Wales open Nations Championship with grit as Fiji threat is contained

Wales started their Nations Championship campaign with a 39-24 win over Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium. Steve Tandy's side scored six tries, with Jac Morgan crossing twice and Rhys Carre, Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Eddie James also adding tries.

The result looked clear-cut by the end, but the match was not straightforward. Fiji caused major problems in the first half, making far more metres than Wales with ball in hand and producing a high number of carries and offloads that forced the home side into repeated defensive work.

Tandy's post-match message centred on Wales' refusal to break under pressure. He pointed to their effort, scramble defence, set-piece platform and second-half management as key reasons they avoided being overrun by Fiji's attacking style.

Captain Dewi Lake also underlined the physical side of the performance, particularly when Wales had possession. The next tests should provide a sharper measure of that progress, with Wales due to face Argentina away in San Juan before travelling to Durban to play South Africa.