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This year, Welsh rugby faced a lot of challenges, with big decisions off the field and tough losses on it. From new leaders to some of the worst defeats ever, 2025 has been a hard year for the sport in Wales. Here are the five biggest moments that shaped Welsh rugby so far, based on reports from BBC Sport, Six Nations updates, and other sources, focusing on the men’s national team.
1. WRU Changes How It Funds Teams (May 18, 2025)
On May 18, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced a new way to give money to its four pro teams—Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets. Instead of giving each team the same amount, they’ll use a two-tier system, which means some teams might get more than others.
Ospreys and Scarlets didn’t agree to a new deal because they were worried about the WRU taking over Cardiff and things not being fair.
The current deal ends in 2027, and this change has caused arguments, with some people, including MPs, saying all teams should be treated the same.
This could change how Welsh rugby works, maybe even reducing the number of pro teams, which might affect young players coming through.
2. Warren Gatland Leaves as Coach (February 11, 2025)
Warren Gatland, who led Wales to many Six Nations wins, stopped being head coach on February 11 after the team lost 14 games in a row. Sources like Wikipedia say his exit came after a bad Six Nations, with big losses like 43-0 to France and 22-15 to Italy.
Gatland had been a great coach for years, but recent struggles meant it was time for him to go. This moment is huge because it shows Welsh rugby needs new ideas to get back to winning.
3. Matt Sherratt Becomes Temporary Coach (February 2025)
After Gatland left, Matt Sherratt, who coaches Cardiff Rugby, was picked as the temporary head coach for the rest of the 2025 Six Nations, according to Six Nations guides.
Starting in February, Sherratt tried to help the team through a tough time. Even though the losses kept coming, his new ideas brought some hope, and people are looking to him to turn things around.
4. England’s Huge Win Over Wales (March 15, 2025)
On March 15, Wales had their worst-ever Six Nations loss, beaten 68-14 by England at the Principality Stadium.
England scored 10 tries, showing how much Wales struggled to defend, as reported by Six Nations updates. This was the team’s 17th loss in a row and a wake-up call for everyone.
Temporary coach Matt Sherratt said the team needed to be honest about what went wrong, and this game showed how much work is needed to catch up with the best teams.
5. Wales Finishes Last in Six Nations Again (March 2025)
For the second year in a row, Wales came last in the Six Nations, not winning a single game. They lost to France (43-0), Italy (22-15), Ireland (27-18), Scotland (35-29), and England (68-14), earning the wooden spoon, as noted in Wikipedia.
The Scotland game showed some fight with four tries at the end, but the year was tough, showing problems with how the team plays and develops players. It’s a low point for a country that loves rugby.
