Wales national rugby union team

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox national rugby team The Wales national rugby union team (Template:Langx) represents Wales in men's international rugby union. Its governing body, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), was established in 1881, the same year that Wales played their first international against England. The team plays its home matches at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which replaced Cardiff Arms Park as the national stadium of Wales in 1999.

Wales has competed annually in the Six Nations Championship (previously the Home Nations Championship and Five Nations Championship) since it was established in 1883. They have won the tournament (and its predecessors) outright 28 times, most recently in 2021. Since the Six Nations was formed in 2000, Wales have won six Six Nations titles, including four Grand Slams, and finished bottom three times. Wales has also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the competition was established in 1987; they finished third in the inaugural tournament and have since made two semi-finals, in 2011 and 2019. Wales were the host nation for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, although matches were also played in England, Scotland, Ireland and France.

The Wales team experienced their first 'golden age' between 1900 and 1911; they first played New Zealand in 1905, winning 3–0 in a famous match at Cardiff Arms Park, and between March 1907 and January 1910, they won 11 consecutive matches, a record that stood for over a century. Welsh rugby struggled between the two World Wars, but experienced a second 'golden age' between 1969 and 1980, when they won eight Five Nations Championships. In addition to their Six Nations successes, Wales also finished fourth at both the 2011 Rugby World Cup and 2019 Rugby World Cup. Additionally Wales won 14 consecutive matches between March 2018 and March 2019, and reached number 1 in the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in August 2019. Eight former Welsh players have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame; 10 were inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame prior to its 2014 merger into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

History

Early years (1881–1892)

Rugby union took root in Wales in 1850, when Reverend Rowland Williams became Vice-Principal at St David's College, Lampeter, and introduced the sport there.<ref>Sheers (2013), p. 1984.</ref> Wales played their first international match on 19 February 1881; organised by Newport's Richard Mullock and captained by James Bevan, they played against England, losing by seven goals, one drop goal and six tries to nil (82–0 in modern scoring values).<ref name="WalesHistory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> On 12 March 1881, the Welsh Rugby Union was formed at The Castle Hotel, Neath.<ref name="WalesHistory"/> Two years later, the Home Nations Championship – now the Six Nations Championship – was first played, but Wales did not register a win.<ref name="6NHistory"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="SixNationsResults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, rugby in Wales developed and, by the 1890s, the Welsh had introduced the "four three-quarters" formation – with seven backs and eight forwards instead of six backs and nine forwards – which revolutionised the sport and was eventually adopted almost universally at international and club level.<ref name="SixNationsHist"/>

First 'golden age' (1893–1913)

File:1895 Wales team cropped.jpg

The 1895 Wales team before playing England in the Home Nations Championship

With the "four three-quarters" formation, Wales won the Home Nations Championship for the first time in 1893, winning the Triple Crown in the process.<ref name="SixNationsHist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales next won the Championship in 1900, heralding the first "golden age" of Welsh rugby, which was to last until 1911.<ref>Andrews (1991), p. 343.</ref> They won two more Triple Crowns in 1902 and 1905,<ref name="6Nresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and were runners-up in 1901, 1903 and 1904.<ref name="SixNationsResults"/>

File:Wales team for the Original All Blacks match December 1905 - cropped.jpg

Wales' 1905 team that defeated New Zealand

In 1906, Wales again won the Home Nations Championship,<ref name="6Nresults"/>Template:Efn and later that year played South Africa for the first time. Wales were favourites to win the match,<ref>Parry-Jones (1999), p. 180.</ref> but South Africa dominated in the forwards and eventually won 11–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two years later, on 12 December 1908, Wales played the touring Australians, who they defeated 9–6.<ref name="BBCWalesAus">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1909, Wales won the Home Nations Championship and then, in 1910 – with the inclusion of France – the first Five Nations. In 1911, Wales took the first Five Nations Grand Slam, winning all their matches in the tournament.<ref name="6Nresults"/>Template:Efn It would be nearly 40 years before they achieved a Grand Slam again.<ref name="6Nresults"/> England's defeat of Wales at Cardiff in 1913 was Wales' first home loss to one of the Home Nations since 1899, and their first home loss to England since 1895.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 198.</ref> The Great War came in 1914 and rugby was suspended for the duration.

The Game of the Century

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File:Wales versus New Zealand scrum 1905 - cropped.jpg

A scrum in the Wales victory over New Zealand's Original All Blacks in 1905

When Wales faced New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park in late 1905, they had not lost at home since 1899.<ref>Elliott (2012), pp. 177–178.</ref> This New Zealand team – referred to as The Original All Blacks – was the first of the southern hemisphere national teams to visit the British Isles,<ref>Vincent (1998), p. 124.</ref> and were undefeated on their tour up to that point, having already beaten England, Ireland and Scotland.<ref name=McCarthy46>McCarthy (1968), p. 46.</ref>Template:Efn

Before the match, New Zealand team performed a haka (a Māori posture dance); the 47,000-strong crowd responded with the Welsh national anthem – Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ("Land of My Fathers") – the first time a national anthem had been sung before a sporting fixture.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales wing Teddy Morgan scored a try to give Wales a 3–0 lead, before New Zealand's Bob Deans claimed to have scored a try, only to be dragged behind the goal-line before the referee arrived. The referee awarded a scrum to Wales and the score remained unchanged; Wales won 3–0.<ref>McCarthy (1968), pp. 48–49.</ref> The loss was New Zealand's only defeat on their 35-match tour.<ref>Elliott (2012), p. 198.</ref>

Post-war years (1920–1968)

