As Wales marks 20 years since their 2005 Grand Slam triumph, their rugby future looks uncertain. After back-to-back last-place Six Nations finishes, they now face a potential play-off against a rising Georgia for a spot in the 2026 tournament. With Georgia pushing for inclusion, the prospect of a relegation battle adds a new layer of drama to European rugby.
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00:00As Welsh rugby reflects on one of its darkest periods, it also has a chance to remember its
00:08former glory. This week marked the 20th anniversary of one of the brightest days in Wales's rugby
00:15history, the 2005 Grand Slam. On that day, 75,000 fans packed into what was the Millennium Stadium
00:23with many more in the city centre to witness history as Wales secured their first Grand
00:29Slam in 27 years. A new coach, a confident team and a standout performance from Gavin Henson
00:37made that day unforgettable. It was a day when Wales finishing bottom of the Six Nations just
00:43two years earlier became a rugby force once again. Fast forward to 2025 and Welsh rugby finds itself
00:52in a much darker place. The Six Nations recently ended with Wales finishing once again bottom
00:59for the second consecutive year. I just think they need support. As I said, they're a good
01:06group of lads. There's some really good players in the room as well. As you know, there's going
01:11to be some fresh appointments over the next couple of weeks and I think it's just about
01:18resetting and trying to move forward as quickly as possible. Now as Georgia's rugby program
01:24continues to rise, they have earned the right to challenge Wales for a spot in the 2026 Six Nations
01:31in a playoff. Richard Cockrell, Georgia's head coach, argues that if Wales continue to finish
01:37at the bottom of the Six Nations, it's only fair they face Georgia in a playoff for a place in the
01:44next tournament. Georgia, having won their eighth successive rugby European championship title,
01:51believe they are ready to play at Europe's highest level. With Wales currently ranked 12th in the
01:59world, just one place below Georgia, the idea of a playoff to determine who will compete in the Six
02:05Nations adds an intriguing element of jeopardy, one that fans would undoubtedly want to see.
02:14you