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Wales identifies areas for improvement amid ‘fires everywhere’

Following a significant defeat at the hands of England, Wales is looking to bounce back, and BBC Sport experts are examining the key areas that need improvement ahead of their match against France.

Wales' recent Test match record is dismal, with only two wins in their last 24 matches, both of which were against Japan.

Welsh rugby is currently facing numerous challenges that need to be addressed.

Identifying key areas for improvement for the Welsh men's national team ahead of their match against France is a daunting task, given the scope of their problems.

Wales have not won a Six Nations match in nearly three years, with their latest defeat being a 48-7 loss to England.

Wales must urgently address certain aspects of their game before hosting France, who are seeking to win the Grand Slam.

BBC Sport pundits have analyzed the key priorities for Wales head coach Steve Tandy and his team.

England recently inflicted a heavy defeat on Wales.

The most pressing concern for Wales is their defensive performance.

Under Steve Tandy, Wales have conceded 248 points and 34 tries in his first five games in charge.

These statistics are particularly alarming given Tandy's background as a defence coach for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions.

According to former Scotland captain John Barclay, Wales need to focus on fixing the easiest problems first, starting with their tackling and defensive mindset.

Barclay emphasized that defence is more about mindset than skill, and that Wales need to improve their intent when tackling and slowing down opponents.

He suggested that Wales' defence coach should prioritize addressing the lack of intent in the team's tackling.

Barclay advised Wales to focus on becoming a harder team to play against by improving their defence and reducing the number of easy wins they concede to opponents.

He noted that Wales' poor defensive performance against England was a prime example of this issue.

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England secured a convincing win over Wales.

Wales were expected to struggle against England, but their lack of discipline made their task even more difficult.

Winning at Twickenham is always challenging, especially for a team in crisis like Wales.

Wales' disciplinary issues on Saturday, including 16 penalties and four yellow cards, severely hindered their chances.

The 16 penalties conceded by Wales were their highest total in a Test match since 2009, while the four yellow cards were the joint most in a Six Nations match.

Two of the yellow cards, given to prop Nicky Smith and captain Dewi Lake, came within the first 18 minutes of the game.

Former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees stated that it is impossible to compete at the international level while conceding 11 penalties and two yellow cards within the first 20-25 minutes.

Rees noted that the resulting fatigue and poor body language from the Welsh players were inevitable consequences of their indiscipline.

He singled out players like Tomos Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Aaron Wainwright, who were visibly exhausted by the end of the game.

Rees attributed the players' fatigue to the team's lack of discipline, which is something they can control and must improve.

Looking ahead to the match against France, Rees emphasized that Wales must prioritize improving their discipline.

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The question of Wales' identity as a team remains uncertain.

Given Wales' poor recent form, only a few players can be confident of their places in the team to face France.

Former Wales back-rower Emyr Lewis believes that changes are needed, as some players have had ample opportunities but have not performed at the international level.

Lewis suggested bringing in bigger players, such as Owen Watkin, to strengthen the team's defence against France.

He also recommended introducing more physically imposing players to the back row to challenge the French pack.

Lewis advocated for selecting players who can provide a strong physical presence and give the French team a tougher challenge.

Former Wales centre Scott Williams also thinks changes are necessary, particularly in the centre position.

Williams acknowledged that Ben Thomas did not have a strong game and suggested that Eddie James could be a valuable asset at centre.

Williams noted that James, despite being a large and powerful player, had limited opportunities to carry the ball and make an impact.

He believes James should be played at centre, where he can utilize his size and strength to help Wales gain an advantage.

Williams proposed playing Eddie James at centre, potentially with Ben Thomas moving to a different position.

Richie Rees also agrees that Wales need to select bigger, more physically imposing players to strengthen their team.

The inclusion of Mason Grady and Rhys Carre in the starting lineup is crucial, according to the speaker, who emphasized their importance on a podcast.

If these players are not on the field, France may capitalize on the opportunity to take an early lead, making it challenging for Wales to mount a comeback, as seen in their match against England.

Wales had limited opportunities to showcase their attacking capabilities against England, as they spent a significant portion of the game defending against their opponents.

On the occasions when Wales did gain possession, their lineout struggled, and their backline failed to gel, hindering their ability to launch effective attacks.

Former Wales and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert expressed concerns about Wales' performance, stating that they lacked a clear identity and failed to execute basic skills effectively, as discussed on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

Cuthbert highlighted the lineout as a major issue, citing the team's inability to match their opponents physically, which led to errors and pressure on their skills.

Even when Wales managed to score, their attacks were often one-dimensional, slow, and lacking in creativity, which Cuthbert attributed to a lack of power and physical presence.

According to Cuthbert, Wales attack coach Matt Sherratt will focus on refining the team's attacking plays, but this will be difficult to achieve without parity in the physical battle, particularly in the initial collisions.

Cuthbert ranked Wales 11th in the world, suggesting that they are not significantly better than Italy, who are currently ranked 10th.

Wales has suffered three of their four heaviest Six Nations defeats in the past 13 months, a statistic that underscores their recent struggles.

Former England wing Chris Ashton believes that Wales' defeat at Twickenham exposed not only technical issues but also mental vulnerabilities.

Ashton noted that Wales struggled with fundamental aspects of the game, such as maintaining discipline, preventing penalties, and defending against England's attacks.

Ashton emphasized that these basic elements of the game require mental focus, which Wales lacked, allowing England to capitalize on easy scoring opportunities.

Ashton suggested that Wales' struggles with these basic aspects of the game are surprising, given that they are considered fundamental skills that should be taken for granted.

Ashton questioned whether Wales' coaching staff, particularly Steve Tandy, are spreading themselves too thin by trying to address multiple issues simultaneously, rather than focusing on specific areas, such as defense.

Ashton wondered if Tandy's broader responsibilities are detracting from his primary role as defense coach, an area where Wales is currently struggling.

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France began their Six Nations campaign with a convincing 36-14 victory over Ireland, demonstrating their attacking prowess with five tries.

Even if Wales can significantly improve their performance, they will still face a formidable challenge when France visits the Principality Stadium.

France's impressive win over Ireland, which featured a dominant attacking display, has set a high standard for their upcoming match against Wales.

Given France's ability to dismantle Ireland's defense, it is concerning to consider what they might achieve against Wales.

Former Wales wing Philippa Tuttiett expressed concern about Wales' upcoming match against France, stating that she is "very worried" about the outcome.

Tuttiett acknowledged that, as a rugby fan, she is excited to see France's brand of rugby, which has been elevated to a new level since their loss to South Africa in the autumn.

Tuttiett believes that France's defeat to South Africa served as a catalyst for their improvement, and their win over Ireland demonstrates their growth as a team.

The impressive manner in which France defeated Ireland has left Tuttiett concerned about Wales' prospects, and she believes that they should be fearful of the challenge that France poses.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years

Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

Peter Murrell looking off to his right while sitting in a room. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark coloured tie.
Peter Murrell is due to appear in court next Friday for a preliminary hearing

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.

It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.

The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.

During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.

Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

A police van and a police officer outside Murrell's home in April 2023.
Murrell was arrested in 2023 as part of a probe into the SNP's finances

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.

BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.

The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.

Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.

Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.

The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.

A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.

The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.

It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.

The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.

Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.

Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests

The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.

In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) show a victory sign in front of a banner with Tarique Rahman’s photo, as the results project BNP's victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain
Tarique Rahman has been out of the country for 17 years. He has promised democracy will be restored

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.

As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.

In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.

Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.

Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.

This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.

During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.

The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.

Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.

In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".

Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.

Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.

The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.

Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.

The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.

As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.

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