Barry John — the right kind of royalty

Few things bring home the cruelty of the relentless march of Father Time than the death of a sporting hero.  Since Barry John died on Sunday, flickering and grainy images of his supernatural like footwork, effortless grace and bewildering balance have flooded social media like a twentieth century memento mori.  The death of those we…

Essential book published on historic failings of Welsh Rugby Union

Considering the Welsh Rugby Union’s prominence in the cultural, political and sporting landscape of Wales, it is remarkable that until November 2023, no serious attempt had been made to chronicle its failings, follies and flaws. Finally, a book has arrived that examines key events from the past four decades in the Welsh game and shines…

Warren Gatland is sad

Are Wales really slow starters in the Six Nations?

When Wales went in 27-3 down at half-time at home to Ireland in the opening game of the 2023 Six Nations, Welsh fans could be forgiven for having a sense of it simply being business as usual. Wales have built a reputation for being slow starters in the tournament. But do the actual stats confirm…

Jac Morgan celebrates Welsh try

Gloom in Welsh rugby totally lifted by Jac Morgan winning Mike Pyke award

The gothic grimness which fills the air around the Principality Stadium — and which is fed by the stubbornness and incompetence of the WRU Board —  will no doubt be partially lifted by news that youngster Jac Morgan (fresh from bulking up on the advice of fitness guru Wayne Pivac) has won a double Mike Pyke…

Testing times — How often have Wales won a rugby Test series?

Historically, Welsh sides are the owners of a poor reputation when it comes to touring. And when you thumb through the history books it’s hard to form much of an argument against the stereotype. Most of Wales’s great rugby exploits have tended to come on European soil. So with Wales due to embark on a…

Both rugby books from the editor of The East Terrace get second editions

James Stafford, the editor of The East Terrace, released two books on rugby in 2021. Stafford’s An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby (art by Raluca Moldovan) was released in February 2021 by Polaris Publishing to critical acclaim. After selling out in late 2021, it was revised, updated and rereleased before the 2022 Six Nations. The…

Welsh coaches v Italy in the Six Nations (2000-2021)

Concluding our look at the history of Welsh coaches in the Five and Six Nations, this week we look at Wales’s results against Italy in the Championship. With Italy only joining the tournament for its expansion in 2000, this week’s article is a far more simple affair. A quick reminder before we start, this series…

Welsh coaches v France in the Five and Six Nations (1968-2021)

Continuing our look at the history of Welsh coaches in the Five and Six Nations, today we analyse Wales’s results against France since David Nash was appointed as the first Welsh coach in 1968. A quick reminder before we start, this series only looks at Five and Six Nations games and does not consider World…

Welsh coaches v England in the Five and Six Nations (1968-2021)

Continuing our look at the history of Welsh coaches in the Five and Six Nations, today we analyse the results against England since David Nash was appointed as the first Welsh coach in 1968. Full record of Welsh coaches against England in Five and Six Nations (1968 to 2021) Our previous columns showed that Wales…

Welsh coaches v Scotland in the Five and Six Nations (1968-2021)

Last week we took a look at how every Welsh coach has performed in the Five and Six Nations since the first coach was appointed ahead of the 1968 championship. We followed that with a look at the record for coaches against Ireland in the same period. With Scotland next up for a bruised Wales…

Welsh coaches v Ireland in the Five and Six Nations (1968-2021)

Earlier this week we took a look at how every Welsh coach has performed in the Five and Six Nations since the first coach was appointed ahead of the 1968 championship. With Ireland up first for Wales in the 2022 Six Nations, we thought we’d take a quick look at how these same coaches did…

A statistical history of Welsh coaches in the Five and Six Nations

With the 2022 Six Nations upon us, we thought it would be the ideal time to look at the history of Welsh coaches in the Five/Six Nations. Wales first appointed a coach for the 1968 campaign, with former Welsh number eight David Nash taking the reins. We aren’t going to get into the tangled webs…

(UPDATED) Shades of Red: A brief history of Wales playing only fourteen men

UPDATED: This article builds on an original article from 15/02/2021 In 755 Welsh Test matches since 1881, 16 players have been dismissed when facing Wales. Six of these sending offs happened in 2021. The first six dismissals of a Welsh opponent occurred between 1888 and 2006 (it was not possible to be dismissed between 1881…

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