Six Nations Special Scrum V Sunday

round three. The Championship is wide open. And Wales are back on

track. Good evening and welcome to this Six

Nations special. What a weekend. Wales are back with a bang and the

championship is still up for grabs. Here to revel in that victory,

please welcome Gareth Edwards! Jonathan Davies! Matt Perry and

Gareth Thomas. Wellcome. Jonathan, it is back on.

Yes, brilliant. A convincing winner. Gareth, the last time Wales won

three in a row against the French were back in the 70s. What a way to

repeat that record. Tremendous. Everyone thought the season was dead

and buried in the aftermath after Dublin, but it was great to see the

team really respond in the best possible way. I thought it was great

rugby, thoroughly deserved. It was the manner in which we won at the

really excited most of the fans over the weekend. A huge contrast to 80

weeks ago. It was Graham -- very morose. -- to two weeks ago. Yes,

they have the ability at the moment to play a high speed game. To come

back from this, it just shows that both teams are on the up. The

tournament is nicely placed, teams on four points, so I think we are

set up for a good remainder. It is nicely poised. We you in the unusual

position like most bands yesterday of supporting England? I wanted to

see what England had to offer looking ahead. As brilliant as Wales

were, and I think the senior players stood out and really kind of nailed

a good victory, for me, going to Twickenham is very different. I was

just interested to see how the English players would cope with a

confident Ireland, and I think as much as we are on a great high at

the moment, it is going to be a different story next week. I think

that was the best game in the tournament so far. Both sides were

confident going in. No one really knew who were going to win. It was

that close. I thought that was the best game I've seen so far in the

tournament. A great match and an epic match of course on Friday

night. Let's relive it all again. We are off, Wales against France. A

huge sense of anticipation. Leigh Halfpenny calls for it.

Wales have the penalty. Here is the penalty offence. Three more to the

tally, what a start for Leigh Halfpenny. Now, here is a test. Toby

Faletau gets his hands to it. Quick delivery for Wales. Now the chase is

on! George North scores! Well, we will seek confirmation, but that

looks a perfectly good try. It's the captain, Pascal Pape eight.

-- Pape. Back on form. Tackled, It's the captain, Pascal Pape eight.

George North pounces on the loose ball. Will France get a hand to it?

Yoann Huget crosses for his third try of the championship. Is it a

try? Yes. Wales turn at the right way. Oh, penalty against them. --

turn it. It is quick enough for Wales... No,

it's slow down. The penalty advantage. They would not like the

advantage, they would like the three points.

The easiest three more points for Wales.

Faletau eventually comes away with it. You can hear the crowd erupt.

I think they have to be conscious of the clock as well. That's it,

penalty. Three points. This is the best way to wind down a clock.

Inspired by the singing, on the stroke of half-time, Leigh Halfpenny

puts Wales to a 20% six lead. -- a 20-6 lead.

France have butchered the tribe. -- the try.

Alain Rolland is going into his pocket. Gethin Jenkins and Nicolas

Mas one APs. Ten minutes in the bin. -- one apiece.

Another good tackle from Priestland. Danger from jewelled piece on there.

-- from Jules Plisson. That is a soft penalty. This could cost

France. Pace from Wales. Jamie Roberts

straight through. There is a player down in the French Franks. Wales

switch. Warburton for the line, and he is going to score! Reaches it,

has he made it? Does he play set and then roll it? -- place it. Sam

Warburton scores for Wales. We are near the touchline. Incomes

Warburton again and out goes the ball. A final roar, the final

whistle. A huge recovery and result for Wales. The players wearing red

celebrate, Welsh flags fly proudly at the millennium Centre, because

that is the final score. So, Wales get their pet -- campaign

firmly back on track. This is the verdict. It's been a tough two

weeks, I think everyone was excited to get back onto the field. We've

proved we are a good team. I was absolutely hanging for the last ten

minutes. I threw everything at it, I think that's the way everyone felt.

Just so desperate to defend and not concede points at the end.

