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Contributors

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.

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Exclusive

Nicky Smith: 'I really didn’t think I was going to leave the Ospreys.'

The highly-rated Ospreys loosehead has left Wales after 12 years, with no regrets and relishing making an impression with Leiceste…

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
15 Aug 2024, 2:50
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Exclusive

Tomas Francis: ‘If I’m still good enough and Wales need me, I’ll be there’

Experienced tighthead has “never retired from Test rugby” but says his current focus is on his family and contract in France.

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
28 Aug 2024, 3:56
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Interview

Taine Basham: ‘I want the Wales No. 7 jersey back on my back’

Taine Basham faces a battle to reclaim a Wales berth but the Dragons flanker is up for the fight.

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
18 Sep 2024, 8:40
LONG READ
Interview

Scott Baldwin: 'Mindset is a powerful thing'

The Wales hooker has taken up his first head coach role with his home town club, Bridgend, and he likes to think he's learnt from …

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
28 Sep 2024, 16:54
LONG READ
Opinion

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.

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
17 Jan 2024, 13:43
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Analysis

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?

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
05 Jan 2024, 7:14
LONG READ
Opinion

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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
20 Dec 2023, 12:29
LONG READ
Analysis

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?

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
06 Dec 2023, 13:46
LONG READ
Opinion

'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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
24 Nov 2023, 15:09
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Opinion

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…

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
08 Nov 2023, 15:30
LONG READ
Opinion

Wales and Warren Gatland seek radical new project

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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
02 Nov 2023, 5:28
LONG READ
Opinion

'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…

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
19 Oct 2023, 11:00
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Opinion

'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…

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
13 Oct 2023, 9:10
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Opinion

'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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
03 Oct 2023, 8:01
LONG READ
Interview

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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
23 Sep 2023, 3:36
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Opinion

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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
15 Sep 2023, 6:39
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Interview

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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
09 Sep 2023, 4:22
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Interview

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…

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
29 Aug 2023, 12:57
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Exclusive

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.

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
16 Aug 2023, 14:47
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Exclusive

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

Mark Orders
Mark Orders
20 Jul 2023, 16:26
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