File:France versus Wales in rugby union 1922 - cropped.jpg

Wales playing France during the 1922 Five Nations Championship

The post-First World War years marked a decline in Welsh rugby. An industrial recession struck the country, and hurt South Wales in particular. Welsh international results in the 1920s mirrored the performance of the economy: of their 42 matches, they won only 17, with three drawn.<ref name="Smith204">Smith (1980), p. 204.</ref> Half a million people emigrated from Wales to find work elsewhere during the depression;<ref>Richards (2006), p. 123.</ref> this included many Welsh rugby union internationals, who moved to the professional code of rugby league.<ref>Richards (2006), p. 124.</ref> Between 1923 and 1928, Wales managed only seven victories – five of them against France. However, even France managed to defeat Wales that decade, achieving their first victory in 1928.<ref>Richards (2006), p. 126.</ref> Welsh selection policy reflected the upheavals of the mid-1920s. In 1924, 35 different players were selected for Wales' four matches, with a different captain for each, and only Edward Watkins in the backs and Charlie Pugh in the forwards playing in all four matches.<ref name="Smith204"/>

A resurgence of both economy and rugby union followed in the 1930s and, in 1931, Wales won their first championship for nine years. That year, for the first time since the First World War, Wales retained the same side for two consecutive matches when they faced England and Scotland.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 262.</ref> Then, in 1933, captained by Watcyn Thomas, Wales defeated England at Twickenham.<ref>Richards (2006), p. 135</ref> In 1935, Wales beat the touring New Zealand side 13–12, with Haydn Tanner making his first appearance. Although the Five Nations Championship was suspended during the Second World War,Template:Efn Wales did play a Red Cross charity match against England at Cardiff in 1940, losing 18–9.<ref>Richards (2006), p. 46.</ref>

After the Second World War, Wales played a New Zealand Army team (the Kiwis) in 1946, losing 11–3.<ref>McLean (1969), p. 147.</ref> The Five Nations (suspended during the war) resumed in 1947, when Wales shared the title with England. Although Wales suffered their first home defeat to France in 1948,<ref>Potter (1961), p. 99.</ref> they won their first Five Nations Grand Slam since 1911 in 1950.<ref name="6Nresults"/> The next year, they lost 6–3 to the touring South Africans, despite dominating in the line-outs.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 344.</ref> They achieved another Grand Slam in 1952,<ref name="6Nresults"/> followed by a 13–8 win over New Zealand in 1953.<ref>McCarthy (1968), p. 233.</ref> In 1954, St Helen's in Swansea (a Welsh international venue since 1882) hosted its last international and Cardiff Arms Park officially became the home of the Welsh team.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 349.</ref> In 1956, Wales again won the Five Nations, but they did not regain the title until 1964 and did not win it outright until 1965.<ref name="6Nresults"/>

File:Rugby arg wales 1968.jpg

Wales playing Argentina at Estadio GEBA in September 1968

Wales conducted their first overseas tour in 1964, playing several games and one test in South Africa.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 368.</ref> They lost the test against South Africa in Durban 24–3, their biggest defeat in 40 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the WRU annual general meeting that year, the outgoing WRU President D. Ewart Davies declared that "it was evident from the experience of the South African Tour that a much more positive attitude to the game was required in Wales ... Players must be prepared to learn, and indeed re-learn, to the absolute point of mastery, the basic principles of Rugby Union football".<ref>Smith (1980), p. 369.</ref> This started the coaching revolution. The WRU Coaching Committee – set up in the late 1950s – was given the task of improving the quality of coaching and, in January 1967, Ray Williams was appointed Coaching Organiser.<ref name=Morgan44>Morgan & Fleming (2003), pp. 44–45.</ref> The first national coach, David Nash, was appointed in 1967 to coach Wales for the season, but resigned when the WRU refused to allow him to accompany Wales on their 1968 tour of Argentina.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 389.</ref> Eventually, the WRU reversed their decision, appointing Clive Rowlands to tour as coach. Of the six matches, Wales won three, drew two and lost one.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 393.</ref>

Second 'golden age' (1969–1979)

Wales enjoyed a second "golden age" in the 1970s,<ref name="ReesGoldenEra">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Johnes (2008).</ref><ref name="Rewind1978">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with world-class players such as Gareth Edwards,<ref name="Rewind1978"/> J. P. R. Williams, Gerald Davies,<ref name="Rewind1978"/> Barry John,<ref name="ReesGoldenEra"/> and Mervyn Davies<ref name="ThatTry">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in their side. Wales dominated Northern Hemisphere rugby between 1969 and 1979, and managed an incredible winning record, losing only seven times during that period.<ref name="ReesGoldenEra"/> Wales toured New Zealand for the first time in 1969, but were defeated in both matches. In the second test, which they lost 33–12,<ref>McLean (1969), p. 144.</ref> New Zealand fullback Fergie McCormick scored 24 points; a record at the time.<ref>McLean (1969), p. 119.</ref>

In 1970, Wales shared the Five Nations with France, and recorded a 6–6 draw against South Africa in Cardiff.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 400.</ref> The following year, Wales recorded their first Five Nations Grand Slam since 1952. Using only 16 players in four games,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the 1971 side achieved their most notable win of the tournament in their victory over Scotland;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after a last-minute try by Gerald Davies that reduced Scotland's lead to 18–17, flanker John Taylor kicked a conversion from the sideline described as "the greatest conversion since St Paul" to give Wales a 19–18 win.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales contributed more players than any other team to the British Lions side that toured New Zealand that year. Those Lions became the only ones to win a series over New Zealand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the 1972 Five Nations Championship, Wales and Scotland refused to travel to Ireland at the height of the Troubles after receiving threats, purportedly from the Irish Republican Army.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Championship remained unresolved with Wales and Ireland unbeaten. Although the Five Nations was a five-way tie in 1973, the Welsh did defeat Australia 24–0 in Cardiff.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 432.</ref>

Wales next won the Five Nations outright in 1975, and in 1976, Wales won their second Grand Slam of the decade. Just like the first in 1971, they used only 16 players over their four matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They repeated the feat in 1978 and, in the process, became the first team to win three consecutive Triple Crowns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following their final Five Nations match of 1978, both Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards retired from rugby.<ref name="Rewind1978"/>

