Matthew Southcombe
@MattSouth7
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Dan Biggar (unprompted) in his press conference. "I will say that we've loved South Africa. It's been an absolute pleasure to come here. Everyone has treated us with warmth and I hope that you've enjoyed having us here. We've loved the country.". 🏴🤝🇿🇦.
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Nick Tompkins feeling the full force of Alun Wyn Jones' left shoulder. You know, the one he dislocated 17 days ago. 📷: Huw Evans Agency
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Offers his empty Cardiff flat to the NHS staff. Then volunteers for the NHS after getting the last flight home from South Africa. Jamie Roberts is a good bloke.
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Adam Jones' stand-up routine was in full flow at his homecoming press conference this lunch time! 😂. A breath of fresh air and a mountain of knowledge has now returned to the Welsh camp @ITVWales
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Luke Pearce - How good?. Best refereeing performance I've seen in a long time. Calmness, communication. Spot on.
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Dan Lydiate made 18 tackles tonight, eight more than the next best on the field according to the early stats. Most of those collisions were big South African men coming at speed as well. An absolutely monstrous performance from him.
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Alex Cuthbert - nine carries, 117 metres. A shining light and the only Welshman England haven't been able to contain.
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Hang on a sec, let me run this by you. Tries scored in this 6N. Scotland 4, Italy 5, Ireland 8, England 10, France 11. Wales 17!. That equals a Welsh 6N record with one game to go. 📸: Huw Evans Agency
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How will Dan Biggar celebrate leading Wales to a huge victory in his 100th Test match?. DB: "I'm taking the little one to watch Sing 2 tomorrow. That's my afternoon plan. Really rock and roll.".
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WRU should 100% cut the choir and the band during the anthem on Saturday and let the fans sing it out. FAW have done it at the CCS and it’s incredible. Imagine 74,000 at a sold out Principality 😱.
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Leigh Halfpenny wasn't named in the 23 for the England game. As such, he did extra fitness yesterday followed by leg weights and a watt bike session in the altitude chamber this morning. Played the full 80 this afternoon at short notice.
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Dylan Hartley very interesting on the Saracens scandal.
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Siya Kolisi admitted Wales got under SA's skin tonight. Dan Biggar doesn't know what the issue is. DB: “I don’t know what the referee expected us to do, just come here, lie down and give South Africa everything their own way?".
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Full video on link below but just wanted to share this clip. Dan Biggar says 'arigato' after every signature and picture. It's the little things.
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Penned this on Gatland before his final game in Cardiff. Still stand by it. 'An entire generation of fans don’t know how good they’ve had it.' #RWC2019 .
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Leigh Halfpenny has signed every autograph and taken every picture with fans by the team bus. Has gone to leave twice, been called back and duly obliged. All class.
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Wales fitness chief Paul Stridgeon, I shit you not, is in shorts and t-shirt. With wind chill, it's currently -7.
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Love him or hate him, rugby is going to miss Dan Biggar. Bangs 50:22 banana kick from almost his own 22 and gives it full beans to the crowd on the far side all the way down the pitch. Made for these occasions.
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Dewi Lake is just built for Test rugby. 📷: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency.
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Taine Basham Wales' top carrier (13), most metres made (83), most tackles (20). Big shift.
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Wales' defence stats are wild. 248 tackles made. Fiji's top tackler made 7. 15 Wales players made more than him, including second half replacements Costelow, Lewis, Reffell, Jenkins and Dee. Rowlands made 27 tackles without missing one.
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Referee has lost all control here. He's all over the place. Occasion has completely overwhelmed him.
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Dylan Hartley's analysis of the Dombrandt try was outstanding on BBC. Says WAL should never have thrown the ball into that lineout as ENG had already encroached significantly. Points out ENG did it all game and believes AWJ would have put a stop to it by alerting ref.
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Official line is Gatland’s departure was by mutual consent. But Tierney admitted Gatland called her to say it was in the best interests of Welsh rugby for him to leave. She has also said there was no pay off. Worth remembering WG could have dragged this out and got some 💰.