Congratulations to them. We got our house in order, basically. You can't

rely on reputation alone. You know, the character of who you are, that's

really the most important thing. We completely changed our game plan for

tonight. We played differently, I think that was obvious for everyone

to see. Even though there was a lot think that was obvious for everyone

of criticism, people calling for wholesale changes, I'm a great

believer in sometimes giving players the chance to redeem themselves, and

I think that's definitely what happened this evening. We made a

change for a number of reasons, I thought the players really responded

over the last two weeks of training. The last Six Nations came down to a

points difference and obviously the points difference is on us I'd. The

boys in the last ten minutes were saying, we need the points

difference. Desperate not to concede a try at the end. The defence we

showed at the end was great to see. After they stick -- the stick they

took in Dublin, they deserve a pat on the back. Games to Joe -- to go.

Warren Gatland and company and a standard be delighted.

Wales got the two tries in clinical fashion and had an 80% kicking

success. The French missed two crucial kicks. The carries were more

for France and Wales had to make twice as many tackles than their

opposition. Wales only had 11 attacking phases of play and -- in

the French attacking phases of play and -- in

Wales' defence was back to its best. This is the gain line and Shaun

Edwards want them to get right up and the outside guys have to push up

to gain the meters. When you are close to the touchline it is more

important to use line speed to cut off the attack. The French only get

into the midfield before Jamie Roberts gets up there making as much

as 12 metres on the blitz defence. Sometimes it gets turnovers and

Wales are away with George North. Wales scored two tries from the

line-out but look at William Williams. He is involved in the

first phase and becomes the vital link in the second phase. George

North tells Halfpenny with he wants the ball. And he gets the reward. As

a coach you love to see this appetite from your players. Rhys

Webb's quickness of passing is refreshing. Look at the role of Luke

Charteris. He distract them and Jamie Roberts needs half a yard to

get across the gain lied. -- gain line. Then the strength and power of

cab -- Captain Sam Warburton. The territory and possession was in

France at's -- Franz's favour but the back row was led by Dan Lydiate

with 15 tackles. The three working together of the tale of the line-out

to nullify the French attack. Dan Lydiate's chopped tackles always

have Sam Warburton around and he gets the turnover or a penalty. Six

French attackers now have to be concerned and go into that ruck.

They did not give penalties away like out in Ireland. Dan Lydiate

rolling away and keeping his discipline. Wales have not conceded

a try against France in four matches. Was it a poor French team

or are Wales back to their defensive best? I don't think it's the best

French team. It is what you do with the ball when you've got it. That is

the difference. The Welsh defence was fantastic and the line speed is

what you want and you had leaders like Jamie Roberts and the back row.

I've seen the French couple of times this year and have no structure.

They have got to brilliant winners and a fullback but what happens is,

they don't go forward. So all the ball they have and all the off-loads

is all lateral. The defensive system worked so well and they didn't even

look like scoring. The only ball carrier they've got is Louis

Picamoles. You can't use the backs. The two winners were quiet. A very

disappointing French performance but a great defensive effort I Wales. It

almost seems churlish to focus on France after that record win for

Wales. Was it the fact that the Welsh defence was so on top? I

endorse everything Jonathan said. The amount of ball France had, I

think only emphasises how inadequate they were as an attacking force.

Last year in Paris, I thought I saw the worst performance by a French

side I've ever seen and I could not remember such an insipid

performance. There was one situation last year when they had three to one

and the guy threw a dummy two yards from the line. I don't think they've

got any confidence. A French side with confidence is the last team you

want to play against. What ever is happening, they don't seem to have a

pattern and a Philippe Saint-Andre. Although they had a lot of ball,

they were confused in what they were trying to which either. Nobody was

getting in the right position and they lack the players that can make

a difference. They have very few people who were creating anything.

Wales now are high on confidence. How are you explain that turnaround

in the space of a fortnight? Pressure really. It was last chance

saloon for a lot of players. The coaches were under massive pressure

and Warren Gatland showed faith in them by putting them back up there.

