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Mark Orders Mark is a freelance journalist who has covered many sports across three decades, focusing mainly on rugby. He was named Welsh Sports Hall of Fame Sports Journalist of the Year in 2017 and Sports Journalist of the Year at the Welsh Media Awards in 2019. The first rugby result he looks for on a Saturday is Maesteg RFC’s and he follows Tottenham Hotspur at football, learning over the years to manage his expectations.

Opinion
Mark Orders

Glimmers of positivity but Welsh rugby not moving anywhere fast

The regions have battled manfully with ever reducing budgets but while Welsh rugby awaits another reboot other nations forge ahead

Analysis
Mark Orders

Where have all the Welsh wings gone?

With Louis Rees-Zammit heading for the NFL and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso plumping for the Red Rose, Wales' depth chart is stuck in the …

Opinion
Mark Orders

Gatland faces tricky questions after Wales' Six Nations trauma

The longstanding Welsh coach may see light at the end of the tunnel but the worry is it might be an onrushing train.

Opinion
Mark Orders

The cavalry will soon return but Wales need to end grim streak

Wales will soon be boosted by the return of some leading lights but the immediate aim is to end a losing home run.

Interview
Mark Orders

No doubting Tommy

Tommy Reffell has been Wales' standout player in this year's Six Nations but for those who know it, it comes as no surprise

Opinion
Mark Orders

Gatland game-plan must play to strengths of class of 2024

Wales look better suited to a game of pace and guile rather than the attritional style of Warren Gatland's first stint in charge.

Opinion
Mark Orders

Gatland forced to play a youthful hand as golden generation ebbs away

Wales have been forced to drum up their own hype with neutral observers writing them off before the tournament has started

Analysis
Mark Orders

Fledgling Ospreys offer hope with 'Gucci galacticos' long gone

They can no longer afford big-ticket imports but an emerging crop of talented youngsters gives Ospreys cause for optimism.

Opinion
Mark Orders

Rees-Zammit blow and injury crisis leave Wales with Himalayan task

Star winger's exit to NFL and a bloated injury list means Wales need to manage expectations.

Analysis
Mark Orders

Which young thrusters could make Wales' Six Nations squad?

How many fresh faces who have caught the eye this season can we expect to see picked by Warren Gatland?

Opinion
Mark Orders

Silver linings for Welsh teams but European struggles a sign of the times

There were consolations in defeat for the four regions but we shouldn't be surprised by their results in Europe

Analysis
Mark Orders

Will 'risk-taker' Gatland gamble on 'adventurer' Lloyd?

Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd has pace, guile and imagination, but will he be to Warren Gatland's taste for Wales?

Opinion
Mark Orders

'Life is tough': Patience the watchword for Welsh regions

Saddled with debt and stuck in the bottom six of the URC, hope is the only thing left for the Welsh regions to cling to

Opinion
Mark Orders

Wales turn on the style as the rebuild starts in earnest

A friendly, entertaining run out against the Barbarians will have solved a few more problems for Warren Gatland but questions rema…

Opinion
Mark Orders

Wales and Warren Gatland seek radical new project

Saturday's clash with the Barbarians will provide a glimpse of a new Welsh generation.

Opinion
Mark Orders

'Welsh rugby has much to do for the national team to prosper in Australia in 2027'

Warren Gatland exited the World Cup with the goodwill of the Welsh rugby public and will waste no time in preparing for the journe…

Opinion
Mark Orders

'Imagine what Rees-Zammit could do with more ball on Rugby World Cup stage'

The flying wing can obliterate defences, but Wales must do a better job of supplying him with opportunities to prosper in Marseill…

Opinion
Mark Orders

'Like a darts ace on a roll, Warren Gatland keeps finding the target with big calls'

Warren Gatland is nailing the gutsiest decisions as Wales' resurgence continues

Interview
Mark Orders

Dan Biggar prepares to relinquish Welsh jersey on a high

The experienced Welsh fly-half is in the dying embers of his Test career but he has lost none of his fire to succeed

Opinion
Mark Orders

Wales aiming to avoid sting from Portuguese men of war

The heroics against Fiji mean a much-changed side for Portugal where nothing less than a bonus-point win will do

Interview
Mark Orders

Is it time to acknowledge George North's career and give him some credit?

With 114 Wales caps, a Lions series win and four Six Nations titles to his name, George North doesn't get the plaudits he deserves

Interview
Mark Orders

The making of Jac Morgan

Wales' co-captain has been a stand-out player for his country and his former club and age-grade coach only expect him to get bette…

Exclusive
Mark Orders

Rugby World Cup Stories: How callow Wales came of age in 2011

Inexperienced and heavily criticised, Wales silenced their doubters in emphatic fashion in 2011.

Exclusive
Mark Orders

Stephen Jones: 'Difficult periods are when the best learning takes place.'

The widely-respected former Welsh pivot was caught up in a period of turbulence that saw him leave his coaching role early

Interview
Mark Orders

Who will replace Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny as Wales' first choice full-back?

The two men who have dominated the No 15 shirt over the last decade will leave a gaping hole in the Welsh defence

Interview
Mark Orders

Can Wales ever truly replace the Trebanos terror?

Justin Tipuric was one of the most skilful opensides to grace the game and the race is on to find his successor

Interview
Mark Orders

Sam Davies: 'All I can say is that Grenoble have given me reassurances.'

The former Ospreys and Dragons pivot is leaving the uncertainty of Wales for the foothills of the French Alps with Grenoble

Interview
Mark Orders

The human cost of Welsh rugby's austerity drive

It's been a season which has seen droves of Welsh players either retiring or leaving Wales, with some still searching for their ne…

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