The minds of five of the six nations will be fixed beyond the coming 6N ding-dong to the autumn World Cup. Over the horizon in 2023 lies another target that may well prove to be just as challenging and rewarding: the WXV. A reminder that the nation gaining third position in the 6N earns the right to join to top tier of six teams. The side finishing fourth will languish in the second tier with no chance of promotion till the third year.
2022 sees major changes: a new title partner, TikTok, and a full programme re-established with the six nations allowed to open their gates to spectators again. New grounds have been included (Belfast, Edinburgh, Bayonne, Cork and Gloucester), so let’s hope they will attract new fans. With media coverage on the increase and the pandemic beginning to loosen its grip, there’s every chance of the biggest following the tournament has ever had.
Wales
Much Wales’ biggest plus is the presence of contracts, together with an administrative spring-clean that looks more wholesome than anything we have yet seen in Ireland or New Zealand. Lleucu George has become the latest recipient of a retainer contract, bringing the overall number of contracted players to 24, with more likely to come. These positives must give them their best chance of breaking a sequence of 6N losses since their 24-5 win over Ireland three years ago.
They have the advantage of three home games, all at the Arms Park. Teams that spread their favours around the land deny themselves familiarity with a single ground’s characteristics, though that hasn’t hindered France’s forward march. It’s high time the Arms Park was turned into the fortress it always used to be.
Should Wales have lost to the USA in their friendly training match at Llanelli? In the autumn they had a similar result against Canada in a full-scale match, losing their way in the second half.
Their simplest excuse is world rankings, USA 6th, Wales 11th. But they like the Eagles-Falcons had large numbers of AP 15s players in their ranks. It’s doubtful that Cunningham’s desire to see 32 players performing two weeks before the first round of the 6N was justified He introduced new young players alongside others returning to the fold after a break, most noticeably Sioned Harries. Did anyone in the squad have long enough on the field to prove her endurance as well as her quality? Team cohesion is hard to create when the pitch resembles an interchange station.
The last thing we needed to hear was that their admired captain, Siwan Lillicrap, had tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately she hopes to be fit and well come the weekend of the first round.
This is the full Welsh 6N squad of 37:
Siwan Lillicrap (captain, Bristol Bears), Abbie Fleming (Exeter Chiefs), Alex Callender (Worcester Warriors), Alisha Butchers (Bristol Bears), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Caitlin Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Cara Hope (Gloucester-Hartpury), Caryl Thomas (Worcester Warriors), Carys Phillips (Worcester Warriors), Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury),
Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears), Donna Rose (Saracens), Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Emma Hennessy* (Cheltenham Tigers), Emma Swords* (Harlequins), Ffion Lewis (Worcester Warriors), Gemma Rowland (Wasps), Gwen Crabb (Glouecster-Hartpury), Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears), Jenni Scoble* (Llandaff North), Kat Evans (Saracens), Kayleigh Powell (Bristol Bears), Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Liliana Podpadec* (Llandaff North), Lisa Neumann (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lowri Norkett* (Pontyclun), Manon Johnes (Bristol Bears), Natalia John (Bristol Bears), Niamh Terry (Exeter Chiefs), Robyn Wilkins (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sioned Harries (Worcester Warriors), Sisilia Tuipulotu* (Gloucester-Hartpury).
*uncapped