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On the way to the airport. Heard a few things about SA before travelling. I’ve found it to be a complicated but beautiful country. The energy of people who have been on hand in airports, taxis and hotels etc has been infectious. Would jump at the chance to come back 🇿🇦
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Dan Biggar on captaining Wales in Cardiff for the first time, as he earns his 100th Test cap. "My little boy is coming but I think he'll probably be on the iPad watching Paw Patrol. "I'd imagine his dad leading out Wales will come second." @WalesRugby.
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Leaving Liam Williams out of the side looked questionable earlier in the week, now it looks a huge mistake.
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Spoke to Gareth Anscombe in a quiet corner of the Free State Stadium last night. It's almost two years to the day since the surgery that saved his career. Says he's taken time to reflect on that this week. "That kick is a culmination of so many people's work.".
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BREAKING: Alun Wyn Jones is joining up with Wales this week 'to continue his rehabilitation'. @WalesRugby.
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Wales are on a day off today but Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Cory Hill and Robin McBryde went to visit a local junior school. They played games, gave demonstrations and answered questions for about an hour. It was hot and humid in the sports hall! #RWC2019
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Wales under-20s BEAT England 23-13 at CAP and scupper their Grand Slam in the process. England had averaged 34 points per game in this tournament and bullied teams. Nobody gave Wales' youngsters a chance. That is an utterly phenomenal result.
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BREAKING: 6N issue statement on SA reports. "Six Nations Rugby, comprising the six Unions and Federations and CVC, wish to confirm that they are not entertaining any discussion nor developing any plans to add or replace any participating Union.". That's that, then.
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George North will equal Stephen Jones' record as Wales' most-capped back with 104 on Saturday. Only AWJ (152) and Gethin Jenkins (129) will have more than him. North is 30 years of age.
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Warren Gatland found out about Louis Rees-Zammit’s decision an hour ago. The winger was approached on Sunday about a potential move to the NFL International Player Pathway Programme.
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20 years ago today - one of the greatest days in Welsh rugby history. The 2005 Grand Slam. Cardiff was a sea of red, we'll never see the like of it again. A special 10-minute feature with Mike Ruddock, Martyn Williams and Adam Jones now on ITVX. @ITVWales
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Now this lot know a thing or two. Spoke to Francois Pienaar, John Eales, Richie McCaw, John Smit and Bryan Habana about Alun Wyn Jones tonight. “He’s the best captain in the world”. “The game of rugby owes him a lot”.
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Cuthbert finished with 176 metres from 14 carries, according to the initial stats. That's so good it's laughable. Next best was Freddie Steward with 108 metres.
Alex Cuthbert - nine carries, 117 metres. A shining light and the only Welshman England haven't been able to contain.
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Warren Gatland was asked if it was typical of Dan Biggar to perform so well in the face of the criticism. This was his response.
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Wales not endearing themselves to referee Mathieu Raynal. During a break, Neil Jenkins comes on. NJ: "Blue high tackle?". MR: "Your job is to bring the water on.". NJ: "Your job is to referee the game.". Jenkins very close to being, well, sent off.
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The WRU will now face a tsunami of pressure to make changes. Wales have won 3 out of 11 this calendar year, home defeats to Italy and Georgia.
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Josh Adams was down clutching his shoulder moments ago. Got back into the defensive line. Opposite number Alex Wooton calls for the ball saying Adams is hurt. Adams (still clutching shoulder): "Come on then, lets have it.". Ball does not arrive.
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Ireland now collapsing their own mauls and getting penalties. Sensational.
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Funny what you pick up second time around. Lawes, Itoje and Isiekwe taking it in turns to heckle Dewi Lake as he waits for a lineout to form in the 78th minute. Lake found his target and Wales scored shortly after.
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“Hold on, it will be one hell of a ride. Hold on.”. George North’s message to that 18-year-old kid who scored two tries on his debut against South Africa. One hell of a ride it was. A key figure in a team that delivered remarkable success. 🏴 .
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Rhys Priestland's had to deal with a lot of nonsense in his career. So, yeah, he deserves this. 📷: Huw Evans Agency
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Porter drops the scrum, Peyper no interest. Beirne slipping up around Tompkins' head, Peyper no interest. This is going pretty much as expected but the man in the middle is having quite a day so far.
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Faf knocks on a quick tap but Mr Amashukeli just decides to call it back and give Boks the penalty anyway. Boks score. Interesting.