Wales hosted New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park in November 1978, losing 13–12 after a late penalty goal by the replacement New Zealand fullback, Brian McKechnie.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The penalty was controversial because New Zealand lock Andy Haden had dived out of a line-out in an attempt to earn a penalty. Haden later admitted that he and Frank Oliver had pre-agreed this tactic should they find themselves in difficulties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="HadenDive">Template:Cite news</ref> Referee Roger Quittenton was criticised by the press for failing to notice the dive, but he later stated that the penalty had been given against Welsh lock Geoff Wheel for jumping off the shoulder of Oliver.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Quittenton later said, "Haden's perception is that his dive secured the penalty. That is a load of rubbish".<ref name="HadenDive"/> Wales then went on to win the 1979 Five Nations with a Triple Crown.<ref name="6Nresults"/>

Barren years (1980–2003)

File:Graham Henry 28 March 2011 Twickenham.jpg

New Zealander Graham Henry coached Wales to their first test win over South Africa in 1999.

In 1980, the WRU's centenary year,<ref name="ABMagic">Template:Cite news</ref> Wales lost 23–3 to New Zealand in Cardiff, with the All Blacks scoring four tries to nil.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales won two matches in the Five Nations Championships of both 1980 and 1981,<ref name="1980sresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in 1983 were nearly upset by Japan, winning 29–24 at Cardiff.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1984, Australia defeated Wales 28–9 at Cardiff Arms Park.<ref name="BBCWalesAus"/>

Wales achieved only one win in 1987's Five Nations before contesting the inaugural Rugby World Cup.<ref name="1980sresults"/> Wales defeated Ireland in their crucial pool fixture,<ref>Peatey (2011), p. 36.</ref> before defeating England in the quarter-finals.<ref>Peatey (2011), p. 39.</ref> They then faced hosts New Zealand, who won 49–6, but beat Australia in the third place play-off game to claim third.<ref name="Peatey246">Peatey (2011), pp. 246–247.</ref> The next year Wales won the Triple Crown for the first time since 1979, but heavy defeats on tour to New Zealand later that year saw the end of a number of Welsh players' careers, as several converted to rugby league.<ref name="ABMagic"/>

Welsh rugby reached a nadir when Wales suffered their first Five Nations Championship whitewash; they had upset England in 1989 to avoid losing all their Championship matches that season,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but in 1990, Wales were defeated in all four Five Nations' matches for the first time, before almost doing the same the following year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The 1991 World Cup saw further frustration, when Wales were upset by Samoa in their opening match.<ref>Peatey (2011), p. 62.</ref> A second group-stage loss, by 38–3 to Australia, eliminated Wales from the tournament.<ref name="Peatey264"/>

After winning two Five Nations games in 1992, and one in 1993,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales won the Championship in 1994 on points difference.<ref name="6Nresults"/> But without defeating one of Australia, New Zealand or South Africa during the inter-World Cup period, and again losing all four of their matches at the 1995 Five Nations Championship, Wales was not considered a major contender for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.<ref name="Peatey264"/><ref>Peatey (2011), p. 81.</ref> At the 1995 World Cup, after comprehensively beating Japan, Wales lost to New Zealand; this meant that they needed to defeat Ireland to qualify for the quarter-finals. Wales lost 24–23 and so failed to progress beyond the pool stage for the second time,<ref name="Peatey282"/> and later that year Kevin Bowring replaced Alec Evans to become Wales' first full-time coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Record defeats of 51–0 to France and 96–13 to South Africa, prompted the WRU to appoint New Zealander Graham Henry as coach in 1998.<ref name="CoachArchive">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="HenryDownfall">Template:Cite news</ref> Henry had early success as coach, leading Wales to a 10-match winning streak; this included Wales' first victory over South Africa, a 29–19 win in the first match played at the Millennium Stadium.<ref name="CoachArchive"/> Henry was consequently nicknamed "the Great Redeemer" by the Welsh media and fans, a reference to the opening line of Cwm Rhondda, a popular song among Welsh rugby fans.<ref name="HenryDownfall"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Hosting the 1999 World Cup, Wales qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time since 1987, but lost 24–9 to eventual champions Australia.<ref name="Peatey115"/> A lack of success in the Five and Six Nations (Italy joined the tournament in 2000), and especially a number of heavy losses to Ireland, led to Henry's resignation in February 2002; his assistant Steve Hansen took over.<ref name="CoachArchive"/><ref name="HenryDownfall"/>

During Hansen's tenure, the WRU implemented a significant change in the structure of the game domestically. Regional teams were introduced as a tier above the traditional club-based structures in 2003, and the five (later four) regional sides became the top level of domestic professional rugby in the country.Template:Efn<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the 2003 World Cup, Wales scored four tries in their 53–37 pool stage loss to New Zealand,<ref name="Peatey323"/> before losing in the quarter-finals to the eventual tournament winners, England, despite outscoring them by three tries to one.<ref name="Peatey160"/>

Revival under Ruddock and coaching changes (2004–2007)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Coached by Mike Ruddock, Wales won their first Grand Slam since 1978 and their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005. A late long-range penalty from Gavin Henson gave them victory over England in Cardiff for the first time in 12 years,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and after victories over Italy, France and Scotland, they faced Ireland in front of a capacity crowd at the Millennium Stadium where Wales' 32–20 victory gave them their first Championship since 1994.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, they suffered a record home loss, 41–3 to New Zealand.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Ruddock resigned as head coach midway through the 2006 Six Nations,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> where Wales finished fifth, and Gareth Jenkins was eventually appointed as his replacement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jenkins led Wales through the 2007 World Cup, where they failed to advance beyond the pool stage after losing their final game 38–34 to Fiji, thanks to a Graham Dewes try.<ref name=Peatey186/> Jenkins subsequently lost his job,<ref name=Peatey188/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Warren Gatland, a New Zealander, was appointed as his successor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Gatland era (2008–2019)

