Iestyn_thomas21

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12 Following
140 Posts
Rugby Writer. 
On here in case Twitter dies a slow and painful death, occasionally write some rugby opinions.

Wales ended their long losing run in the Guinness Six Nations with a four try bonus point win over Italy at the Principality Stadium.

My report from Cardiff below. #WALvITA

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2026/03/14/wales-31-17-italy-hosts-win-first-six-nations-game-since-2023/

Wales 31-17 Italy: Hosts win first Six Nations game since 2023

14.03.26 – Wales v Italy – Guinness Men’s Six Nations – Wales players celebrate after they power over to score a try | Credit Huw Evans Agency Wales ended their losing run i…

Openside Blog

Contestable kicking has been a main focus on the Guinness Six Nations so far, which France have led the way.

So, I thought I'd look into the importance of hoovering up any loose or spilt balls that are becoming common in test match rugby.

Any shares would be appreciated and thoughts more than welcome! #GuinnessM6N

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/24/why-have-the-scraps-become-so-important-in-test-rugby/

Why have ‘the scraps’ become so important in test rugby?

With the first three rounds of the Guinness Six Nations completed, one of the fascinating battles throughout the tournament has been the kicking game in the first nine matches.  There has been…

Openside Blog

A narrow, narrow defeat for Wales against Scotland in Cardiff as discipline woes creep into the final quarter to allow a Scottish comeback.

Report from Principality Stadium here. #WALvSCO #GuinnessM6N

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/21/scotlands-comeback-inflict-14th-consecutive-six-nations-defeat-for-wales/

Scotland’s comeback inflict 14th consecutive Six Nations defeat for Wales

21.02.26 – Wales v Scotland – Guinness Six Nations Championship – Josh Adams of Wales runs in to score a try | Credit: Huw Evans Agency Wales narrowly missed out on a first Guinne…

Openside Blog

France continue quest for Grand Slam with bonus point win over Wales

15.02.26 - Wales v France, 2026 Guinness Six Nations - Matthieu Jalibert of France races in to score try - Credit: Huw Evans Agency France continue their surge to a Guinness Six Nations title with an eight try bonus point win over Wales at the Principality Stadium. A hatrick for wing Theo Attissogbe was accompanied by scores from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie, Matthieu Jalibert,…

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/15/france-continue-quest-for-grand-slam-with-bonus-point-win-over-wales/

France continue quest for Grand Slam with bonus point win over Wales

15.02.26 – Wales v France, 2026 Guinness Six Nations – Matthieu Jalibert of France races in to score try – Credit: Huw Evans Agency France continue their surge to a Guinness Six N…

Openside Blog

Wales head coach Steve Tandy is hoping for a defence coach to be in place following the Guinness Six Nations.

Piece below after hearing from Tandy ahead of Wales vs France. #WALvFRA

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/tandy-hopes-for-defence-coach-ahead-of-the-nations-championship/

Tandy hopes for defence coach ahead of The Nations Championship

07.02.26 – England v Wales – Guinness Six Nations – Wales Head Coach Steve Tandy – Credit to Huw Evans Agency Wales head coach Steve Tandy is hoping that a defence coach wil…

Openside Blog

Uncertainty continues to fly around Welsh rugby at a pretty fast pace, yet it could all change over the coming weeks.

Here's an overview of what has happened, the constant changes of the WRU's decision and why an EGM might add further chaos.

Any shares appreciated! #WRU

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/uncertainty-looms-ahead-of-another-welsh-six-nations-campaign/

Uncertainty looms ahead of another Welsh Six Nations campaign

This time of year is normally meant to be working out permutations for the knockout stages for the Champions and Challenge Cup or potentially looking at any upcoming stars that are set to take flig…

Openside Blog

A grim day for Wales as the Springboks inflicte the worst home defeat for the national team, stealing the record from England who set it earlier in the year.

Report here. #WALvRSA

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/wales-end-autumn-campaign-with-record-defeat-to-south-africa/

Wales end Autumn campaign with record defeat to South Africa

Wales ended 2025 with a record 73-0 defeat to World Champions South Africa at the Principality Stadium. The scoreboard marked a grim afternoon for a deflated Steve Tandy’s side who were comfortably…

Openside Blog

Wales 26-52 New Zealand: All Blacks claim 35th consecutive win over Wales

Wales suffered their second Autumn defeat as New Zealand continued their dominance in this fixture with a seven try victory. Despite a hatrick from wing Tom Rogers and a late Louis Rees-Zammit score, a brace of tries for All Blacks wings Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece was accompanied by scores from Ruben Love, Tamaiti Williams and Rieko Ioane. Fly-half Damien McKenzie kicked eight kicks from eight…

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/22/wales-26-52-new-zealand-all-blacks-claim-35th-consecutive-win-over-wales/

Wales 26-52 New Zealand: All Blacks claim 35th consecutive win over Wales

Wales suffered their second Autumn defeat as New Zealand continued their dominance in this fixture with a seven try victory.  Despite a hatrick from wing Tom Rogers and a late Louis Rees-Zammi…

Openside Blog

✍️| Report from the Principality Stadium as Wales pinch their first competitive win in Cardiff in over three years.

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/wales-24-23-japan-late-jarrod-evans-penalty-results-in-steve-tandys-first-win-as-welsh-boss/

Wales 24-23 Japan: Late Jarrod Evans penalty results in Steve Tandy’s first win as Welsh boss.

Wales picked up their first competitive win at the Principality Stadium in over three years following a late Jarrod Evans penalty to beat Japan by 24-23. A no arms tackle resulted in a late chance …

Openside Blog

Wales 28-52 Argentina: Los Pumas coast to seven try victory

Wales kicked off the Steve Tandy era with a 31-14 defeat to Argentina at the Principality Stadium. First half tries from Pedro Delgado, Geronimo Priscantelli, Simon Benitez Cruz and Mateo Carrreras set Felipe Contepomi’s side on their way to their first victory against Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Before fly-half Prisciantelli picked up his second after scores from Mateo Carreras and Bautistia Delguy,…

https://opensideblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/wales-28-52-argentina-los-pumas-coast-to-seven-try-victory/

Wales 28-52 Argentina: Los Pumas coast to seven try victory

Wales kicked off the Steve Tandy era with a 31-14 defeat to Argentina at the Principality Stadium.  First half tries from Pedro Delgado, Geronimo Priscantelli, Simon Benitez Cruz and Mateo Car…

Openside Blog