05/02/2012 Scrum V

It is big, it's bad and it's back. It's the Six Nations. Ireland

against Wales, the game of the weekend. Tries, tackles, tension

and triumph. Good evening, welcome to Scrum V Six Nations Special -

and what a start. Wales leave it late but clinch a thrilling win.

Lisa. Good evening. All the talk on Twitter is about what a cracking

game of rugby. And about that tackle. Later I will be getting the

thought of Ian Gough. And straight from the Welsh camp, Matthew Rees.

First, Warren Gatland. I think we can play better. The fact week came

here and won, we will take that result. We are only about 70% of

what we are capable of. We showed some character. It is pleasing. A

very good game of rugby. Joining us tonight, Mike Hall, Lyn Jones, Tom

Shanklin and a very warm welcome to former Ireland international

The Six Nations is here. Tom Shackell, what again? -- Tom

Shanklin. Yes. What a game. Top place to go. They thoroughly

deserved it. Ireland have done that so many times to Wales. It is nice

it was reversed. For Leigh Halfpenny to score, brilliant.

Butcher hands together for Bernard Jackman! Burnett, welcome. It takes

a very proud man to walk into the studio as an Irishman. I thought

you were going to walk into the studio tonight with the big beaming

smile. How are you feeling? little bit gutted. As an Irishman,

I have no regrets. Wales deserved to win. Ireland will look at their

own performance and find a lot of flaws. Beware Wales came back, the

mist at convergent. -- the way Wales came back they missed a

conversion. They showed great composure. They deserved to get a

score. I think Wales would have scored with get the penalty.

Ireland seemed to lack self-belief. Mike, we talk about the first game

and how crucial it is. When we lost to England last year you felt the

momentum disappear. This is the perfect start? He is. Wales are a

momentum team. When we start well, we play well. Who knows where we

can go from here? I do not want to get ahead of ourselves, but this

was a massive win. A few players coming back from injury. I thought

there were some wonderful performance. How George North could

not get man of the match, I don't know. So much to talk about. George

North, Bradley Davies. The one thing that have shone out today was

the remarkable spirit in that Wales' campaign? Yes, and belief.

People will perhaps have not experienced negative it before.

They are young. They have taken off from the World Cup. Bernard, you

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might want to look away now. Here George North! Last-ditch tackling.

Paul O'Connell was involved. Ryan Jones is over the line! Has he got

it down? Sam Warburton's arm goes up. They cannot give it. That was

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Davies! Sublime! They are going upstairs again. Look at that. They

have about five against two. That Ireland will be hoping for

something better than the penalty. Must be, Rory Best! Ireland have

got something better than the penalty! Tummy bulk made that. --

Tommy Bowe. A little bit like the Leigh Halfpenny is already walking

Davies! The line-out led to the try. George North, Jonathan Davies. It

is happening for Wales all of a his run. Wales give away the

it is going to be a penalty for Ireland. Exactly the same point as

the last cake, exactly the same result. -- kick. Ireland regained

incident of the ball. -- off the ball. Wales holding out. That is

their goal line. Back to Sexton. Kearney, Tommy Bowe! Grape variety

through. Week Irish tackling. George North! The power of North!

Nobody is claiming the tried really. George North likes it. Look at the

physicality of George North. That Bradley Davies dismissed for a

tackle off the ball. Ireland giving away a penalty. Stephen Ferris is

going to the bin. Wales will have the kick. Leigh Halfpenny! He

kicked the penalty and the clock is still running. Adam Jones on his

feet. Mike Phillips checks where Rhys priest and his. He hammers it

into touch. The whistle goes. Wales have a won in Ireland in a match

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

Pulsating. That is why we love the Six Nations. Lets hear from the

How pleased there you? Unbelievable. These games do not come around very

often. When we missed the conversion, I thought it was going

to be one of those days. Really pleased for Leigh Halfpenny. He is

still hanging in self all those points he missed against Frank --

France in the World Cup. The team sheet they have got on the back

line is hugely exciting. Maybe Leigh Halfpenny should have been

given kicking duties to start with. It is a hard decision to make some

pounds. You're trying to give up their confidence. Kicking for touch

and kicking for goal to give you confidence. It was great to see. We

made the decision during the game. Leigh Halfpenny did a great job for

us. The kick at the end was fantastic. 1 I saw we had the

penalty I was obviously very nervous. So relieved to see the

ball go through the posts. Thrilled did it. There was intent.