File:Warren Gatland Wales coach at the Wales Grand Slam Celebration, Senedd 19 March 2012.png

Warren Gatland coached the team 2008–2019

Wales faced England at Twickenham for Gatland's inaugural match as coach and their first match of the 2008 Six Nations. They had not defeated England there since 1988, and went on to win 26–19. They won all their matches in the Championship, conceding only two tries in the process, to claim another Grand Slam.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, Wales defeated Australia 21–18 in Cardiff, but then started a six-year, 23-game winless streak against the southern hemisphere nations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

At the 2011 World Cup, Wales reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1987, but lost 9–8 to France after captain Sam Warburton was sent off.<ref name="2011semi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The two teams met again in March 2012, with Wales needing a win to claim their third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years, which they did with a 16–9 victory.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This was followed immediately by an eight-match losing streak that was eventually broken during the 2013 Six Nations,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> where Wales retained the Championship for the first time since 1979.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup at the expense of hosts England, before losing 23–19 to South Africa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales also achieved a fourth Grand Slam in 14 years and their first in seven years in the 2019 Six Nations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Wales reached the top spot in the men's World Rugby Rankings in August 2019, holding the position for two weeks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They went on to top their pool at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, winning all their pool matches for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1987,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and ultimately reached the semi-finals before they were knocked out by eventual champions South Africa;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales lost to New Zealand in the bronze final and finished fourth in the tournament.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Pivac era (2019–2022)

In July 2018, it was announced that then-Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac would succeed Gatland as Wales coach following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Pivac's first match in charge was a match against a Barbarians side coach by Gatland in November 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite winning Pivac's first full international in charge in the 2020 Six Nations against Italy, Wales only recorded two other wins all year, finishing fifth in both the Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup. 2021 saw highs and lows. Wales won their fourth Six Nations title of the last decade, though they fell short of winning the Grand Slam at the death of their final match against France in Paris.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They faced Argentina in a two-match test series, in which they drew the opening game and Wales lost in the second game 33–11. That autumn, Wales opened with losses to New Zealand and South Africa before beating Fiji and Australia.

Wales slumped to a fifth-place finish in the 2022 Six Nations Championship, their sole win coming at home against Scotland. In the final week of the tournament, Wales lost to Italy 22–21, their first ever home loss to the Italians.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

They then embarked on a tour to South Africa over the summer. Wales narrowly lost the first test, losing 32–29 after a late penalty from Springbok outside half Handre Pollard.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following week, Wales secured their first ever win on South African soil, winning 13–12 in Bloemfontein.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> South Africa won the final test, and secured a 2–1 series win.

Second Gatland spell and record losing run (2022–2025)

On 5 December 2022, Warren Gatland was reappointed as head coach, following a review of Wayne Pivac and his performance in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The contract saw Gatland appointed as head coach through to the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the potential to extend for an additional four years, through the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gatland's initial coaching team included Alex King as attack coach, Mike Forshaw as defence coach, Jonathan Humphreys as forwards coach and Neil Jenkins as skills coach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Jonathan Thomas was added as a contact area skills coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

They finished fifth in the 2023 Six Nations, only beating Italy, but saw a slight improvement at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, topping their pool unbeaten and recording their largest ever victory over Australia. Argentina knocked them out in the quarter-finals, scoring two late tries to win 29–17. However, Wales were whitewashed in the 2024 Six Nations, losing to Italy at home again.

In November 2024, they lost 24–19 to Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series. This was their tenth loss in a row, equalling a record set by head coach Steve Hansen from 2002 to 2003. It was also the first time Wales had ever lost to Fiji at the Millenium Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A week later, they lost 52–20 to Australia at the Millennium Stadium, a record 11th straight consecutive defeat.<ref name="losing record">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Throughout the 2025 Six Nations, they fell to 12th in the world rankings, below Six Nations hopefuls Georgia, following a second defeat to Italy in consecutive years and a first loss in Rome since the 2007 tournament. This was also their record 14th successive defeat in all competitions and an 8th consecutive defeat in Six Nations fixtures.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following this result, Warren Gatland's departure as head coach was confirmed on 11 February 2025.<ref name="Gatland Departure"/> He was replaced on an interim basis by Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt, who would take charge of the side for the remainder for the 2025 Six Nations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At home on Matchday 3, Wales took their first lead of the Tournament at half-time against Ireland. Despite this revival, Wales ended up losing their fifteenth match in a row (18–27). On 8 March, on Matchday 4, Scotland pushed the Welsh further down the rankings despite a late comeback where Wales scored four tries in a 35–29 defeat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales then ended the tournament with a home defeat by England, suffering their heaviest-ever defeat in the tournament and their heaviest-ever home defeat to their arch-rivals, who were aiming for the title (14–68). This setback, the 17th in a row in all competitions (the longest losing streak by a Six Nations team), confirmed a second straight wooden spoon for Wales.

Strip

Template:Sister project Wales play in red jerseys, white (or some times, black) shorts and red socks. For the 2015–16 season, the jersey design incorporated gold for the first time. The jerseys are embroidered with the WRU logo, which is based on the Prince of Wales's feathers. The original motto beneath the feathers was a German phrase, Ich dien, meaning I serve, but this has been replaced with large letters reading WRU.<ref name="NewFeathers">Template:Cite news</ref>

Wales's alternate strip as of 2023 is black with yellow accents, inspired by the Flag of Saint David<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> although there have been various different coloured strips in the past. Former change strips worn by Wales have used black, navy, white, yellow, grey & green as their predominant colours.<ref name="BlackStrip">Template:Cite news</ref> Wales previously wore black jerseys as part of celebrations for the WRU's 125th anniversary in 2005. The jersey was worn against Fiji and then Australia that year; the Australia match was the first time Wales had not played in their red jersey against one of their traditional rivals.<ref name="BlackStrip"/>