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History. They had no right to win that game, but history has just been made in Bloemfontein. Wayne Pivac's side become the first Welsh team to beat the Springboks on South African soil. Gareth Anscombe. Cajones.
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Critical moment. Run out of superlatives for Tipuric.
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Eddie Jones did NOT enjoy all the questions about George Ford in the post-match presser!
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We all know the impact Netflix has had on F1 and we'll no doubt see it with the PGA Tour when that doco comes out, given all the chaos unfolding there. It strikes me that World Rugby/RWC should be doing everything it possibly can to get Netflix interested in France 2023.
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At almost 1:00am on Saturday morning, a "gutted" Josh Adams emerged to give his views, bloodied nose and all. Words can be hard to find after defeats like that but he did a pretty admirable job here. Says this week in Rome is "huge".
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A back row of Sam Simmonds, Tom Curry and Josh Navidi? Strap in.
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Question to Gethin Jenkins at yesterday's presser. "Does seeing Dan Lydiate chopping players down and Tommy Reffell getting in over the ball remind you of the way Dan and Sam Warburton used to work together?". His response. "Dan and ME, you mean?" 😂. 📷: Huw Evans Agency
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Dan Biggar delivers his message to the young Welsh players that will take this team forward. He stopped our interview a few times to thank every Argentina player that walked past, which tells you a lot about the man, rather than the player @ITVWales .
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Not the first time Dan Biggar has done something like this. His on-field antics can rub people up the wrong way but, as a person, he’s all class.
Halfway through our interview Dan Biggar stopped to pay a beautiful tribute to the Youngs family. #LEIvNOR
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Wales scored four tries in five visits to Fiji’s 22 on Sunday. Purely anecdotal but I don’t recall seeing them that clinical in a long time. That, coupled with a RWC record amount of tackles. Now the dust has settled, those are two stats they can hang their hat on.
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Peter O’Mahony - 3 week ban. Zander Fagerson - 4 week ban (Six Nations over). This sport. 🤯🤯🤯.
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The inimitable Lyn Jones on criticism Biggar has faced. "F***ing bulls**t. He might not side-step six people and score under the sticks from 80 metres but the '70s aren’t here anymore. “Dan makes things happen. His error count is dramatically low.”.
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Also, where would Wales be without Jac Morgan?. His GPS data must be off the charts. Has to be a nailed on Lion at this stage.
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Nick Tompkins is becoming one of the stories of the tournament from a Welsh perspective. He's like a different player under Warren Gatland.
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Welsh players crowding around a tearful Neco Williams at full time. He looks devastated after leaving the game with what looked like a back injury.
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I liked Biggar's DG decision at the time and it ultimately won them the game. Strange that he is getting stick for it. Scotland's defence was unbelievable. Wales could have spent 10 minutes banging away at it, got nothing and FR is back on the field. Scores still level.
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Dmitri Arhip has just limped into the Vale Resort on crutches ahead of the players’ meeting with Welsh rugby bosses. He suffered an achilles injury on the weekend. Out for up to 12 months. Contract expires in 3. A sobering reminder of what’s at stake. @ITVWales.
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Six days after blowing a nine-point lead and the Springboks are STILL bleating about Nic Berry all while displaying a remarkable lack of self awareness. They're on the verge of embarrassing themselves now, regardless of tomorrow's result.
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So much is going to be written about Dan Biggar as he retires from Test rugby. He made no apologies for wearing his heart on his sleeve and gave everything whenever he wore red. He leaves a huge void and should be remembered as one of the greats.
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Taulupe Faletau was Wales' top tackler overall and top carrier in the pack. Hell of an effort across the 80 minutes given he's barely played in 7 months.
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Impact from Wales' bench noticeable today. Dewi Lake's throwing, under huge pressure, was top notch. Gareth Thomas defended superbly. Dillon Lewis with a vital 78th minute jackal. Jon Davies with two pivotal tackles in the closing stages.
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Sam Warburton and Jamie Roberts highlight the wider issue of the governance of the game in Wales leading to these defeats. WRU and regions have been butting heads over a new financial model for the best part of 12 months. Reap what you sow.
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Ellis Jenkins is fulfilling charity commitments in Cardiff tonight despite what happened on Saturday. Tells you everything you need to know about him.
