Wales getting ready for Six Nations

Wales to face Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Italy in RBS 6 Nations 2017

Wales will play two home matches - against England and Ireland, and three away matches – against Italy, Scotland and France in rugby’s greatest championship, the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Championship. In 2016 Wales had three wins, one draw and one loss ending the 2016 Six Nations Tournament as runners-up. Wales’ twenty-six-year-old Alex Cuthbert is back to top form in time for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations - according to his Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson. British & Irish Lion Cuthbert was Wales' two-try hero in their 2013 RBS 6 Nations win against England. Cuthbert missed out on Wales Summer Tour to New Zealand due to injury before playing in clashes against Australia and Japan last autumn but missed out against Argentina and South Africa. Cuthbert has two tries in his first two games for the Blues, including their recent European win against Bath. To date, Cuthbert has won 44 caps for his country.

"I was really pleased to see the cheer when he came off the pitch, which showed the supporters appreciated his contribution,” said Wilson. "He had a really good game, he scored a good try - it was really hard work to finish that one off. One thing you get with Alex, week-in-week-out, game-in-game-out, whether for Wales or Cardiff Blues is a work rate that is through the roof. Sometimes that goes unnoticed but he really does work hard and some of his accuracy was better."

The Blues enjoyed a 28-3 victory over Bath that also saw Sam Warburton return to start. Tries from Matthew Morgan, Cuthbert and Scott Andrews in the second-half secured a stunning win at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park to give the Blues a perfect three from three in Europe. "It's obviously really pleasing. We showed a maturity in attack to play a patient kicking game and play off loose kicks that came back. Our length and accuracy of our kicking game allowed us some good counter attacking opportunities,” added Wilson. "We have been guilty in the past of playing too much of a running game but what you saw from the likes of Matthew Morgan, Steve Shingler and Lloyd Williams was an educated kicking game. In those conditions you saw the likes of Sam Warburton and Josh Navidi forcing turnovers, forcing errors and we came alive off those errors. Sam Warburton's turnover in the 22 led to us counter-attacking and scoring up the other end eventually."

Danny Wilson, currently head coach at Blues, will join Matt Sherratt and tour head coach Robin McBryde to take Wales on their summer two-Test tour, while regular Wales coach Warren Gatland takes the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand. Wilson, a former Wales U20s coach was appointed at Blues in 2015. Wilson believes his experience of preparing the Wales National Team to go head to head with Tonga and Samoa will improve his coaching skills and Matt Sherratt’s as well. "It's a great opportunity and I think we will both come back as better coaches," said Wilson. "It will hopefully benefit Cardiff Blues as well. It was an honor to be asked. I'm not thinking about anything at the moment other than doing my job here at Cardiff Blues and at the end of the season I'll start thinking about the tour and the opportunity that presents."

Wilson said he took a while to decide to take the offer of the Wales summer tour. "It was more a discussion with my wife than anything else because it falls during our time off when we're away from Cardiff Blues, but it's a great opportunity for me," said Wilson. "We'll also be organizing pre-season so it'll be a busy time. But for me personally, with where I am with my career, it was a great opportunity I wanted to take with both hands, and also I hope I'll come back to Cardiff Blues better for the experience." Wales wing George North has been sidelined after suffering a head injury while playing for Northampton Saints against Leicester Tigers, however North has dismissed rumors of retiring from pro rugby.

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins has been ruled out of the upcoming RBS 6 Nations after undergoing surgery on his bicep, while North will be hoping for a place in Wales’s manager Rob Howley's side for Wales tournament opener against Italy in Rome on February 5, 2017. "Gethin's body is in absolute tatters. He should be in a home somewhere," said North. "As a young professional looking up to an older and more experienced professional, if I could have that level of professionalism towards the end of my career and still want to get out of bed in the morning and go again then that would be pretty amazing. Gethin is half-man, half-rehab. He does his extras and everything he needs to keep getting himself ready. If I can keep getting myself ready then I'll always keep doing it. If a player decided to pack the game in tomorrow, the question I ask is, who pays their mortgage? No one will, except that person."

Rugby fans can buy Rugby Six Nations tickets from the best selection of rugby union tickets at LiveRugbyTickets.co.uk for supporters of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy national rugby union teams. Every winter England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy go head-to-head in the Six Nations Championship. The tournament began more than a century ago and continues to be the most popular competition on the rugby calendar. The RBS 6 Nations competition consists of 15 matches held in February and March in which each of the six national teams plays against each other. Each team will play a game at their home ground. England won last year's Six Nations Tournament and currently holds the most trophies with 27 total. Wales is second with 26 wins.

The upcoming popular Six Nations Rugby Tournament is a highlight of the rugby season not to be missed by passionate rugby supporters as 2016 winners England, along with France, Scotland, Wales, Italy and 2015 winners Ireland go head to head for glory and the Six Nation trophy when the six-week rugby union championship kicks off on February 6, 2016. If you've yet to secure your tickets to one of the Six Nations fixtures, it is not too late. Buy authentic, legal Wales Six Nations rugby tickets now for all upcoming 2017 fixtures from the safe and secure LiveRugbyTickets.co.uk rugby union ticket marketplace. Support the Wales National Rugby Union Team as they compete with titan national teams from Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, and England in the upcoming Six Nations Rugby tournament in February – March 2017.

2017 Ireland Six Nations Rugby Tickets

Buy Wales rugby tickets for all fixtures @ LiveRugbyTickets.co.uk! Tickets are selling fast, so do not hesitate. Be there live, relax and enjoy the game!

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