Wales outnumbered them in defence. The French players were looking at

and seeing more Welsh players. If they have more numbers than you, the

chances of you creating an overlap is slight. Wales deserve massive

credit. Adam Jones was outstanding as was Rhys Webb and Gethin Jenkins

and Sam Warburton. They performed and we won. Emotions they are from

display one week to elation the next in Wales. From the other side of the

bridge, what you make of this couldn't Welsh team? -- current

Welsh team? Wales have good spatial awareness. George North in midfield

has this ability to hit the running lines. If you think about the

individual talent, every player is as good as each other but it is your

ability in defence to communicate and have a good attitude and in

attack it is around set piece. You have to win your own scrum and

line-out and build and perform in the and the -- ambiguity of the

game. My grandfather was Welsh and it's just high tempo and spatial

awareness. Hitting good lines. When England came to Cardiff last year

they found that. It is a cultural thing in Wales. When Alun Wyn Jones

dropped out everybody thought, oh no. He has been outstanding. But the

front three was excellent and Jake Ball and Luke Charteris were

immense. Jake Ball is like the old-style second row. Luke Charteris

took over as the main line-out man. They varied the line-out very well.

They tied up the French back row. I thought the second rows were

fantastic. We talk about the tactics and what forwards and backs could

have done but I think one of the main differences in the two games

was the attitude. We had good fortune in the first five minutes.

Leigh Halfpenny kicked a penalty and George North scored a try and all of

a sudden the pressure goes away. The crowd got right behind them and the

French with 15 points down before they knew it. Wales were really on

the front foot and with that crowd behind them and the self belief

back, had -- had they started a bit different, who knows? Emotion plays

a big part in test rugby. The atmosphere in the stadium was

excellent. As a player, usage of but for a fan, you love it. -- you

switch off. International players don't get the credit for switching

their emotions off because it is difficult to still carry on with a

level head when it is emotional in the stadium. But the app was there

and the crowd made a massive difference -- the atmosphere and the

crowd. Warren Gatland made a threat that careers were on the line in the

week. Mike Phillips was chopped. Was that decision thrust aside --

justified? Mike Phillips is a great player. But I thought Rhys Webb took

his chance. Mike Phillips has not been at the top of his game. Wales

needed something different. They needed to change it and get the ball

away quicker. We have been a bit static over the last couple of

games. Rhys Webb depends on playing on the Frankfurt and the forwards

gave him the platform. -- on the front foot. He got the ball away

very swiftly. He gave the backs more time and I thought tactically he did

exactly what was required of a scrum half. That extra split-second is so

important in terms of giving Rhys Priestland a few extra seconds.

Especially if you've got Mathieu Bastareaud in the centre for France.

If you play on him a lot he is going to tire because he is a very heavy

and destructive player. If you make him work he is going to tire. Warren

Gatland said they changed their tactics and they did go up the

middle more. Sometimes Mike Phillips is a ninth forward. He is a

different kind of player, Rhys Webb. He may be a bit sharper and I

thought he was very good. Rugby is easy when you go forward. There is a

place and a time for Mike Phillips. Right now Rhys Webb has shown he is

giving us a bit of speed. You keep going forward and the game is easy.

He did his job and we kept going forward. No scrum half could have

played behind that pack out in Ireland, not even you, Gareth! It is

a long day in the office when you're going backwards. It was the Welsh

legends against the French legends yesterday. Some spectacular stuff

from you. It is for charity so I thought I would give it a go. This

is the first and only time I will ever do it. A lot of people are

trying to rekindle their love for the game. It was good fun. Jonathan

was supposed to be there but he is 753 as old now! The under 20s and

the Wales women were also playing against the French this weekend.

