Grand Slam 2012

In Cardiff, Wales beat France in the Six Nations Championships to

win the Grand Slams. It is the third time they have won the trophy

in eight seasons. The Grand Slam goes to Wales. And she can hear

just what it bins for these fans. A third Grand Slam in eight seasons.

History will surely remember this team as one of the greats of wash

sport. They have matched the achievement of the 1970s when they

got three Grand Slams in a decade. It has been a day of huge passion

You do not think it is going to happen to you. When you watch the

television and lift up the trophy on the home page and see somebody -

- everybody still in the stadium. Everybody behind you screaming

their heads off. One of the best feelings they have had in my life.

It was fantastic. Still in the after a glow of five victories, the

battered one on captain was still a major architect of the Grand Slam.

The player whose entire rugby life has been leading him here. I came

here when I was under 14 and I played for my high school in the

Welsh Cup final. Ever since then, it has been one of my favourite

places. You always dreamt of what it would be like in front of a full

house. The dream really is the Six Nations. That is the biggest event

in Welsh rugby. The is a romance to all this winning. But but deeper

than the prices, there is pain. We all have the dream. This is the

reality for the firm. We all want to the glow. They alone have felt

that the freeze. The trips to Poland and the new word in the

language of rugby. Cryotherapy. Since the journey started back in

June, every ridiculous recession they have done, when I have been

thrown up and all the sacrifices you have been. The Poland trips,

the hard-working New Zealand, the sacrifices you have made to be in

the squad because it was a really tough selection process. Just make

sure you do not let any of that go Good afternoon and welcome to all

Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Ireland, the home nation. The winner for you

is? Island. It I land are favourites. I think Ireland will

win today. Worse have won the last two

meetings. Uncontroversially, won unexpectedly, according to the

Irish. They felt their rugby was better than Wales's regional rugby.

The 2012 Six Nations gets underway for Wales.

Would Six Nations rugby is still favour the attacking side? The ball

carrier could still dance out of trouble. Better defences work more

ferocious than ever. Was there to be no escape from the reality of

the new wage? Contact was Caden. And only through contact could

there be points. -- contract was king.

There was a way. The race Brisland way. -- the Reece Priestland way.

That was a blind by the outside half. There was a problem. The

parcel was having an off day as a kicker. -- the passer. Ireland was

suddenly taking to the open game. Tommy Bowe. A try for Ireland. They

are undefeated. Half-time. Blair has had a little rethink. Leigh

Halfpenny now the kicker. Justin Tipuric on for the injured Sam

Warburton. Justin Tipuric at the line-out. And from there to new-age

perfection. George North. Into contact. Out-of-contract.

-- out of contact. George North. Jonathan Davies.

was, and then it was not. The Bradley Davies moment. I am sorry,

that is read. I cannot see. down to 14, they paid the price.

Tommy Bowe. Tommy Bowe win the corner. What a response from

Ireland. The a heavy price, or was it? Rhys Priestland. George North.

Big man, strong man, George North. It set up the first of an

agonisingly tight finishes. Stressful even for those who had

been here before. The game had yet to be one. Who would make the one

costly mistake? Stephen Ferris. And giving Leigh Halfpenny a chance to

put words into the lead. And everyone in Ireland's Fein to

respect for the kicker. The crowd do not believe it is a

penalty. Leigh Halfpenny. Advantage Wales. Game Wales.

match that has been dramatic from start to finish. Dramatic,

controversial, exciting. It has been a belter.

And very special for the first- choice kicker. I was so chuffed for

the -- Leigh Halfpenny. I have known him since I was 15. He blames

himself for the smallest things. I feel really sorry for him. The

French semi-final was devastating when he missed that kick. I think

that kick in the last minute would have put it to bed for him. He

practises so hard. He is one of the best professionals I know. He

really deserved that moment when we got the penalty. The man of the

match was George North. The teenage winger on his way to becoming the

youngest player to win 20 caps. The He can do things other players

cannot do. Crack is because he is genetically very different with his

physical capabilities. He is only 19. It seems ridiculous. He is

physically probably the most impressive guy in the squad and

still a teenager. One week later, round two against Scotland and the

first game of the championship at the Millennium Stadium. Wares at

home. -- wears at home. Brian the Organ at home to watch

the match. Filmed by his son and about to become an intermit it of

the Six Nations. -- internet hit. The starting line was intact

against the side that could not score. The Welsh pack had to be

changed. The captain failing a late fitness test. A big blow losing Sam

Warburton. Yes. Hear such an influential player. -- he is such

an influential player. For I must It looks like they have come to

play the Welsh. Leigh Halfpenny Alex Cuthbert. Nothing was

happening to break the deadlock. Nothing good, that is. It does not

look good for George North. He has not come up on to his feet yet.