In 1992, the Welsh Rugby Union agreed a deal with Cotton Traders to produce the national team's kits.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They were replaced in 1996 by Reebok,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> whose contract with the Welsh Rugby Union was worth £1.3 million in 1999.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales received the first jersey sponsor in their history in 2000, when Redstone Telecoms agreed a deal worth £2 million.<ref name="new_kit_deal">Template:Cite news</ref> Redstone was replaced two years later by Reebok subsidiary Rockport, in a deal worth £1 million,<ref name="new_name">Template:Cite news</ref> followed by Brains Brewery in 2004,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in conjunction with a four-year extension to the Reebok deal.<ref name="wru_extends">Template:Cite news</ref> Due to French alcohol advertising regulations, the "Brains" name was replaced by "Brawn" for the 2005 Six Nations Championship match between France and Wales at the Stade de France,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and by "Brawn Again" for the corresponding match two years later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Brains deal was extended in June 2008 until September 2009, with "Brains SA" appearing on Wales home shirts and "SA Gold" appearing on the team's yellow change shirts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For the away match against France in February 2009, the "Brains SA" logo was replaced by the words "Try Essai"; "essai" is the French word for a try, but is also pronounced the same as "SA", meaning the branding could have been viewed as "an invitation to 'try' Wales' best loved beer brand".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2008, Under Armour replaced Reebok as Wales' kit manufacturer in a four-year deal worth £10 million.<ref name="wru_signs">Template:Cite news</ref> Welsh insurance company Admiral replaced Brains as the main shirt sponsors in 2010, signing a three-year contract.<ref name="admiral">Template:Cite news</ref> That deal was extended by two years in both in 2013 and 2015,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with the latter described as the WRU's "biggest shirt partnership deal in its history".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2017, Japanese motor company Isuzu replaced Admiral as the main sponsors of the Wales team's home shirts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Between 2017 & 2019 the sponsorship of the team's alternate shirt was taken on by Subaru as a result of both Subaru & Isuzu's UK imports being handled by IM Group.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2015, the WRU agreed a nine-year, £33 million extension to its contract with Under Armour,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> only for both parties to mutually terminate the deal four years early in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

A new, seven-year contract with Italian company Macron was agreed in September 2020, believed to be worth around £30 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2021 Cazoo replaced Isuzu as the shirt sponsor in a two-year deal, however Isuzu remained a partner of the WRU.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In June 2023, Vodafone replaced Cazoo as the front of shirt sponsor (although it had already been present on the women's team's shirts since 2022),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A month later, it was announced that comparison site Go.Compare would become the first back-of-shirt sponsor of the team.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The new Macron kits were launched toward the end of July (Just after the 2023 World cup shirts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>) at which point it was also announced that player names would return to the back of the shirts, having previously been present between 2005 & 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Period	Kit manufacturer	Front of shirt sponsor	Back of shirt Sponsor
1970s–1991	Umbro	No shirt sponsor	N/A
1991–1996	Cotton Traders
1997–2000	Reebok<ref name="wru_extends" />
2000–2002		Redstone Telecom<ref name="new_kit_deal" />
2002–2004		Rockport<ref name="new_name" />
2004–2008		Brains Brewery
2008–2010	Under Armour<ref name="wru_signs" />
2010–2017		Admiral<ref name="admiral" />
2017–2019		Isuzu<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> (home kit) Subaru (alternate kit)
2019-2020		Isuzu
2020–	Macron
2021–2023		Cazoo<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2023–		Vodafone	Go.Compare

Support

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Rugby union and Wales' national team hold an important place in Welsh culture and society. Sport historian John Bale has stated that "rugby is characteristically Welsh", and David Andrew said that "To the popular consciousness, rugby is as Welsh as coal mining, male voice choirs, How Green Was My Valley, Dylan Thomas, and Tom Jones".<ref>Andrews (1991), p. 336.</ref> Welsh rugby's first 'golden age' (1900–1911) coincided with the country's zenith during the 20th century,<ref>Andrews (1991), p. 337.</ref> and rugby was important in building Wales' modern identity.<ref>Morgan (2005), p. 434.</ref> There is a long tradition of Welsh supporters singing before and during matches. The choral tradition developed in Wales during the 19th century alongside the rise of nonconformity, and has extended to singing at rugby matches.<ref name="Howell">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Commonly sung songs include the hymn Cwm Rhondda,<ref name="Howell"/> Tom Jones' Delilah,<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> and Max Boyce's Hymns and Arias.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Home stadium

File:Principality Stadium May 3, 2016.jpg

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, where Wales play their home games

Wales' first home international was played in 1882 at St Helen's Ground in Swansea.<ref>Griffiths (1987), 4:3.</ref> In the 1880s and 1890s, home Welsh internationals were played at Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Llanelli.<ref>Smith (1980), pp.474–480</ref> Swansea continued to be used as an international venue until 1954, when Cardiff Arms Park became Wales' primary home venue.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Smith (1980), p. 114.</ref> Cardiff Arms Park first had a stand erected in 1881, and continued to expand its seating that decade.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 9.</ref> Crowds continued to grow and in 1902 in Wales' match against Scotland a world record 40,000 spectators paid to see the match.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 139.</ref> In 1911, the owners of the Arms Park, the Marquess of Bute's family,<ref>Smith (1980), p. 175.</ref> confirmed Wales' tenure and during the 1920s and 1930s, Wales gradually gained increasing control.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 219.</ref> A new stand was built at the park in the 1933–34 season, which increased the grounds' capacity to 56,000.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 284.</ref>

File:The National Stadium The Arms Park Cardiff.jpg

National Stadium, Cardiff, the Welsh national stadium prior to the construction of the Millennium Stadium

By 1958, the WRU had concluded that a new national ground was needed due to flooding that often affected Arms Park.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 371.</ref> After debate and disputes between the WRU and various other parties, including Cardiff RFC, it was decided in the 1960s that a new national stadium would be built with a new ground for the Cardiff club backing onto it.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 372.</ref> The National Stadium, as it was known, was officially opened in 1970.<ref>Smith (1980), p. 373.</ref>

