Opinion
Nations Championship
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Contributors
Mark Orders
Mark is a freelance journalist who has covered many sports across three decades, focusing mainly on rugby. He was named Welsh Sports Hall of Fame Sports Journalist of the Year in 2017 and Sports Journalist of the Year at the Welsh Media Awards in 2019. The first rugby result he looks for on a Saturday is Maesteg RFC's and he follows Tottenham Hotspur at football, learning over the years to manage his expectations.
100 Articles
Latest
International Rugby
English audiences are seeing there's still plenty of Welsh talent
9
18 days ago
United Rugby Championship
Welsh rugby is shrouded in uncertainty but must battle on to RWC
3
34 days ago
International Rugby
The all-action Ospreys No 8 wants to get back into Welsh contention
48 days ago
Nations Championship
Welsh rugby has issues to solve to not regress into darker days
4
101 days ago
Analysis
Improving Wales look to upset Argentina in their own backyard
Steve Tandy's men appear to be on an upward curve, but proof of their progress will be in abundance if they can manage to upset Lo…
Mark Orders
08 Jul 2026, 3:12
Analysis
Fully-loaded Wales look to build momentum as they aim to make winning a habit
Boosted by the England-based players, Steve Tandy expects a significant step up in intensity after a 'friendly' fixture against th…
Mark Orders
02 Jul 2026, 6:42
2
Opinion
‘The hope is that it’s not a cruel summer for Wales and the good work of the Six Nations is not undone’
History underlines how daunting a task Wales face in the coming weeks, when Steve Tandy will need his leading lights to point the …
Mark Orders
24 Jun 2026, 8:31
5
Opinion
Who's next up in Wales' long search for a tighthead titan to succeed 'Bomb'?
With Archie Griffin and Keiron Assiratti unavailable, Dillon Lewis, Sam Wainwright and Ben Warren are the next trio in line as Wal…
Mark Orders
10 Jun 2026, 8:04
3
Opinion
The good, the bad and the unreal – highs and lows of the 2025-26 season in Wales
Record beatings on the field and plenty of acrimony off it, but uplifting moments amid the woe: the highs and lows of the Welsh ru…
Mark Orders
28 May 2026, 5:14
Opinion
Tandy mines the depth chart as Wales look to unearth World Cup gems
The Welsh coach has named an expanded squad for the Nations Championship as he seeks to widen Wales' resources
Mark Orders
12 May 2026, 9:12
Exclusive
Fletcher Anderson: 'They love their rugby in Llanelli. The fans in Wales are as passionate as anywhere.'
The gifted Kiwi No 8 has, arguably, been the regional signing of the season and he has not ruled out playing for Wales in the futu…
Mark Orders
04 May 2026, 12:02
Opinion
The Ospreys are still standing proud and deserve credit for digging in amidst uncertainty
Despite the threat of being wound up, Mark Jones' team, have shown admirable resolve in a battling league campaign
Mark Orders
24 Apr 2026, 8:02
3
Opinion
Dragons' shock Euro win over French giants a welcome tonic for Welsh game
Cardiff and Ospreys were left ruing their luck but the Dragons' upset triumph over Stade Français was a welcome boost for Welsh r…
Mark Orders
08 Apr 2026, 10:11
2
Opinion
‘Some significant Welsh talents could make names for themselves despite U20s results’
They may have finished in the bottom half of the U20 Six Nations but some Wales players showed unmistakable glimpses of talent.
Mark Orders
25 Mar 2026, 2:19
4
Opinion
Wales forced to wear underdog tag against Italy but hope power pack can kickstart renaissance
Steve Tandy's men are targeting a first Six Nations win in three years to stop Italy registering three wins in the tournament for …
Mark Orders
12 Mar 2026, 8:06
5
Opinion
Irish test will prove whether Welsh upturn is a permanent or temporary affair
There were seeds of promise in Wales' stern examination of Scotland's credentials but they now have to back it up in Dublin
Mark Orders
04 Mar 2026, 13:05
2
Opinion
Can bruised Wales use the underdog tag to upset Scottish momentum?
Steve Tandy has rolled the dice with a number of changes to face Scotland but knows a massive improvement is required
Mark Orders
19 Feb 2026, 13:26
7
Opinion
Wales brace themselves for French invasion knowing they simply have to do better
The French juggernaut will roll into Cardiff hellbent and demolishing any Welsh resistance and Steve Tandy's men must show smarts …
Mark Orders
11 Feb 2026, 5:59
8
Opinion
'Small steps are needed, but Wales have much to gain from this Six Nations'
Steve Tandy leads his reinforced squad into the championship against the backdrop of off-field turmoil.
Mark Orders
05 Feb 2026, 11:17
2
Opinion
Steve Tandy seeks calmer waters amidst backdrop of uncertainty
The Wales coach has named a squad he hopes will spirit the country to some much needed victories but off-field issues continue to …
Mark Orders
23 Jan 2026, 5:20
1
Opinion
Hope and salvation fires Welsh rugby into 2026 amidst an uncertain future
A resurgent Dragons, defiant Ospreys and high-flying Cardiff gives Welsh fans hope they can be competitive in the Six Nations
Mark Orders
07 Jan 2026, 3:25
1
Opinion
'To lose one Welsh captain is unfortunate; to lose two might be considered a bit careless'
The departures of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake has only fuelled the sense of anger and uncertainty over the future of Ospreys.
Mark Orders
18 Dec 2025, 4:37
7
Analysis
Wales are out of luck and out of ideas, so where do they go from here?
Steve Tandy has endured a baptism of fire in his early months as Welsh coach and will only hope matters take an upward curve
Mark Orders
04 Dec 2025, 9:10
10
Opinion
Wales face the mighty Boks as underdogs but hope tentative signs of progress continue apace
Both Wales and the Springboks are weakened for the final Test of the Autumn Series but no one is expecting a Welsh win, just progr…
Mark Orders
27 Nov 2025, 7:58
4