It has been a bitterly disappointing weekend though both sides but here

the Welsh women despite a spirited performance were blown away by an

unstoppable French team. A scrappy first half saw both sides give away

in ruck penalties but the first points came from fly half Sandrine

Agricole's boot. Wales showed plenty of endeavour but the visitors scored

for tries in the second half including this one by Sandrine

Agricole. Simple mistakes cost us the game and we have to learn from

it. The victory moves France to the top -- top of the table and the

battle for the championship is now wide open. This appointment for

Wales and there was a blow for the under 20s as well as knighting

Colwyn Bay when they faced France in a fight for the top spot. Despite

France monopoly thing -- monopolising territory and

possession the only score in the first half were two penalties. After

the interval France got the second penalty and in the 50th minute

Jean-Baptiste Singer dived over. Chances were few and far between for

Wales and when the Welsh winger got a yellow card in the second half,

France maintained their advantage. A late try by Ethan Lewis for Wales to

-- proved to be little more than a consolation. France are the ones who

continue their pursuit of a Grand Slam and Wales will try and stay in

the hunt for the championship if they beating them. -- if they beat

England. Now, another round-up. The Blues kicked off the action with two

tries in the first corner. But the young Blues side stuck to their

tries in the first corner. But the young Blues side stuck to theiv task

young Blues side stuck to their task manfully and scored three tries of

their own, including this one by the best player of the night. The home

side entertained Edinburgh. They were two home side tries. The first

was a gentle canter, the second was a real cracker. Aside strap -- a

side step that would have outboxed MI5. And a real thigh slapper of a

match at Rodney Parade this afternoon. Evans funded over for the

Dragons' first try. This delicious dummy meant the Gwent men were back

in it. Even then, they trailed by six points would tend to go until

this turned side tackling saw the Dragons scored their third try. This

kick completed a memorable double over Glasgow. But there was

disappointment for the Osprey today. Despite that defeat, the

Ospreys stay in play-off contention in fourth and the women from the

Dragons keeps the pressure on the Scarlet for possibly the final

European cup place. Congratulations to the Dragons, that

is Glasgow's first defeat away from home this year. There are highlights

on the website. More rugby in a moment, but first a quick reminder

that sport relief is on the way. Yes, the Sport Relief games are back

and you can choose to run, swim or cycle at hundreds of events across

Wales. Log onto our website to sign up. To set the place -- the place,

we challenged Martyn Williams to challenge -- to cycle a mile against

the stop watch. He dug deep for the final stretch. He only goes. The

Alderley gets, the bitter he used to be. He's got a great future behind

him! So, the target is set. If you think you've got what it takes to

beat him, have a go and text us your results.

Kudos to him. Gareth, I know they've been after you to try to beat him.

Do you think you could? He's been going downhill. He's been going

downhill for while! I'll do it now. Give me a bike. Back to the Six

Nations, and highlights of the England Island game in a few

moments. But we start with Italy against Scotland. --

England-Ireland. Scotland's ball again. Scott gives

it wide. Through the middle, Alex Dunbar for the corner for the tribe.

Scotland have it! -- the try! Just clicks it on, plenty of power.

Beautifully done and Scotland still with it. He must score. Dunbar

himself, for his second try. Advantage to Italy, they have a

penalty coming. The hit comes in. Try for Italy! My, how they hit

back. He is celebrating already! It is good!

One metre short. They must score. They can't get right. They've still

got a chance. And he scores that England. -- for England.

Quick ball, brilliant pass. A well worked Irish tribe. -- try. Great

pass. Up to the ten metre line. So here is the table after round

three. Wales in third but one of 14 is very much in contention. The

tournament is Ireland's Toulouse give a messy period points

difference. But as we know, they can be overcome. -- Ireland's to lose,

given their impressive points difference.

Take a look at the last four times England and Wales have met at

Twickenham. Two wins each. It is going to be tight. They are without

two Lions. Ireland really attacked England on their own ball yesterday.

They looked for penalties and really put them under pressure in the front

row. Wales really need to look to exploit that. David Wilson hasn't

had enough game guy in -- game time. Ben Morgan couldn't get England on

the front but because of their lack of scrummaging power. In the

midfield, England are very dangerous. They get more metres and

they score. Mike Brown has been one of the players of the tournament. He

is a lethal left foot step and crops up everywhere.

When he links up with his wing partner he is very dangerous. They

are very creative. Burrell off-loads. He has huge try scoring

potential boys team as well. Is Jonathan Davies going to be fit?

Does the scrummaging power of James coming? Gareth, I will ask you. Does

George stay at 13? Does John of? -- Jonathon come back? I think what

we lost with George was his ability to Rome, the freedom to play.