Since 1999, Wales have played all their home matches at the 74,500-capacity Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, which is also Wales' national stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Millennium Stadium was first conceived in 1994, when a group redevelopment committee was set up. It was decided to replace the National Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park after a review found it was out of date; new legislation also required stadia to be all-seated.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Construction of the new stadium began in September 1997, and was completed by June 1999, in time for the Rugby World Cup. The construction, which cost the WRU £126 million, was funded by private investment, £46 million of public funds from the National Lottery, the sale of debentures to supporters (offering guaranteed tickets in exchange for an interest-free loan), and loans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While the new ground was being built, Wales used the old Wembley Stadium for their home matches<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> – a deal reciprocated during construction of the new Wembley, when FA Cup finals were held at the Millennium Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Record

Six Nations

Wales compete annually in the Six Nations Championship, which is played against five other European nations: England, France, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland. The Six Nations started as the Home Nations Championship in 1883, as a contest between the four component nations of the United Kingdom. Wales first won it in 1893, when they achieved a Triple Crown.<ref name="6NHistory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="SixNationsHist"/> Wales have won the tournament outright 28 times, and shared 12 other victories.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their longest wait between championships was 11 years (1994–2005). Wales first won a Grand Slam in 1908 – although France did not officially join the Five Nations until 1910 – and their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005.<ref name="6NHistory"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their most recent Grand Slam was won in 2019 with victory over Ireland on the final day of the Six Nations tournament. Their most recent Triple Crown was won in 2021 with victory over England in the third round of the Six Nations tournament. In 2024 Wales received the wooden spoon for the first time in 21 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

World Cup

File:Wales vs Australia 2011 RWC (5).jpg

A scrum between Wales and Australia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Wales have contested every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987.

The 1987 tournament was Wales' most successful; they won all three pool matches and their quarter-final, before losing to the All Blacks in the semi-finals. They then faced Australia in the third place play-off match, which they won 22–21.<ref name="Peatey246" />

In the next two tournaments in 1991 and 1995, Wales failed to progress beyond the pool stage, winning just one match in each tournament.<ref name="Peatey264">Peatey (2011), pp. 264–265.</ref><ref name="Peatey282">Peatey (2011), pp. 282–283.</ref> They also became the first co host nation to not make it out of the pool stage in 1991.

Both the 1999 and 2003 tournaments were more successful, with Wales qualifying for the quarter-finals both times. Wales hosted the event in 1999 and topped their pool only to lose to eventual winners Australia in the quarter-finals.<ref name="Peatey115">Peatey (2011), p. 115.</ref><ref>Peatey (2011), pp. 300–301.</ref>

In 2003, they finished second in their pool behind the All Blacks,<ref name="Peatey323">Peatey (2011), pp. 323–324.</ref> and faced England in the quarter-finals. They lost to England, the eventual champions, 28–17. Wales conceded 17 penalties, and their lack of discipline proved costly.<ref name="Peatey160">Peatey (2011), p. 160.</ref>

In the 2007 World Cup, Wales again failed to progress from the pool stage. After a loss to Australia, and two wins against Japan and Canada, they faced Fiji for a place in the quarter-finals.<ref name="Peatey186">Peatey (2011), pp. 186–187.</ref> The game started poorly for Wales who were behind 25–3 at half-time. They fought back to lead by three points with six minutes remaining, but Fiji then scored a try to win 38–34 and eliminated Wales from the tournament.<ref name="Peatey188">Peatey (2011), p. 188.</ref>

At the 2011 World Cup, Wales reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1987. Playing the semi-finals against France, Wales lost 9–8, in a game overshadowed by the 18th-minute sending off of Wales' captain Sam Warburton for a dangerous tackle against Vincent Clerc.<ref name="2011semi" />

At the 2015 World Cup Wales were in the same pool as Australia, England, Fiji and Uruguay. They finished second in the pool behind Australia and ahead of hosts England. South Africa defeated Wales in the quarter-finals.

In the 2019 World Cup Wales were in pool D with Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay. They won all their group matches to finish top of the pool. After defeating France in the quarter-finals, they lost to the eventual tournament winners South Africa in the semi-finals.

In the 2023 World Cup Wales were in pool C with Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal. They won all their group matches to finish top of the pool. Argentina defeated Wales in the quarter finals.

Overall

Template:World Rugby Rankings Template:See also When the World Rugby Rankings were introduced in October 2003, Wales were ranked 8th.Template:Efn They rose to 7th in June 2004, before falling back to 8th in November that year. Following a Grand Slam win in the 2005 Six Nations, they rose to a ranking position of 5th. They fell to 9th by June 2006, and, after rising back to 8th by September, fell to 10th after the 2007 World Cup. A second Six Nations' Grand Slam in 2008 propelled them to 6th in the rankings, but following losses to South Africa in the mid-year and end-of-year internationals Wales slipped to 7th. Wales climbed to 4th after a win over Scotland in their first match of the 2009 Six Nations. They slumped to 9th in 2010 but rose back to 4th after their fourth place in the 2011 World Cup.<ref name="rankings"/> Since then, Wales have ranked the majority of the time among the top six teams. They reached 2nd during the 2015 Rugby World Cup,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> before hitting top spot for the first time on 19 August 2019, after winning 15 of their last 17 games.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Wales have won 406 of their 802 Test matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="WRURecord">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their biggest Test defeat was a 96–13 loss to South Africa in 1998, and their largest victory was a 98–0 defeat of Japan in 2004. Their record for most tries in a match is 16, scored against Portugal in 1994 – they also scored 102 points in this match, more than in any other Test. Wales' record for consecutive Test wins is 14, and for consecutive losses is 17. The last of these was Wales' second worst defeat in history.<ref name="WRURecord"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Wales national XV at test level up until 15 March 2025.

