16/03/2012 BBC Wales Today

Good evening and welcome to Wales Today. It's the eve of another

Grand Slam but the occasion is Former Wales captain Mervyn Davies

has died at the age of 65. Part of the 1970's golden era, his friends

and former team-mates pay tribute. The words "great" and "legends" are

used so freely these these days, he was iconic. He was one of the

greatest players I have played with. The side of today are aiming for a

third Grand Slam in eight years. Captain Sam Warburton says it's the

biggest game of his career. It is something you always want to take

part in. Every time I trained as a teenager it was to play in games

like this. It is a privilege to play here.

$WHITE Everyone wants to get their hands on the trophy and these

school kids are hoping it's Sam Warburton tomorrow.

We are in Ty Croes where there is a special atmosphere.

Also tonight - The Swansea-born Archbishop of Canterbury, with a

taste for Welsh tradition, steps Good evening and welcome to Wales

Today live from the Millennium Stadium. Tomorrow afternoon, Wales

will try to win the Grand Slam. Today the build up to the game has

been tinged with great sadness as we learned that former Wales

Captain Mervyn Davies had died. The 65-year-old, known as Merv the

Swerve, won two Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns during the

1970's. Today, tributes have been pouring in all day from former

teams-mates. At the Millennium Stadium plans are in place to

remember him tomorrow afternoon. Flags are at half mast, a minute's

silence will be held ahead of kick off and Wales will wear black

armbands in his honour. Today he's been called "an outstanding player

of his generation." Mervyn Davies, as captain of Wales as they won the

Grand Slam. Thomas Mervyn Davies, the man who

would be known as Merv the Swerve. Born in 1946 in Swansea you tended

the local school and developed a love of rugby. It was at 22 and the

move to London as the primary school teacher that things does

serious. He played for London Welsh. Within a year the number 8 had won

his first cap for Wales. He has done a lot of useful work. We were

in desperate for line-out forwards and the captain of the second team

said there was a boy in their team, a number 8, he is big but he could

win line-out ball. He is not very good though! He is worth it for

that so we put him in the first team. Lo and behold, six games

later he was playing for Wales. decided at a moustache would make

him appear more aggressive on the rugby field. He played 38 times for

his country. Mervyn Davies. It is beautifully laid back for Gareth

Edwards. Part of the 1970s Golden Era, he won two Grand Slams and

three Triple crowns and became captain in 1975. Throughout the

ages I think his name will go down as the best number 8. He was a

strong character, true, almost as a player. He was sincere, he was

without question very loyal and an honest player. He would be the

first name I would put down as a number 8 in that international 15.

As a British and Irish lie in, he toured New Zealand and South Africa.

-- lion. Merv the Swerve became a legend.

He was a great man. He was the greatest number 8 the world has

ever seen. You talk about icons in rugby, this man was a one. In

lovely, lovely man. The career ended suddenly. He collapsed and

suffered a brain haemorrhage. He survived, lucky to be alive but a

playing career was over. You are looking pretty well. I don't

remember the first few weeks but the operation itself was very

successful. Rugby fans voted 10 their greatest ever was captain and

Welsh No. 8. In 2001 the was inducted into the International

Rugby Hall of fame. The last game was the proudest owned -- moment of

my life in a Welsh should. We were playing France. It was of them at

for the championship. It is Mervyn Davies once again. He has played a

captain's role when you consider he got a knock early on in the match.

We wind mac the Grand Slam against France in Cardiff. He got in there

just before half-time. I am telling you had Mervyn Davies gone off we

would not have won a grand slam. He inspired us and put his body on the

line. It's a remarkable player. Mervyn Davies dies at the age of 65

after a long battle with cancer. Flags are flying at half-mast

outside the Millennium Stadium, Wales will wear black armbands

tomorrow. Players and fans pay respect to one of the best recruit

players Wales has produced. I am joined by a Peter Jackson and the

double Grand Slam winner, Graham Price who played under his

captaincy. What kind of man was see? He was always one of my Euros.

