By Matt Hardy
Wales are the last Grand Slam winning home nation in the Championship and begin at home against Ireland this weekend in the Six Nations. Here’s what you need to know.
Wales History
Wales hold the joint-record of the most Grand Slams in the Six Nations era – four – and have the second-most Triple Crowns – five.
The side are on a three-match losing run having fallen to England, France and Italy in their last three matches of the 2022 competition.
They begin at home to Ireland before travelling to Scotland. Wales host England in round three.
Stadium
Wales play their home matches at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The 73,931-capacity arena was completed to host the 1999 World Cup and is seen as one of the best rugby grounds in the world.
It has a retractable roof, which has often been at the centre of controversy given the away side decide if it is open or closed and its proximity to the centre of the Welsh capital makes it a splendid place to watch rugby.
Anthem
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau translates as Land of my Fathers.
It is performed at home with a military band and a Welsh male voice choir and is especially spectacular under a closed roof in Cardiff.
Captain and Coach
Warren Gatland has returned as Wales head coach after a couple of seasons down in New Zealand.
He comes into a Welsh side who are not firing and have a difficult Rugby World Cup pool in the autumn.
He has picked Ken ‘The Sheriff’ Owens as his captain. Despite the team’s last two captains being in the side – Justin Tipuric and Dan Biggar – Gatland has opted for the hooker.
Five Wales Facts
- Wales hold the record for the fewest number of tries – two in 2008 – conceded in a single Six Nations series.
- Leigh Halfpenny holds the record for the most penalties in a Six Nations series – 19 in 2013.
- Five separate Welsh players have won player of the championship, the last was Alun Wyn Jones in 2019.
- Wales have the joint most Grand Slam titles this century – four – but haven’t won the trophy since 2019.
- In 2020, Wales played a game in Llanelli because the Principality was being used as a Covid-19 hospital.
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