Goodbye, George North. Scotland calling for more numbers on the far

side. Hello, Alex Cuthbert. I Alex Cuthbert is there. And Alex

Cuthbert gets his first The deadlock was broken. Wales in

charge, Scotland in trouble. They just needed a little flourish to

finish things off. Alex cuts but once again. Alex Cuthbert to Leigh

Halfpenny. That is very well done. Everything she came in pairs.

men off, they have got to go for the kill. The second a backhand

pass out of the tackle for the try. But Mike Phillips to Leigh

Halfpenny for the fullback's brace of tries. He will be pulling his

hair out. It did not in the action was over. This was the season of

drama to the last. Scotland's new fullback, Stuart hock. Stuart Hogg

is denied. Does he not good on? the first time we would be peering

at replays in the corner. Still, one more foot note. Does he have it

this time? The last try Wales would concede in the championship. And it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 80 seconds

Come on. Five minutes. That will be Have the ball goes dead. It also

went up into the air a lot, It also went up into the air a lot.

And the rule of the vote. This was tackling made into an art form. But

would do nothing give? Change of kick. That was a thumping tackle.

George North and Owen Farrell, combined age, 39. The points,

equally meagre. At the end of the first half, it is an enthralling

contest. England 9, Wales six. and some into the second half.

Scott Williams gets back. Purities. Leigh Halfpenny goes down. He is

going on it from Steve Walsh. Rhys Priestland. 10 minutes in the sin

bin. Three points on the board. Trouble for Wales. Happiness for

England. That was offside. Wales have the penalty. The -- this is

working well for Wales. Wares are full of momentum now. Chris Priest

land. -- Rhys Priestland. One chance last, another soon given.

There are eight minutes to go. He has been struck by Scott Williams.

He has got it. Scott Williams scores. And into orbit when those

in red, from London to Cardiff and Yes. Yes, yes, yes. But wait. We

are into overtime. Here we go. It looks as if he made it. They will

go upstairs. Did he play said? Not from that angle. Is that down?

is almost impossible to tell. have got a decision. No try.

game is over. The try has not been awarded to England. Wales have won

at Twickenham. They completed the treble ground. Three wins out of

Perhaps the outcome was also decided by how Wales managed their

ten minutes without Rhys Priestland. A masterclass in the protection of

possession. Perhaps it was also a master class in tackling. You can't

really coach that stuff. The hunger of the players to win, everybody

working so hard for each other. There could be a lapse in

concentration. Leigh Halfpenny just threw himself into that tackle. In

hindsight, that could have been a Grand Slam. The knife-edge on which

The tension of Twickenham slackened for the visitors of Italy. Not even

Sergio could upset Wales in Cardiff, could he? Italy were tough old nuts,

but at some stage, they would give, Patients was the order of the day

from captain Gethin Jenkins. The his own, to himself. Perform, or

else. Message received and understood. It could never be so

lovingly easy. Wales were put through another test of their new-

found ability to cope when down a man. Leigh Halfpenny receiving a

yellow card. Detest was passed again, with the help of some

outstanding displays. It was a sign of the variety and depth in the

squad. The game was made safe, and the captain of the day gave his

final order - I will tap, you go. Alex Cuthbert, love of showjumping,

on a development contract with the Blues. Nearly four faults. Instead,

five points, and named man of the match. Job done, said the body

language. Let's talk grand-slam, said the body language. And so we

did - talk Grand Slam, white Grand Slam, draw Grand Slam and sin Grand

Slam. We sang along to another internet hit. Even Hollywood star

David Hasselhoff did the Grand Slam. The boys tweeted Grand Slam.

Twitter is a great tool. We do appreciate how patriotic and how

much support we have got. They can see what we get up to a bit, and

the banter that goes on between the boys. It keeps us saying. If you

are in Cardiff for the Grand Slam showdown on Saturday, the latest

forecast is for sunshine and showers. It is now time for the

shipping forecast, issued by the Met Office on Saturday, the 17th

March. South-west, veering... woke up first thing in the morning,

and you did not even have time to think. In my hotel, it was quiet at

Breakfast. Saturday morning was the first time I felt nervous. It hit

I had never seen Cardiff so busy. Absolute sea of red everywhere,

which was brilliant. That is one of the best bits of the day, when you

screamed a troublesome team into shape, barked them to a Grand Slam.

looking down on the ground he once graced. This would be, for everyone,

this would be for Mervyn Davies. Bang on cue, as forecast, the rain

fell on Cardiff. Perfect for the party workers who had demanded that

the roof be opened. The Grand Slam might yet be a slippery prize to

seize. Wales began smoothly enough, pressing, probing, keeping France

at full stretch, a test of staying power. On such a day, who would

last? Who might not? For but suddenly, France were off the back

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 80 seconds

Halfpenny is going for gold. And Leigh Halfpenny extends the lead

back to 16-9. The man of the Match is Dan Lydiate. He has been

absolutely mad Deverson. -- magnificent. It is all over. Wales