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	PF	PA	+/−
Template:Ru	22	14	7	1	{{#expr:14/22*100 round 2}}%	573	487	+86
Template:Ru	49	14	34	1	{{#expr:14/49*100 round 2}}%	830	1,190	−360
Template:Noflag	10	4	6	0	40.00%	306	280	+26
Template:Ru	13	12	1	0	{{#expr:12/13*100 round 2}}%	528	219	+309
Template:Ru	143	61	70	12	{{#expr:61/143*100 round 2}}%	1,797	1,994	−197
Template:Ru	15	12	2	1	{{#expr:12/15*100 round 2}}%	447	235	+212
Template:Ru	105	51	51	3	{{#expr:51/105*100 round 2}}%	1,622	1,662	–40
Template:Ru	5	4	1	0	{{#expr:4/5*100 round 2}}%	129	52	+77
Template:Ru	136	70	59	7	{{#expr:70/136*100 round 2}}%	1,664	1,668	–4
Template:Ru	34	28	5	1	{{#expr:28/34*100 round 2}}%	1,126	546	+580
Template:Ru	10	9	1	0	90.00%	526	159	+367
Template:Ru	4	4	0	0	100.00%	171	69	+102
Template:Ru	37	3	34	0	{{#expr:3/37*100 round 2}}%	430	1,219	−789
Template:Noflag	1	1	0	0	100.00%	1G	0G	+1G
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	3	6	−3
File:Flag of rugby Pacific Islanders.svg Pacific Islanders	1	1	0	0	100.00%	38	20	+18
Template:Ru	2	2	0	0	100.00%	130	19	+111
Template:Ru	8	6	2	0	75.00%	342	96	+246
Template:Ru	10	6	4	0	60.00%	235	180	+55
Template:Ru	131	75	53	3	{{#expr:75/131*100 round 2}}%	1,840	1,470	+370
Template:Ru	43	7	35	1	{{#expr:7/43*100 round 2}}%	683	1,157	−474
Template:Ru	1	1	0	0	100.00%	54	0	+54
Template:Ru	9	9	0	0	100.00%	301	108	+193
Template:Ru	7	7	0	0	100.00%	305	86	+219
Template:Ru	2	2	0	0	100.00%	89	22	+67
Template:Ru	3	3	0	0	100.00%	126	38	+88
Total	802	406	366	30	{{#expr:406/802*100 round 2}}%	14,295	12,982	+1,313

Players

Current squad

Interim head coach Matt Sherratt named a 33-strong squad for the 2025 summer tour to Japan on 20 May 2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Head coach: Template:Flagicon Matt Sherratt (interim) Template:Nat rs start Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs player Template:Nat rs end

Notable players

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Eighteen Welsh internationals have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> One Welsh player, Shane Williams in 2008, has been awarded World Rugby Player of the Year (formerly known as the International Rugby Board Player of the Year).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Individual records

See List of Wales national rugby union team records; and List of Wales national rugby union players for a sortable list containing player caps and tries

Neil Jenkins was the first rugby player to surpass 1000 Test points. He holds several Welsh records, including the most points scored for Wales with 1049, the most successful penalty kicks for Wales with 248, and the Welsh record for most points in a single Test match with 30.<ref name="IntRecords">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The record for drop-goals for Wales is held by Jonathan Davies with 13.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Shane Williams is Wales' record try-scorer with 58 tries. Williams is also Wales' record try-scorer in Six Nations Championships with 22 and the Rugby World Cups with 10.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Colin Charvis' 22 tries is the all-time Welsh record for a forward, and was the world record for tries by a forward until 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Alun Wyn Jones is the nation's most capped player with 158 Welsh caps. Eight other players have earned 100 caps or more: Gethin Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas, Martyn Williams, George North, Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The record for most matches as captain is held by Alun Wyn Jones with 52.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The record for the most consecutive appearances is held by Gareth Edwards who played all 53 of his matches for Wales consecutively between 1967 and 1978.<ref name="IntRecords"/> Edwards is also Wales' youngest ever captain at the age of 20.<ref name="ThatTry"/>

The youngest player ever capped for Wales is Tom Prydie, who made his debut in Wales' 2010 Six Nations finale on 20 March 2010 against Italy at age Template:Age in years and days, beating the record set by Norman Biggs in 1888.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Prydie is also Wales' youngest try-scorer, scored against South Africa in June 2010, overtaking the record that Tom Pearson set on his debut in 1891.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Winger George North, aged 18 years 214 days, overtook Pearson's record as the youngest Wales player to score a try on debut in November 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Welsh Sports Hall of Fame

The following Welsh players have been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame: Template:Div col

• 1990 – Ken Jones
• 1991 – Cliff Jones, Cliff Morgan
• 1992 – Gerald Davies
• 1994 – J. P. R. Williams
• 1997 – Bleddyn Williams
• 1998 – Gareth Edwards, Lewis Jones
• 1999 – Carwyn James, Barry John
• 2000 – David Watkins
• 2001 – Mervyn Davies
• 2002 – Gwyn Nicholls
• 2003 – Jonathan Davies, Willie Davies, John Dawes
• 2005 – John Gwilliam
• 2007 – Arthur Gould, Phil Bennett
• 2008 – Billy Trew
• 2009 – J. J. Williams
• 2012 – Bryn Meredith
• 2013 – Clive Rowlands
• 2015 – Wilf Wooller
• 2017 – Graham Price
• 2019 – Steve Fenwick
• 2022 – Maurice Richards

Award winners

World Rugby Awards

The following Wales players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:<ref name="World Rugby Award winners">Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break

World Rugby Player of the Year

Year	Nominees	Winners
2008	Ryan Jones	Shane Williams
	Shane Williams
2013	Leigh Halfpenny	—
2015	Alun Wyn Jones
2019	Alun Wyn Jones (2)