When I was in my late teens I always looked at to this great

Welsh side. A few of them had played for the Lions and had won

against the All Blacks. He stood out because he was a forward like

myself. He wasn't one of the glory boys. When I ended up playing

alongside him and as my captain, he would not ask you to do anything he

would not do. He was prepared to put his body on the line. You say

you did a like playing against him. He had this knack of diving over

the wreck and kill the ball and not get caught. It was great when he

was in our side that when he was playing against us, it got really

irritating! You saw him play many times, he was a great man, a great

ambassador for Wales. Great is an overworked word these days but he

was a great. It is a privilege to spoke -- speak about him. He was

wonderfully and conventional. He went to an unfashionable school in

Swansea so never had any engage recognition. He went to London to

qualify as a schoolteacher. His first game in English rugby was fog

all at Guildford. -- for all killed for it. He went to London Welsh and

within six months he was treading - - winning his first cap for Wales

again Scotland. He had a wonderful record. 20 games at the old Arms

Park. He only lost one and that was to the All Blacks in 1972. He was a

magnificent character and wonderfully self-deprecating. I

remembered Graham's first Grand Slam in 1976. We were in the

dressing room so and he was sat in the corner, puffing away at his

cigarette. How do you follow that? And he said, three ground Slams in

a row. So I told him it had never been done before. He said his team

had much more to achieve. Had he not had the brain haemorrhage three

weeks later he would have captained the Lions in New Zealand in 1977

and who would has said that Wales would not have had three Grand

Slams. You are playing in that game when he had the brain haemorrhage.

We did not know what had happened at the time. There were no action

replays, No screens. It wasn't until the Monday night on

television when we saw exactly what had happened. It was a tragic way

of ending his rugby career. will you remember him? I used to do

a line-out move and are also -- always used to come on appeal.

you? Rind about that time all the viewers will remember there were

some great number AIDS. -- to round about that time there were some

great number eights. The biggest UB's was paid to him, of all the

players in the 1971 series, Mervyn Davies had the biggest impact.

thanks for your memories. Mervyn Davies knew how to win and

there's a job to do tomorrow as Wales hunt a Grand Slam. Whether

Sam Warburton be lifting best tomorrow? The French fans have

arrived and they're determined to spoil the Welsh party. Ashleigh

Crowter reports. It is not quite supper on a -- in

Paris. The fans from France have been pouring into the capital all

they are looking forward to events at the Millennium Stadium and they

are great admirers of the Welsh team. They're very young. They are

very keen. It is good for the next World Cup. The Wales team is the

only team that can win something tomorrow. We will see what happens.

There has been a quiet confidence in the Wales camp all week. They

have a young side that is not scarred by years of disappointment.

Play without fear is the message from the coaches. They do carry one

substantial bit of emotional baggage. That World Cup semi-final

defeat to France. Sam Warburton was controversially sent off for rape

dangerous tackle. There is no bitterness soft -- -- 48 dangerous

tackle. There is no bitterness. have to erase the memories of the

World Cup. That has been a pure motivation from the players from

day one. It is going to be Martyn Williams! Of we have been here

before. Four years ago Wales B's France to win a Grand Slam at the

lead -- the Millennium Stadium. That would match the success of the

legendary team of the 1970s whose victory over France in 1978

completed their own grandson hat- trick. They have been treated like

folk heroes ever since. It is amazing we're talking about that

team from the 1970s who won three Grand Slams. Everyone knows Gareth,

Gerald and CPR. If wears a mask their achievements tomorrow it will

be that they went they can move on. -- if Wales matched their

achievements. He what comes after it you don't appreciate it until it

is all over. I it is hoped these boys can put them notch on the peg

and in years to come look back and enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed

it. Apter to have a 50,000 people are expected in the capital

yesterday and those who can't get into the stadium will watch the

match in pubs. Nurse will be frayed all over the country but this a

male voice choir are one group who need to keep it together. -- nerves

will be frayed. They have been chosen to sing the national anthems

before the game which has meant learning the words to the French

national anthem. They are casting my mind back to doing French in

school! It is quite tricky. If all goes to plan Sam Warburton should

get his hands on the Six Nations Trophy at around half past four

tomorrow. It is already here, sending the pupils into an early

Grand Slam friends the! By tomorrow they will not be the only ones. But

Much more on the build-up and the views from fans at Tycroes rugby

club still ahead. I'll see you in a few minutes.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has announced that he'll

step down at the end of the year. Doctor Williams, who's from the

Swansea Valley and is the former Archbishop of Wales, is to take a

senior position at Cambridge University. During his ten years in

office, he's guided the Anglican Communion through one of the most

difficult periods in its history as it faced divisions over issues of

sexuality and the ordination of women. Caroline Evans reports.

