Wales will look to avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon in the 2026 Six Nations as Welsh rugby continues to reckon with their future.
Wales failed to win any matches in the last two editions of the competition and suffered a record home defeat last year.
The Welsh are likely to be pitted against Italy to avoid finishing bottom of the table for just the fourth time since 2000.
Wales’ poor record heading into the Six Nations
Wales have won just twice over the last 24 international fixtures since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with confidence at a historic low.
Those two wins came against Japan during a summer tour and in the autumn fixtures, the latter securing important seeding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Against European opposition Wales are winless across 11 matches, with just two victories from the last 24 Six Nations clashes.
France thumped the Welsh 43-0 to start the 2025 Six Nations followed by a 22-15 loss to Italy that triggered Warren Gatland to resign mid-competition.
Then Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt took over in the interim and led the squad to stronger performances against Ireland and Scotland yet still defeated 27-18 and 35-29.
The final weekend collapse against England 68-14 pushed Wales back-down, finishing with just a one-try bonus point and three points gained overall.
Into the summer, Wales drew a two-match series against Japan in sweltering Asian conditions, breaking a 19-match losing streak.
Steve Tandy was named as the new head coach after the series, leaving his role as defence coach in the Scotland setup.
Despite showing greater attacking threat, Argentina picked Wales apart 52-28, as did New Zealand 52-26.
The Springboks inflicted a record home-loss, scoring 11 tries to win 73-0 to end a horror 2025. The result proved to be Wales’ second-largest competitive defeat.
READ MORE: Six Nations news: Fixtures and formsheet as Scotland look to improve mid-table finish
Wales’ fixture list
Round 1: England vs Wales – Allianz Stadium, London; February 7 (16:40 GMT on ITV and S4C)
Round 2: Wales vs France – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; February 15 (15:10 GMT on BBC and S4C)
Round 3: Wales vs Scotland – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; February 21 (16:40 GMT on BBC and S4C)
Round 4: Ireland vs Wales – Aviva Stadium, Dublin; March 6 (20:10 GMT on ITV and S4C)
Round 5: Wales vs Italy – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; March 14 (16:40 GMT on BBC and S4C)
Key tournament match-ups for Wales
The campaign starts with two title contenders – England and France, who comfortably thumped Wales 68-14 and 43-0 respectively in the last tournament.
It has been ten years since Wales beat England at Twickenham, a famous 28-25 win during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, shockingly knocking out the English in the group stage.
The match against Scotland is likely Wales’ first opportunity to get off the mark, as the Scots pushed to be within six points in 2025 and one point in 2024.
Ireland in Dublin starts the second block of fixtures, a stiff challenge as Ireland may look to secure the title.
The most important fixture of the tournament comes last, hosting Italy in the capital, with the loser likely earning the wooden spoon.
Wales have won the ignominious award for their bottom two Six Nations results back-to-back, after a two-decade gap last awarded in 2003.
Italy defeated Wales for the first time in 15 years in 2022 for a famous 22-21 win.
Since then, Italy turned over Wales in consecutive meetings for the first time in 2024 and 2025.
The Welsh will look for a first win in six years at home over Gli Azzurri.
READ NEXT: Six Nations news: Italy look to secure third consecutive victorious tournament
Sarah Sharp 
Anna Ferraz