A Welsh supporter, Rhodri Williams, has taken his passion for rugby to new lengths, literally running for every point lost by the Wales national team during the 2025 Six Nations tournament. Williams pledged to run one mile for every point Wales lost by, and after witnessing the team suffer significant defeats, he found himself running not just miles, but becoming quite the endurance athlete.
The roller coaster began when Wales faced France, suffering a devastating loss of 43-0, leading Williams to run 43 miles (69 km) as part of his challenge. "If Wales loses by ten points, I run ten miles, simple!" he previously explained when discussing his unusual pledge with BBC. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of his marathon-like challenge.
Following the crushing defeat to France, the Welsh team continued its struggles, losing by six points against Scotland, seven points against Italy, and nine points against Ireland. These losses meant even more running for Williams, who totaled 119 miles (191.5 km) run during the tournament. Each loss felt like another blow not just to the team but to his resolve as he tallied up each mile.
"I didn’t feel very well yesterday morning," Williams remarked on March 17, 2025, to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. "I would have liked to distribute the pain more evenly across the matches; I thought it would be more balanced." His commitment to running was admirable, but the process became ever more grueling.
Williams’s ordeal culminated with another heavy defeat at home against England, finishing 68-14, which added to his mile challenge and completed his significant running feat. Williams found himself reflecting on his performance, stating he was becoming increasingly aware of those miles as the matches progressed.
Despite the draining physical toll, Williams managed to raise over 2,000 pounds sterling (2,378 euros) for the mental health charity LooseHeadz, which focuses on the mental well-being of rugby players. While Wales continues to face challenges, including another wooden spoon finish in the tournament, the silver lining for Williams has been the impact of his fundraising effort.
Even with the continual losses, Williams has not deterred from his adventurous spirit. He is already contemplating another similar challenge for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup, set to be held from August 22 to September 27, 2025, but with some adjustments based on his previous experience. "I think I’ve learned my lesson," he joked, showing resilience through the difficult times.
Meanwhile, closer to home with the French rugby team, Thomas Ramos’s story shines as another highlight within recent rugby narratives. Ramos, who has become one of the foremost players for the French national team (XV de France) and the all-time leading scorer, reveals the complex pathways players can navigate within the sport.
Initially overlooked by coach Fabien Galthié and not being part of the starting lineup due to injuries, Ramos's perseverance has led him on an inspiring path. He struggled the first 2.5 years of Galthié’s tenure primarily being utilized as a training partner, playing only 19 minutes across five matches during the Grand Slam in 2022. What kept him going? His strong character and work ethic.
Fate turned when Melvyn Jaminet injured his ankle prior to the 2022 tour, opening the door for Ramos to step up as the No. 15 player for the national team. It was then, after scoring 450 points for France, he truly began to solidify his position and become one of their key players. Galthié himself noted, "It’s about their journeys; you have to understand how they come to be where they are. Ramos made sure to seize his opportunity and never looked back."
Looking forward, Ramos has his eyes set on the 2027 World Cup, and discussions are already underway about whether he can join the ranks of elite players who have reached the 1000-point milestone. He has now surpassed notable figures such as Frédéric Michalak, who believes Ramos is bound to score even more as he continues his rugby career.
While Wales faces their own struggles, including numerous consecutive losses and disappointing finishes, Rhodri Williams’ fundraising triumph amid adversity serves as inspiration, reflecting the community spirit within the rugby world. For Thomas Ramos, his ascent from being overlooked to becoming a team stalwart demonstrates the resilience and tenacity often required to thrive at the highest levels of sport. Both stories illuminate the diverse challenges and rewards faced by those who represent their countries on the rugby field.