He is the first ever Welsh Archbishop of Canterbury. Stepping

down, he says it has not been easy. Here where he was elected

Archbishop of Wales in 1999, his successor says people will not

realise the extent of his contribution until he is gone.

is head and shoulders above anybody else. He is able to think deeply

about issues. He is a holy man, he is an approachable man. He does not

stand on ceremony. To have that combination in an Archbishop of

Canterbury is incredible. During his time in the Church in Wales he

was known for his liberal views on gay rights and on the role of women

in the church. His main achievement as head of the 77 million-strong

Anglican Communion will be the -- despite that deep divisions these

issues are causing he has avoided its collapse. He has not had an

easy ride. It is unfortunate he became at Bishop at a time when the

Communion was being driven apart by issues of human sexuality. What he

has tried to do is to halt the Church together. Whatever his own

personal views. A despite his international profile he has kept

his links with Wales. Already an honorary member of the National

Eisteddfod, in 2006 he was the first that could -- as Bishop a

Canterbury to visit the National Eisteddfod. -- Archbishop of

Canterbury. There is a moral politics in Wales are very near the

surface which is very precious. will leave at the end of December

in time to take up his new role in January. Throughout his time as

Archbishop of Canterbury he has always spent one weekend every year

in Wales. Perhaps not by accident next weekend he will be coming home.

Newly elected Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, says she expects to

see an independent Wales in her lifetime. Ms Wood said if people in

Scotland vote Yes in a referendum on independence in 2014, Wales will

need to decide where it wants to go. Meanwhile a Welsh Conservative MP

has criticised the Prime Minister's approach to Scottish devolution,

warning that the Welsh Tories should look at recent events in

Scotland with trepidation. Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb is warning

that "merely tolerating devolution" is no longer an option for the

Conservatives and that the Welsh Government should have some tax-

raising powers. What I am saying is we can't afford

either to see a situation arise where resentment in the England to

was the devolution settlement in Scotland will lead to a dangerous

break-up of the Union. It would be dangerous from the Welsh point of

view. It's been confirmed that the

Llandudno Smokery is closing with the loss of seven jobs. Liquidators

have been called in to the business which had been operating for more

than 25 years. The company had won awards for its produce and

customers included London's Selfridges store. Rising costs have

been blamed for the closure. Football - Swansea City could go up

to eighth in the Premier League tomorrow if they win away at Fulham.

In the Championship, Cardiff City entertain Burnley on Sunday.

Meanwhile Newport County are 90 minutes away from a Wembley final.

They take a 3-1 advantage into the second leg of their FA Trophy semi-

final at Wealdstone. For the club it has had a tough

time this year. The chairman of the Board and the players, and the

staff, they are working for success. We know that we need to stay in the

Blue Square Premier. This will be a fantastic achievement for the club.

That's it from me. Let's head back to the Millennium Stadium now and

rejoin Claire. Wales has fans in every corner of

the world. And one man in Hollywood will be getting up early to watch

the game. Actor and TV personality David Hasselhoff has become an avid

fan through his Welsh girlfriend, Hayley. I spoke to them via webcam

at home in LA and David told me just why he loves watching Wales.

knew a little bit about rugby because some members of my family

has played rugby in college and I love the game. I did not know the

rules. I find out that Haley was an avid fan. When I started dating her

I'd got fairly involved because it moves faster than American football.

It is an exciting game. She knows all the rules. I don't know all of

them! Chinos the different players. George North, Leigh Halfpenny and

Jamie Roberts. We were coming back from the World Cup in New Zealand

and I was absolutely gutted that France beat Wales in the semi-final.

This is time for their revenge. I think we are absolutely going to

win. Big game against England was the most amazing game I have never

seen. They played their back a hundred times. That last try, did

he? Did not? England was all some bets Wales did not give up. He is

really passionate. I was showing him some clips on YouTube. He is

like a Welsh fan. Believe, believe Commons see yourself winning this

victory. Just believe. What supporters!

