After previewing England’s chances in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, our attention now turns to Wales. Warren Gatland’s side get this year’s competition underway a week tomorrow with a tough test away at France.
Ahead of their opening fixture, we’ve taken a look at their chances as they look to bounce back from a nightmare 2024.
Wales took the wooden spoon for the first time in 21 years in last year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations. They finished rock-bottom of the table as they lost all five of their matches, just three years after lifting the trophy back in 2021.
Wales’ disastrous Guinness Men’s Six Nations showing 12 months ago set the tone for the year. They lost all of their remaining matches in 2024, becoming the first international rugby team to lose every single match in a calendar year since 1937.
Five of those defeats came at the hands of Australia and South Africa, which would usually be forgiven. Yet their 24-19 defeat to Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series in November was a cause for concern and Gatland has a job on his hands to turn their fortunes around.
A trip to Paris in the curtain-raiser will be tricky but following that they’ll be heading to Italy, who they’ll fancy their chances of beating. A win over the Italians would likely be enough to avoid a successive wooden spoon, although they should realistically be setting their sights higher.
Wales end their Guinness Men’s Six Nations campaign by welcoming neighbours England to Cardiff in mid-March. Depending on how the competition goes, there’s every chance that clash could be Gatland’s final time in charge.
Following a 2024 to forget, Wales clearly needed a huge shake-up so it’s no surprise that Gatland has shaken up his squad. With Dewi Lake injured, Ospreys forward Jac Morgan has taken over as captain for the spring fixtures. Sam Costelow is also out with an injury, which has led to a few raised eyebrows after fly-half Gareth Anscombe was left out.
Meanwhile, Wales have been strengthened by the return of some key players from injury. Josh Adams, Elliot Dee, Taulupe Faletau, Dafydd Jenkins, Joe Roberts and Liam Williams are all back in the fold having missed the Autumn Nations Series through injury.
Like England, Wales have named two uncapped players in their squad in the shape of Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards and Scarlets wing Ellis Mee. And they might not be their only Guiness Men’s Six Nations debutants – eight players that made their debut in 2024 are hopeful of their bows in the iconic competition.
Gatland’s squad is packed full of youth and inexperience. With an average age of 26, there are an astonishing 18 players in the camp with 10 caps or fewer. The Wales boss will be hoping that a new-look group with a fresh mindset will fire them into action as they look to put 2024 behind them.
France v Wales – Friday 31st January, 20:15
Stade de France, Paris
Italy v Wales – Saturday 8th February, 14:15
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Wales v Ireland – Saturday 22nd February, 14:15
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Scotland v Wales – Saturday 8th March, 16:45
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium Edinburgh
Wales v England – Saturday 15th March, 16:45
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
As ever, you can enjoy all of Wales’ home Guiness Men’s Six Nations games from the comfort of our premium hospitality facility.
The exclusive area at the Principality Stadium is located in the iconic Gaucho restaurant – as well as unrivalled views from your Category A seat, you’ll also get all this:
● Sparkling wine reception
● Three house beverages per person (Guinness, draught lager or wine)
● Delicious three-course lunch with half a bottle of wine per person
● Guest speakers
● Complimentary match programme
● Hostess service
If you’d like to watch the rugby action in Cardiff from the best seats in the house, enquire today to reserve your place.
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), WillGriff John (Sale Sharks), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby), Henry Thomas (Scarlets), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Saracens), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
For 20 years Engage have been delivering premium hospitality experiences around the world and we're thrilled to celebrate '20 Years of Engage' throughout the 2025 sporting and entertainment calendar. On a fantastic milestone for the company, our...