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The 2025 Six Nations was a low point for Welsh rugby, culminating in a record 17th consecutive defeat to England, with the team conceding 195 points (average 39 per game) while scoring only 76 (average 15.2 per game), leading to a drop in world rankings. The campaign began with a scoreless 7-0 loss to France—the first in 18 years—where Wales held the score at 0-0 for the first 17 minutes before Théo Attissogbe’s try broke their resistance, with France beating 27 defenders to Wales’ 12 and achieving a 93% tackle success rate against Wales’ 87%.
Injuries to Aaron Wainwright and Owen Watkin further weakened the squad. The build-up to the England clash had sparked optimism, with references to 2013, 2015, and the lack of a Six Nations win over England since 2021, but the result was a crushing disappointment.
Warren Gatland’s tenure ended after a severe defeat to Italy, prompting the departure of both Gatland and Rob Howley. His era struggled with a lack of power in the front five, a weak tighthead prop position with Archie Griffin unlikely to figure, and a lack of experience, missing leaders like Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, Gethin Jenkins, and Sam Warburton.
The WRU’s CEO Abi Tierney confirmed a post-Six Nations review, with a break clause in Gatland’s contract suggesting his exit, as Ben James predicted he wouldn’t be coach by summer 2025 due to 2024’s dismal results. These struggles highlight the urgent need for a new direction, setting the stage for a talent pipeline to drive a Welsh revival.
Introducing the Talent Pipeline: A Beacon of Hope
Amid these challenges, a new talent pipeline has emerged as a beacon of hope for Welsh rugby’s future in the Six Nations. A rare spark of light flickered at the Principality Stadium during Wales’ match against Ireland in the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, where interim head coach Matt Sherratt’s attacking philosophy ignited optimism among fans.
Ellis Jenkins had predicted in his Six Nations Rugby column that Sherratt would bring excitement back to the stadium, a prophecy that proved true despite an 18-27 defeat. The match showcased a revitalised Welsh side that led at half-time, challenging the world’s best and earning praise despite a 14-match losing streak.
This game highlighted the potential of young players like debutant Ellis Mee and Blair Murray in the backs, both delivering standout performances, alongside Tom Rogers’ exceptional try. Jac Morgan, at 25, stands out as Wales’ best player, a favorite for the British and Irish Lions openside spot despite the team’s struggles. Morgan’s fellow Osprey, Dewi Lake, shone during the autumn, bringing leadership and quality. Exeter’s Dafydd Jenkins, at 22, has proven himself as an excellent Test player. Blair Murray cemented his place as fullback, while Ellis Mee and Tom Rogers are set to be key in the rebuild.
Ospreys’ 19-year-old Morgan Morse is tipped to become a regular starter and win his first senior cap, and second-row James Fender is another uncapped prospect likely to debut in 2025, especially given second-row injuries. Tommy Reffell also showed grit in the France loss, providing a foundation to build on. These emerging stars are the cornerstone of Wales’ path to Six Nations dominance.
Harnessing the Talent: Strategies for Success
To turn this talent pipeline into a Six Nations-dominating force, Wales must implement strategic changes. Matt Sherratt’s interim stint demonstrated the potential of these young players, with Jac Morgan noting a clear attacking plan that pushed Ireland to the wire and scared Scotland in round 5. However, Sherratt’s return to Cardiff after a one-word answer on taking the role full-time, despite his contract renewal complicating a permanent appointment, opens the door for new leadership.
The WRU is linked with experienced coaches like Michael Cheika, Pat Lam, and Stuart Lancaster, who have turned struggling teams into contenders—Cheika with Leinster and Leicester, Lam with Bristol, and Lancaster with England and Leinster. A Director of Rugby role is also under consideration, with names like Ken Owens, Jamie Roberts, or Sam Warburton suggested for their love of Welsh rugby. A potential Japan tour offers a development opportunity for these young players under new leadership.
Italy’s success provides a blueprint for Wales, having built consistent combinations like the centre pairing of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, who excel with Menoncello’s physical dominance and Brex’s defensive IQ. Italy’s back row (Negri, Lamaro, L. Cannone) and second row (N. Cannone, Ruzza, with Dino Lamb pushing for a spot) are also solid. Their 10/12/13 lineup has been consistent in 12 of their last 13 Tests, correlating with six wins and a draw since Wales’ last win in October 2023, while Wales has had 10 different combinations in the same period.
