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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.

Long overdue for Wales to look at high-flying Osprey Morgan Morris
The Ospreys No 8 has been a model of consistency for his region but has yet to persuade Warren Gatland he deserves a call-up.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
28 May 2024, 6:53
Wyn Jones: 'I feel fitter now than at any time since the Lions tour.'
The British and Irish Lion has seen his long stay at the Scarlets end and he is looking for a new opportunity
LONG READ
Mark Orders
15 May 2024, 9:52
'Had Feyi-Waboso stayed with us, he’d be playing for Wales by now - he should be playing for Wales.'
The direction of travel eastwards, over the Severn Bridge has turned from a trickle to a torrent and Wales must somehow stem the p…
LONG READ
Mark Orders
02 May 2024, 8:17
Glimmers of positivity but Welsh rugby not moving anywhere fast
The regions have battled manfully with ever reducing budgets but while Welsh rugby awaits another reboot other nations forge ahead
LONG READ
Mark Orders
18 Apr 2024, 14:20
Where have all the Welsh wings gone?
With Louis Rees-Zammit heading for the NFL and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso plumping for the Red Rose, Wales' depth chart is stuck in the …
LONG READ
Mark Orders
04 Apr 2024, 3:35
Gatland faces tricky questions after Wales' Six Nations trauma
The longstanding Welsh coach may see light at the end of the tunnel but the worry is it might be an onrushing train.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
21 Mar 2024, 14:54
The cavalry will soon return but Wales need to end grim streak
Wales will soon be boosted by the return of some leading lights but the immediate aim is to end a losing home run.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
07 Mar 2024, 9:40
No doubting Tommy
Tommy Reffell has been Wales' standout player in this year's Six Nations but for those who know it, it comes as no surprise
LONG READ
Mark Orders
22 Feb 2024, 0:12
Gatland game-plan must play to strengths of class of 2024
Wales look better suited to a game of pace and guile rather than the attritional style of Warren Gatland's first stint in charge.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
08 Feb 2024, 12:58
Gatland forced to play a youthful hand as golden generation ebbs away
Wales have been forced to drum up their own hype with neutral observers writing them off before the tournament has started
LONG READ
Mark Orders
01 Feb 2024, 0:48
Fledgling Ospreys offer hope with 'Gucci galacticos' long gone
They can no longer afford big-ticket imports but an emerging crop of talented youngsters gives Ospreys cause for optimism.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
26 Jan 2024, 1:53
Rees-Zammit blow and injury crisis leave Wales with Himalayan task
Star winger's exit to NFL and a bloated injury list means Wales need to manage expectations.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
17 Jan 2024, 10:43
Which young thrusters could make Wales' Six Nations squad?
How many fresh faces who have caught the eye this season can we expect to see picked by Warren Gatland?
LONG READ
Mark Orders
05 Jan 2024, 4:14
Silver linings for Welsh teams but European struggles a sign of the times
There were consolations in defeat for the four regions but we shouldn't be surprised by their results in Europe
LONG READ
Mark Orders
20 Dec 2023, 9:29
Will 'risk-taker' Gatland gamble on 'adventurer' Lloyd?
Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd has pace, guile and imagination, but will he be to Warren Gatland's taste for Wales?
LONG READ
Mark Orders
06 Dec 2023, 10:46
'Life is tough': Patience the watchword for Welsh regions
Saddled with debt and stuck in the bottom six of the URC, hope is the only thing left for the Welsh regions to cling to
LONG READ
Mark Orders
24 Nov 2023, 12:09
Wales turn on the style as the rebuild starts in earnest
A friendly, entertaining run out against the Barbarians will have solved a few more problems for Warren Gatland but questions rema…
LONG READ
Mark Orders
08 Nov 2023, 12:30
Wales and Warren Gatland seek radical new project
Saturday's clash with the Barbarians will provide a glimpse of a new Welsh generation.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
02 Nov 2023, 2:28
'Welsh rugby has much to do for the national team to prosper in Australia in 2027'
Warren Gatland exited the World Cup with the goodwill of the Welsh rugby public and will waste no time in preparing for the journe…
LONG READ
Mark Orders
19 Oct 2023, 8:00
'Imagine what Rees-Zammit could do with more ball on Rugby World Cup stage'
The flying wing can obliterate defences, but Wales must do a better job of supplying him with opportunities to prosper in Marseill…
LONG READ
Mark Orders
13 Oct 2023, 6:10
'Like a darts ace on a roll, Warren Gatland keeps finding the target with big calls'
Warren Gatland is nailing the gutsiest decisions as Wales' resurgence continues
LONG READ
Mark Orders
03 Oct 2023, 5:01
Dan Biggar prepares to relinquish Welsh jersey on a high
The experienced Welsh fly-half is in the dying embers of his Test career but he has lost none of his fire to succeed
LONG READ
Mark Orders
23 Sep 2023, 0:36
Wales aiming to avoid sting from Portuguese men of war
The heroics against Fiji mean a much-changed side for Portugal where nothing less than a bonus-point win will do
LONG READ
Mark Orders
15 Sep 2023, 3:39
Is it time to acknowledge George North's career and give him some credit?
With 114 Wales caps, a Lions series win and four Six Nations titles to his name, George North doesn't get the plaudits he deserves
LONG READ
Mark Orders
09 Sep 2023, 1:22
The making of Jac Morgan
Wales' co-captain has been a stand-out player for his country and his former club and age-grade coach only expect him to get bette…
LONG READ
Mark Orders
29 Aug 2023, 9:57
Rugby World Cup Stories: How callow Wales came of age in 2011
Inexperienced and heavily criticised, Wales silenced their doubters in emphatic fashion in 2011.
LONG READ
Mark Orders
16 Aug 2023, 11:47
Stephen Jones: 'Difficult periods are when the best learning takes place.'
The widely-respected former Welsh pivot was caught up in a period of turbulence that saw him leave his coaching role early
LONG READ
Mark Orders
20 Jul 2023, 13:26
Who will replace Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny as Wales' first choice full-back?
The two men who have dominated the No 15 shirt over the last decade will leave a gaping hole in the Welsh defence
LONG READ
Mark Orders
10 Jul 2023, 6:01
Can Wales ever truly replace the Trebanos terror?
Justin Tipuric was one of the most skilful opensides to grace the game and the race is on to find his successor
LONG READ
Mark Orders
21 Jun 2023, 7:34
Sam Davies: 'All I can say is that Grenoble have given me reassurances.'
The former Ospreys and Dragons pivot is leaving the uncertainty of Wales for the foothills of the French Alps with Grenoble
LONG READ
Mark Orders
09 Jun 2023, 14:07
The human cost of Welsh rugby's austerity drive
It's been a season which has seen droves of Welsh players either retiring or leaving Wales, with some still searching for their ne…
LONG READ
Mark Orders
23 May 2023, 7:16
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