Ben James

Ben James

26 articles

Wales’ 2016 Six Nations squad: The verdict
Articles

Wales’ 2016 Six Nations squad: The verdict

With just over two weeks until the start of the Six Nations, Wales have named the squad that they hope will lead them to a third consecutive post-Rugby World Cup Grand Slam. As is often the case when Warren Gatland names a Wales team, there were few surprises in the 37-strong squad picked for this […]

Farrell joins Munster in part-time role
Articles

Farrell joins Munster in part-time role

Former England assistant coach Andy Farrell has joined Munster in a temporary advisory role. The former dual-code international, who will take up a role in the Ireland set-up as defence coach after the Six Nations, will provide support to the Limerick outfit for four months. Farrell’s appointment comes following a shambolic defeat against Stade Francais […]

Scarlets 21-19 Connacht: Five things we learnt
News

Scarlets 21-19 Connacht: Five things we learnt

The Scarlets returned to the summit of the PRO12 with a dramatic victory over Connacht at Parc y Scarlets as the West Walians put their Christmas woes behind them. Despite being hindered by a lengthy injury list, Wayne Pivac’s men showed tremendous character to edge out a hardfought win having trailed with just a minute […]

Combined XV: Scarlets Vs Connacht
Articles

Combined XV: Scarlets Vs Connacht

League leaders Scarlets welcome third-placed Connacht to Llanelli on Sunday as they look to get their Pro12 title assault back on track following consecutive losses in the Welsh festive derbies. Having set the pace early on in the season, the West Walians have suffered an injury crisis in recent weeks with a number of first […]

Blues edge out rivals in thriller
Aviva Premiership

Blues edge out rivals in thriller

A late Alex Cuthbert try saw the Cardiff Blues edge out regional rivals Scarlets as the capital-based outfit won 29-27 in a thrilling encounter at the Cardiff Arms Park. Discipline was a concern for the West Walians as Wayne Pivac’s side had three men sent to the bin for indiscretions in a mistake-ridden match. Rhys […]

Ospreys edge out Scarlets in Boxing Day thriller
Match Reviews

Ospreys edge out Scarlets in Boxing Day thriller

The Ospreys survived a last-second Steven Shingler penalty miss to hold on to a 27-26 victory against local rivals Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets. Shingler could not bisect the posts with seconds remaining after Dan Lydiate had been penalised at a maul. Eli Walker’s try in the final quarter was enough to secure victory in […]

Four Findings: Scarlets 6-9 Glasgow Warriors
Articles

Four Findings: Scarlets 6-9 Glasgow Warriors

The Scarlets fell to their fourth loss in this season’s European Champions Cup as they went down 6-9 to Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets. The boot of Scotland international Finn Russell was enough to secure victory for the visitors and keep his side in contention for a quarter-final place. Meanwhile, the West Walians will […]

Preview: Glasgow Warriors vs Scarlets
Match Day

Preview: Glasgow Warriors vs Scarlets

The Scarlets will be without DTH van der Merwe and John Barclay as they look to get their European Champions Cup campaign back on track against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun. The former Warriors both miss out through injury, although the west Walians will be bolstered by the return of Wales prop Rhodri Jones in his […]

WRU withdraw dual contract offer for Williams
Pro14

WRU withdraw dual contract offer for Williams

The Welsh Rugby Union have withdrawn their offer of a contract offer to Scarlets centre Scott Williams after it emerged his club had become embroiled in a bidding war with regional rivals Ospreys. The Wales star had appeared likely to extend his deal with the union at Parc y Scarlets – having initially signed an […]

Preview: Scarlets vs Zebre
Match Day

Preview: Scarlets vs Zebre

The Scarlets switch their focus back to the Pro12 following a disappointing spell in Europe as they look to get back to winning ways against lowly Italian outfit Zebre. Having suffered losses against Northampton Saints and Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup, the region will be hoping to rediscover the form that saw them […]

Canada star lifts lid on World Cup flaws
News

Canada star lifts lid on World Cup flaws

For many, the 2015 Rugby World Cup will go down as the greatest ever held – but for Jamie Cudmore, it will always be a tournament tinged with frustration and regret. In his fourth-and-final appearance on the biggest stage in rugby, Cudmore and his Canada team-mates failed to win any of their four pool matches […]

Preview: Scarlets vs Racing 92
Match Day

Preview: Scarlets vs Racing 92

The Scarlets will look to get their European campaign back on track as they welcome Racing 92 to Parc y Scarlets. The West Walians went down 15-11 away to Northampton in the European Champions Cup to make qualifying to the knockout stages less likely. Coach Wayne Pivac has made three changes – hooker Ken Owens, […]