For Wales, pairing experienced players like Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe with young talents like Morgan, Lake, and Jenkins could provide stability and foster growth. A week in Nice post-France defeat allowed the squad to regroup, with strategies like returning to basics, tactical flexibility, and youth integration proposed to maximize the pipeline’s potential. These steps are crucial for transforming raw talent into a cohesive, dominant team.
Support Systems: Regional Strength and Cultural Backing
The development of this talent pipeline is supported by growing regional strength and deep cultural roots in Wales. Ospreys, Scarlets, and Cardiff are in the mix for URC play-off spots, while the Dragons lag at the bottom. Cardiff, under Sherratt, is third in the URC, with Steffan Thomas predicting they could squeeze into the play-offs due to their new-found grittiness, providing a platform for players like Blair Murray and Ellis Mee to thrive.
Ospreys, home to Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, and Morgan Morse, signed Fijian skipper Waisea Nayacalevu from Sale Sharks, while Scarlets tempted Joe Hawkins back from Exeter, signaling intent to bolster the national team’s depth. These regional improvements directly contribute to the growth of the talent pipeline.
Culturally, rugby remains a cornerstone in Wales, with 80% of the population watching the Six Nations, as noted by UK media and sport minister Steph Peacock. MPs like Tonia Antoniazzi, Ann Davies, and Charlie Dewhirst advocate for protecting Welsh language broadcasts on S4C, emphasizing rugby’s significance. Antoniazzi stated, “It is different in Wales, rugby is different, the viewing figures are higher, and also it is such a huge part of our culture”.
However, the UK government, categorizing the Six Nations as group B under The Broadcasting Act 1996, has no plans to shift it to group A for full live coverage on terrestrial TV, balancing access with broadcasting revenue. This cultural support can inspire the young players to perform on the Six Nations stage.
Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
The path to Six Nations dominance is not without challenges. The upcoming match against Italy in Rome, with Italy holding home advantage, is dubbed “Wales rugby’s biggest game for 20 years” by Dan Biggar, crucial to avoid a historical eighth consecutive Six Nations defeat and the wooden spoon. The Six Nations faces potential expansion, with nations like Georgia, South Africa, Japan, Portugal, Spain, and Fiji as contenders, bringing challenges like logistics and competitiveness but also opportunities to test Wales’ emerging squad against new rivals.
France’s 2025 victory, led by players like Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and England’s 10-try rout of Wales, marked their best campaign since 2020, highlighting the competitive gap the talent pipeline must close. Ireland, despite losing just two games in three years, faces a muddied fly-half picture, with Andy Farrell’s assistant coaches for the Lions to be named in 10 days, while Scotland’s Gregor Townsend faces pressure after a disallowed Tom Jordan score, reflecting the fine margins in the competition. The talent pipeline, with players like Morgan, Lake, and Jenkins, must rise to these challenges through the strategies outlined.
Opportunities like the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia can elevate the pipeline’s potential, with Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake considered likely selections if fit, alongside Tomos Williams as a top scrum-half contender. Aaron Wainwright faces competition from Ben Earl and Caelan Doris, while Nicky Smith, Dafydd Jenkins, and Tom Rogers are in the mix, with Rogers tipped as a bolter after his performance against the Wallabies. Josh Adams, Taulupe Faletau, and Liam Williams remain possibilities, though Wales may see their lowest representation in 20 years if Six Nations form doesn’t improve.
Ieuan Evans will be the tour manager, but Welsh player numbers may be limited. This international exposure can enhance the confidence and experience of players like Morgan and Lake, directly contributing to their Six Nations performance.
The Path to Six Nations Dominance
Wales’ new talent pipeline, featuring Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Dafydd Jenkins, Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Tom Rogers, Morgan Morse, and James Fender, offers a foundation for a resurgence. By implementing strategies under a new coach—potentially Michael Cheika, Pat Lam, or Stuart Lancaster—and building combinations like Italy’s Menoncello-Brex pairing, Wales can create a stable, competitive team. Regional strength, through signings like Waisea Nayacalevu and Joe Hawkins, and cultural support via S4C broadcasts, provides the necessary backing for this pipeline to flourish.
The next Six Nations, with no rest week and three matches before a fallow weekend, offers an immediate opportunity to test this potential. If Wales acts swiftly post-2025, leveraging their young talent, learning from Italy’s blueprint, and capitalizing on opportunities like the Lions tour, they can dominate the Six Nations, turning their current challenges into a platform for future glory.
