Versuchen GOLD - Frei

Time for Tandy to shuffle his pack if Wales have hope of avoiding whitewash

Western Mail

|

February 17, 2026

HERE has been very little to be positive about for Wales over the past fortnight following two heavy defeats in the opening two rounds of the Six Nations.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

Time for Tandy to shuffle his pack if Wales have hope of avoiding whitewash

Mason Grady

Things don't get much easier for Wales, who welcome a Scotland side who put in a sensational performance to down England at Murrayfield last weekend.

It remains to be seen whether Steve Tandy deems it necessary to make wholesale changes or just tinker with his side.

There are improvements that can be made and here is the side I'd like to see take the field at the Principality Stadium this Saturday.

Scotland have struggled at scrum time so this might be an area where Wales can attack them.

Smith isn’t as explosive a ball-carrier as Rhys Carre but is a better scrummager.

Lake was much better against France.

The line-out was significantly improved at the Principality Stadium on Sunday, while Lake also carried well.

He's having to carry a huge burden as Wales captain in this tournament but can be proud of how he is handling himself.

The one area where Scotland have been exposed over the past fortnight has been the scrum.

They were annihilated by Italy in Rome, while England held the ascendancy too.

Francis doesn't contribute that much around the park but is the best scrummaging tighthead in the squad.

One of Wales' better players on Sunday.

The Exeter Chiefs lock made 14 tackles, while he also claimed a turnover.

Jenkins is someone who leads from the front.

Adam Beard is another player who has been a tremendous servant for Wales but he did not have his best game in the defeat to France.

Indeed, it was probably his worst.

WEITERE GESCHICHTEN VON Western Mail

Western Mail

PM extols importance of 'standing side by side' with First Minister

THE Prime Minister has extolled the importance of the UK and Welsh governments working alongside each other during a visit to south Wales.

time to read

4 mins

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

Joel finally living up to billing as he steps out from brother's shadow

FOR years, people have been telling me that Joel Colwill would become a mainstay of this Cardiff City team.

time to read

4 mins

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

'Our rivers cannot afford another lost decade of buck-passing'

As we reported yesterday, charity River Action is taking legal action against National Resources Wales, claiming the watchdog has 'washed its hands' of river pollution after it approved plans for the expansion of three Welsh poultry farms. Here, River Action's head of legal, Emma Dearnaley, explains the move

time to read

4 mins

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Driver guilty of causing fatal smart-motorway crash

A VAN driver who crashed into the back of a broken-down car in the fast lane of a smart motorway has been convicted of causing the fatal collision.

time to read

1 min

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

No sign of breakthrough in Ukraine-Russia talks

THE latest US-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv over Russia's invasion of Ukraine have ended with no sign of a breakthrough, with both sides saying the talks were “difficult” as the war’s fourth anniversary approaches next week.

time to read

2 mins

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

Rape-accused employee ‘no longer in workplace’

UNIVERSITY Hospital of Wales employee being investigated over a rape allegation has been removed from the workplace.

time to read

2 mins

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Gatland tipped as contender to take over top job at Harlequins

WARREN GATLAND has been tipped as a shock contender to take over as the new director of rugby at English side Harlequins.

time to read

1 min

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

Strong bench is driving our fine run, says Cardiff boss

CARDIFF

time to read

2 mins

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Five EU states working on migrant deportation hubs outside of bloc

GREECE is working with four other EU countries to set up deportation centres in third countries, most likely in Africa, for migrants whose asylum applications are rejected, Greece's migration minister said.

time to read

1 min

February 19, 2026

Western Mail

Police officer wins payout over force's handling of his HIV diagnosis

A POLICE officer working for a force in Wales will receive more than £40,000 in compensation after he was discriminated against after revealing his HIV diagnosis.

time to read

4 mins

February 19, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size