So fans across the world are eagerly awaiting kick off but from

Los Angeles to Carmarthenshire the nerves are building, and there's a

French flavour at Tycroes rugby club tonight. Cemlyn Davies is

there. The atmosphere is building here.

Believe it or not, we are in a Welsh rugby club this evening! The

French array in town. More than 60 of them have made the trip across

the channel and all the way along the M4 motorway here. Have a quick

look at these pictures because just a little bit early on, the home

side took on eight French a rugby club. The final score was a Welsh

when 28th-17. Let's hope that is a sign of things to come. Why have

you invite a door these Frenchmen here? A reason why we have invited

them here is because there is a strong established relationship

between the two rugby clubs. We are celebrating our centenary as we

speak. What better way to invite friends to enter either celebration.

75 of them have come over from France. Tomorrow they will watch

the a fine -- the matter in Cardiff. That is because you have given them

your ticket! Thanks to the members of the Rugby Club here every single

visiting French man and Lady have got a ticket for tomorrow's game.

To tell us why does Matt what you think will happen tomorrow. There

is a big challenge for the last match for the French team. The

French must finish the tournament on a positive note. I think it will

be a beautiful match. Bit is the revenge after the semi-final of the

World Cup. Back to the stadium and the weather forecast now. Will the

weather played all this weekend? More details on that in just a

It shouldn't be too bad for the rugby but it's looking changeable

for the weekend after some fairly settled weather this week. It's

more a mix of sunshine and showers. The high pressure's cleared

eastwards so a more Atlantic influence to our weather fronts

move in, bringing rain on and off at times. The breeze picking up too.

This evening a band of rain across Cardigan Bay becomes lighter and

more showery as it moves southeastwards. We could still see

10-15 mm on high ground, some mist and hill fog with temperatures

holding up between six and eight Celsius. So a relatively mild night

to come. Tomorrow is mixed, plenty of cloud with some brighter spells

too and hit and miss showers or longer spells of rain, like April

showers. They're heaviest in the west with a risk of hail and

thunder. Not much wind to push them through, so drier in the east with

some sunshine helping temperatures into double figures along the

Marches. If you're in Cardiff for the Six Nations final the roof will

stay open. It looks partly cloudy with some bright spells but with a

risk of the odd shower. It's cooler on Saturday night into Sunday

morning. A few early showers but turning brighter from the north-

west through the day. Drier with some sunshine but a north-westerly

breeze making it feel fresh at 8 Celsius in Conwy and along the

north Wales coast. 10 or 11 in the south which are more typical

temperatures for mid March. So a changeable weekend. Looking

brighter for Mothering Sunday. Next week starts mild and breezy for a

time but from the middle of the week the weather looks like

settling down with high pressure So the scene is set. Tomorrow the

Millennium Stadium could become a theatre of dreams. On eve of the

match I'll leave you tonight with words from the Welsh Rugby Union's

first artist-in-residence, writer Owen Sheers. Fans will come

together here tomorrow not only to remember one of the best, Mervyn

Davies, but to hopefully celebrate a third Grand Slam in eight years.

Enjoy the game, goodnight!. There are moments in history when a

nation becomes a stadium. A country's is an speech tide turns

in one direction. When a population leans from sofas, pub stools in

village halls to watch. Or strain to listen in cars at the sides of

roads or in tractor cabs, stilled in silent fields. There are moments

when there are many, through the few, become one. A faithful but

demanding tribe fed by the past, hungry for a win but also more, for

beauty as well as strength. For art But romance, history, fervour and

the privilege of watchers only. For the men who must do, homers carry

this burden, fuelled by the colour of they Jersey, they can be no past

or future but only now. For them those 80 minutes will be in every

living present composed of the angle of their rents, or the

learned set piece which like a trigger will fire their line to

light the match. It will be the focus practice of for their bodies

have learned on the training pitch. The thousands of hours of solitary

pain, the sacrifice which has led them and them alone to this. A

nation watching. Sharing a pulse as the clock counts up to the final

whistle and then in an instant now becomes then. The moment, whichever

way it falls, cast for ever and there is to carry for the rest of