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year

Year	Nominees	Winners
2021	Louis Rees-Zammit	—

World Rugby Dream Team of the Year

Year	Template:Abbr	Players
2021	1	Wyn Jones

Six Nations Player of the Championship

The following Wales players have been shortlisted for the Six Nations Player of the Championship since 2004:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Col-begin Template:Col-3

Six Nations Player of the Year (2004–08)

Year	Nominees	Winners
2004	Gareth Cooper	—
	Michael Owen
	Gareth Thomas
2005	Gavin Henson	Martyn Williams
	Stephen Jones
	Dwayne Peel
	Martyn Williams
	Shane Williams
2006	Duncan Jones	—
	Stephen Jones (2)
	Dwayne Peel (2)
2007	Gethin Jenkins
	Ryan Jones
	Dwayne Peel (3)
2008	Ryan Jones (2)	Shane Williams
	Mike Phillips
	Shane Williams

Six Nations Player of the Year (2009–16)

Year	Nominees	Winners
2009	Lee Byrne	—
2010	Shane Williams (2)
2011	James Hook
	Sam Warburton
2012	Alex Cuthbert	Dan Lydiate
	Dan Lydiate
	Mike Phillips (2)
	Sam Warburton (2)
2013	Dan Biggar	Leigh Halfpenny
	Leigh Halfpenny
	Adam Jones
	Mike Phillips (3)
2014	Sam Warburton (2)	—
2015	Dan Biggar (2)
	Alun Wyn Jones
2016	Gareth Davies
	George North

Six Nations Player of the Year (2017–24)

Year	Nominees	Winners
2017	Ken Owens	—
	Rhys Webb
2019	Josh Adams	Alun Wyn Jones
	Alun Wyn Jones (2)
	Hadleigh Parkes
	Liam Williams
2021	Taulupe Faletau	—
	Louis Rees-Zammit

Six Nations Team of the Championship

Year	Forwards		Backs		Total
	Template:Abbr	Players	Template:Abbr	Players
2021	1.	Wyn Jones	13.	George North	6
	2.	Ken Owens
	5.	Alun Wyn Jones	14.	Louis Rees-Zammit
	8.	Taulupe Faletau
2025	7.	Jac Morgan	—		1

Coaches

Following the unsuccessful tour to South Africa in 1964, the WRU set up a working party on coaching. The party recommended that Welsh clubs accept the principle of coaching. David Nash was appointed as the national team's first coach in 1967, but for the 1968 tour of Argentina, the WRU initially planned not to have a coach tour with the team. Following pressure from the Welsh clubs at the WRU's annual general meeting, the decision was reversed and Clive Rowlands was appointed as coach for the tour. The appointing of a coach for the team coincided with Wales' success in the Five Nations during the 1970s.<ref>Morgan & Fleming (2003), p. 46.</ref>

Coaching history

Wales' head coaches<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Name	Nationality	Years	Matches	Won	Drew	Lost	Win %
David Nash	Template:Flagcountry	1967	5	1	1	3	20
Clive Rowlands	Template:Flagcountry	1968–74	29	18	4	7	62
John Dawes	Template:Flagcountry	1974–79	24	18	0	6	75
John Lloyd	Template:Flagcountry	1980–82	14	6	0	8	43
John Bevan	Template:Flagcountry	1982–85	15	7	1	7	47
Tony Gray	Template:Flagcountry	1985–88	24	15	0	9	50
John Ryan	Template:Flagcountry	1988–90	9	2	0	7	22
Ron Waldron	Template:Flagcountry	1990–91	10	2	1	7	20
Alan Davies	Template:Flagcountry	1991–95	35	18	0	17	51
Alex Evans	Template:Flagcountry	1995 (caretaker coach)	4	1	0	3	25
Kevin Bowring	Template:Flagcountry	1995–98	29	15	0	14	52
Dennis John	Template:Flagcountry	1998 (caretaker coach)	2	1	0	1	50
Graham Henry	Template:Flagcountry	1998–2002	34	20	1	13	59
Lynn Howells	Template:Flagcountry	2001 (interim coach)	2	2	0	0	100
Steve Hansen	Template:Flagcountry	2002–04	29	10	0	19	35
Mike Ruddock	Template:Flagcountry	2004–06	20	13	0	7	65
Scott Johnson	Template:Flagcountry	2006 (interim coach)	3	0	1	2	0
Gareth Jenkins<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Flagcountry	2006–07	20	6	1	13	30
Nigel Davies	Template:Flagcountry	2007 (interim coach)	1	0	0	1	0
Warren Gatland<ref name="GatlandCoach">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Flagcountry	2007–2019	125	70	2	53	56
Robin McBryde<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Flagcountry	2009, 2013, 2017 (interim coach)	6	5	0	1	83
Rob Howley<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Flagcountry	2012–13, 2016–17 (interim coach)	20	10	0	10	50
Wayne Pivac	Template:Flagcountry	2019–2022	34	13	1	20	38
Warren Gatland<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Flagcountry	2022–2025	26	6	0	20	23
Matt Sherratt<ref name="Gatland Departure" />	Template:Flagcountry	2025 (interim coach)	3	0	0	3	0

Current coaching staff

Correct as of 17 February 2025<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Position	Name	Nationality
Head coach (interim)	Matt Sherratt	Template:Flag country
Defence coach	Mike Forshaw	Template:Flag country
Forwards coach	Jonathan Humphreys	Template:Flag country
Skills coach	Neil Jenkins	Template:Flag country
Scrum consultant	Adam Jones	Template:Flag country
Skills coach	T. Rhys Thomas	Template:Flag country
Head of physical performance	Huw Bennett	Template:Flag country
Head of performance analysis	Rhodri Bown	Template:Flag country
Team doctor	Geoff Davies	Template:Flag country
Team manager	Martyn Williams	Template:Flag country

See also

• Wales national rugby sevens team
• Welsh Rugby Players Association

Bibliography

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External links

• Template:Official website