Damian Penaud is out with a muscle issue and is replaced by Theo Attissogbe. Jonathan Danty, Gael Fickou, Thibaud Flament Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon and Reda Wardi are all absent and there's no place for fly-half Matthieu Jalibert in the matchday line-up: 15-Ramos; 14-Attissogbe, 13-Barassi, 12-Moefana, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Ntamack, 9-Dupont (capt); 1-Gros, 2-Mauvaka, 3-Atonio, 4-Roumat, 5-Meafou, 6-Cros, 7-Boudehent, 16-Marchand, 17-Baille, 18-Colombe, 19-Auradou, 20-Guillard, 21-Jegou, 22-Le Garrec, backs Josh Adams and Liam Williams are in but veteran back row Taulupe Faletau is not in the Lloyd and Henry Thomas earn their first starts in the front row, while Dafydd Jenkins, the 2024 Six Nations captain, is at lock. Ben Thomas is selected ahead of Dan Edwards at fly-half, with the latter set to win his first cap from the Rogers, Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are set to make their Six Nations line-up: 15-Williams; 14-Rogers, 13-Watkin, 12-Tompkins, 11-Adams; 10-B. Thomas, 9-T. Williams; 1-G. Thomas, 2-Lloyd, 3-H. Thomas, 4-Rowlands, 5-Jenkins, 6-Botham, 7-Morgan (capt), 16-Dee, 17-Smith, 18-Assiratti, 19-F. Thomas, 20-Reffell, 21-R. Williams, 22-Edwards, 23-Murray. Commentator's notes Andrew Cotter: Seldom would Wales approach any Test match believing they could not win, but victory in Paris on Friday night would stretch the most vivid of Welsh are favourites for the overall title and their talent-rich squad is deep enough to cope with injuries to players such as Damian Penaud, Charles Ollivon and Gael Fickou. They also have an astonishing amount of power and weight in the pack which Wales have to try and live it's not a bad-looking Welsh side. Their back-row of James Botham, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright should compete well, Tomos Williams is in great form at scrum-half and the experience of Josh Adams and Liam Williams in the back-field will be vital to give them hope here and for the rest of the championship. Match facts Head-to-headFrance have won six successive Test matches against the Welsh have won five of their 12 Six Nations Tests in France; no other team has won as often on French soil. FranceFrance have won the Six Nations once since 2010, securing the Grand Slam in won only one of their three Six Nations Tests at home last year, drawing one and losing the Ramos kicked more goals (25) and scored more points (63) than any other Six Nations player in 2024. WalesWales have lost 12 consecutive Tests, which is their worst ever lost all five of their Six Nations matches in 2024 and went on to claim the Wooden could lose seven successive Six Nations games for the first time in 22 Gatland will take charge of 150th Test as Wales head coach in Paris.