Against England, we dominated the French, we almost bullied them. I

don't think we would be that dominant against England. So there

is another option, and that is Hooky. Everybody is saying, what is

our plan B? We saw Mike Brown featured in that one. Outstanding

form so far, two consecutive man of the match awards. He is a man Wales

will have to shackle if there is any chance of winning at within. If you

think of the England and Ireland game it is like two stags against

each other. Ireland slightly more dominant in the scrum. But it opened

up a bit. What Brian does so well is get his hands on the ball. He is a

footballer. He doesn't have out and out pace but his ability to step and

get the ball behind the game line, and then having the vision to move

it, that is what makes him a top player. If you get him behind the

gain line, don't go right up to a player. England's back three has

really helped them together. I think Wales will be a completely different

challenge. England really need to sell up their front row. In broad

terms, Jonathan, you've covered all the games so far for the BBC. Who is

in better shape so far, Wales or England's I think? I think England.

They totally dominated the French. I think they play with tempo, Mike

Brown is kicking in all the time. But I do think we offer something

different than Ireland. They will attack the front row. I think we

will attack their scrum and wield the physicality behind to damage

them. I didn't think Ireland had that. It is a tough one, like

yesterday. Who is going to win? They are so close it is very difficult to

say who is going to win. I think Wales have a keep the field -- keep

the ball on the field policy. Steve think they will change that policy

and kind of contest the set piece? It will be interesting, I think

compared to last year's game, they could think, we will try to

outmuscle them again. But if you kick well you can still do it. If

you kick well, then you trap Mack Brown, catchy and when he goes down.

If you bounce back, you get in trouble. If you compete, you cannot

run back. So if it's a good kicking game, I can't see them changing.

They changed a little bit on Friday, they set it tightly. I think there

will try to do the same as they did. The gigging has an man-mac good, has

it? That is what concerns me. I think it will be down to composure.

-- the kicking. There was a fine line of when it all changed. If you

go back to two years ago at Twickenham, for most of the game,

England were completely dominant and they just butchered several chances.

OK, let's hope they do the same again. But from a Welsh perspective

we have to be on our toes. We have to take all the chances that come

our way. Don't kick badly, because that back three of England's really

are very, very potent. So, you know, there will be very little

opportunity for chances and very little opportunity for making

mistakes, because England certainly are a team.

I spoke to Stuart Lancaster before the tournament and he says he thinks

about that game against Wales all the time and what effect will that

game have on this crop of England players? I played against Wales in

Wembley in 1999 and missed a tackle on Scott Gibbs. We also lost up in

Scotland. It is not easy to win a Grand Slam. These teams are so

competitive and so close. The margins are so tight, it is going to

come down to that ability to unlock the space. I think the worst thing

Wales could do is kick the ball off the park because that will slow the

ball -- slow the game down. Wales keep the ball on the field, they

have good runners and they have the off-load game and I think that is

where they can taking land on. If they kick the ball off the park it

could play into women's hands because it will allow England's

2-goal interval all. -- England's hands. What about the Twickenham

factor? Twickenham as it tough place to go. England always play well at

home. The crowd were very good yesterday. They are confident

England side. You have got Danny Care and Owen Farrell is playing on

the edge a lot and he is confident player. Can he still be targeted? Of

course you can. Nobody wants to stand in front of George North or

Jamie Roberts. I don't know how good those two halfbacks are on the back

foot. If the front row gets on top, Wales will be the best side and they

can exploit that weakness and build on it. That is about always got time

for tonight. Thank you for watching and please thank our guests, Gareth

Edwards, Jonathan Davies, Gareth Thomas and Matt Perry. So huge you

awaits in a fortnight. We will leave you with the thoughts of a rugby

writer. Good night from all of us. What a way to light up a Friday

night. Who said Warren Gatland's boys were shot? Now it's on to

Twickenham and everything to play for. Will the past come back to

hoard England? Again. Will bodies be put on the line? Will England have a

score to settle? A big score. Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert outside

him. Justin Tipuric still going. A second try. Wales are storming to

the title. Beat England and we could, just could, do it again. Come

on boys.