Welcome to the Conversation: Welsh Rugby, Media Narratives & the Stories We’re Not Telling

There’s a particular rhythm to Welsh rugby. It starts on muddy pitches behind working men’s clubs, in the shadow of rusted goalposts and half-sung hymns, and pulses all the way to the bright lights of Principality Stadium. But somewhere between those two extremes, something gets lost. Or worse—twisted.

This blog isn’t about scorelines. It’s about storylines.

I’ve played the game at grassroots level—bad weather, cold changing rooms, and the kind of camaraderie you don’t find in many places outside a rugby club. I’ve also spent the past season deep in the world of elite schoolboy rugby in England. I watched every match of one of the country’s top academies bar one and didn’t miss a minute of another London-based team’s U18s campaign. I’ve seen what gets noticed, what gets pushed, and—more importantly—what doesn’t.

And what strikes me is this: while Wales remains obsessed with its heroes of old, there’s a new generation of talent rising in the margins. But if you only listened to the mainstream coverage, you’d think the pathway from valleys to victory is still as linear and limited as ever. It isn’t. Not anymore.

The English system is changing, investing in narratives, packaging players for headlines before they’ve even left sixth form. Meanwhile, in Wales, we’re still asking the same questions about regional loyalty, national identity, and whether rugby is a sport or a culture war in disguise.

This blog will be a space to explore those tensions. I’ll draw from personal experience, honest observation, and a deep love for the game—from local clubhouses to professional academies. We’ll look at how the media frames young talent, how hype gets built (and sometimes broken), and why some stories never make the back pages, even when they should.

So if you care about the future of Welsh rugby—not just the on-field action but the off-field shaping of perception and opportunity—stick around. There’s a lot to talk about.