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I don't want to keep going in on the referee here but Francis was out cold and did not move right next to the play. Game should have been stopped immediately. Only reason it did stop was because he gave another Bok penalty. Dangerous.
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Wales planned on singing Calon Lan at a welcome banquet last night. until local schoolchildren sung it better than they can! 😂. They went with Lawr Ar Lan Y Môr instead.
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This is how much Warren Gatland rates Adam Beard. The day Wales went to the 2019 RWC, AB required emergency surgery to have his appendix removed. WG kept him in the squad, flew him out when he was ready, spent a month getting him fit just to have him there for the knockouts.
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Dan Biggar has announced his retirement from Test rugby post-World Cup in his column for the Daily Mail. A man whose talents will only become apparent to some when they are no longer on display in a red shirt. A gritty, unflinching tactician. Leaves a huge void.
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If you're thinking about sliding into the mentions of an international rugby player to tell him he should have passed the ball (or worse), don't. Let's be better than that.
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I cannot emphasise this enough - WHAT A TACKLE from Leigh Halfpenny. That is outrageous.
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BREAKING: The Ospreys have confirmed that their new ground will be St Helen's from 2025/26 season. @ITVWales
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Some lovely stuff from Alun Wyn Jones last night. Full story:
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Like Dafydd Jenkins in the Six Nations, Dewi Lake has handled himself superbly in very difficult circumstances. Two young captains who have given everything and deserve better. @ITVWales
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Welsh rugby's a bit of a rollercoaster, init?. How gritty was that.
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BREAKING: Dan Lydiate returns to action for the Ospreys this weekend after over a year out with injury. On the bench for the trip to Leinster. @WalesRugby.
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I mean, as rugby weekends go, this isn't bad. Saturday. England v Australia.New Zealand v Ireland. Sunday. Wales v France.Japan v South Africa. #RWC2019.
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Taxi driver in Joburg: "I don't understand rugby but I love the physicality of it. You need to eat two whole chickens to play that game!". He gets it!.
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Delighted to have started in my new role as @ITVWales’ sports reporter last week. It’s a huge privilege to be taking on the position at an exciting time for Welsh sport. As always, reach out if there’s something you think we should be covering. DMs open.
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"You just want to say sorry.". Nick Tompkins' message to fans of Welsh rugby, including the thousands who travelled to Rome over the weekend. These players are really going through it at the moment. @ITVWales
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Wales came here after being embarrassed by Italy in their own backyard. They went toe to toe with the world champs over a cracking 3-Test series. A lot of pride back in the jersey over the last few weeks. Boks always likely to have too much but that was proper gusty tonight.
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EPCR have done the Ospreys and Scarlets dirty. Scarlets couldn't rearrange their fixture against Bristol last week. Ospreys forfeited their match less than 2 hours before other UK-Fra games were rescheduled. Behave.
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Don't buy this narrative that England are in a better position now. They've waltzed into the quarters without having to work for it. Australia, meanwhile, are battle-hardened after full-blooded Tests against Fiji and Wales #RWC2019.
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Things looking good on the injury front. - Jon Davies' scans came back clear. - Specialists happy with Biggar's condition. - North's ankle is okay. All 31 players expected in training next week #RWC2019.
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Any building blocks put in place in South Africa just crumbled, emphatically. As powderpuff as I’ve seen Wales in a long time. Huge questions to be asked less than a year out from a World Cup.
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A thought. Could the WRU put up Cardiff and Scarlets to quarantine at the Parkgate Hotel?. CAP could be locked down and reserved as a training venue for both teams. Would reduce considerable cost of quarantining 100 players & staff, and could save the Euro fixtures.
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Leigh Halfpenny is playing his best rugby since the 2013 Lions tour. Probed Brad Mooar on how the Scarlets are getting him purring with ball-in-hand again. Averaged more metres per carry than everyone except Gareth Davies last night.
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Sunday will be an emotional day for Elliot Dee. He's set to earn his 50th cap on Mother's Day. In 2016, his mum Lynn passed away following a short illness. "I’ve done a lot of stuff in my life that I would have liked for her to see.". Full piece:
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A piece on the genius of Warren Gatland ahead of his final game as Wales boss in Cardiff. A whole generation of Welsh rugby fans don’t know how good they’ve had it in the last 11 years.
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