It possibly should have been a red card. Maybe that would have cost us

the game. You look back and reflect and think about Sam Warburton in

the World Cup, I don't think there was any intent. I don't think that

should have been a red card. Possibly a yellow. Maybe my view on

That is the verdict. These are the statistics with Brynmor Williams.

Wasn't that a pleasant afternoon. The spirit of the World Cup lives

on with self-belief, confidence. We can look at the statistics. We

would admit there is work to be done in the line-out. But territory

and possession, almost 60-40 in favour. Outstanding start. It is

about professionalism, focus, concentration. Wales have been

accused of not being clinical. They have started very clinical. We can

have started very clinical. We can look at key moments. The quality of

possession for almost the entire match was top notch. It made life

easy on Mike Phillips and Priestland 28 degree. They have to

do their jobs. It is about not panicking under pressure. Hence the

three tries I mentioned. It is important. Clearing so the backs

can run on to the ball. Man of the match was George North. He was

everywhere. Intelligence, Speed, everything you want to see in a

winger. Respect in the ball and making life easy for his colleagues.

Tackling Paul O'Connell, one of the biggest man in rugby. He keeps his

head and gets the bawl to Jonathan Davies to score the try. He's

caused himself against quality international players. He makes a

fool macro of them. How good will fool macro of them. How good will

fool macro of them. How good will he be when he grows up?

They have won the game. A phenomenal performance by Jonathan

Davies. He finished well. A lovely off load. International rugby is

about being able to off load. Getting the ball away in the

tackles is key. Did he mean to do it in that much traffic? Brilliant.

I think the tries were quality. is one thing to have brute force in

George North, but to have the subtle skill...? Brilliant. Such a

powerful man. He seems to bowl everyone he sees over. Rhys

Priestland, he will take stick for the kick he missed. But his passing

game was brilliant. Every pass. Right in front of the player. As a

back, you want the ball out there to run on to it. He brings the best

out of players. Fascinating to listen to Warren Gatland. Intrigued

by what he said. He will look at his decisions. It is difficult. You

understand what he says. Will he change goal-kicking? He wants to

bring Rhys Priestland on. It is cut-throats. You are right. He is

very good in what he has to say. He is right in his planning and his

thinking is correct in where he is going with this. We need to settle

on a goal kicker. As quickly as we can. We lost the World Cup by a

narrow margin. The difference in the teams was George North. He was

a continual car crash. If you came down to the wire, we could have

lost it. He has not been able to practise. This is where Warren

Gatland probably got it wrong. If he is not match-fit. He would

probably have been better with Leigh Halfpenny as the first choice.

Publicly, they were not talking about revenge. What they have

before kick-off? It is human nature to seek revenge. It is very hard to

beat the same teams consecutively. The third time in a row losing to

Wales. There would have been revenge. You have to implement your

game plan properly. This is an interview for the Lions job. He

talked about offence being important. -- off loads. Ireland,

trying to move back in the tackle. If you run square, you can get an

easier ball. The coaches in Wales had a big say in it. The players

have the confidence. The talking point was the Bradley Davies tackle.

It is inexcusable. He was fortunate to get away with a yellow card. It

was not professional. I am sure he will be disappointed tonight,

reflecting on that. The incident has come to an end. That is a

dangerous tackle. We had news from the Welsh management. He will be

cited for that. It is a straight red. I am confused about the tip

tackle. Sam Warburton's was not a red card. The one at the end

Ireland, we are lucky, to be honest. I thought war Britain's was

definitely read today. It was definitely a penalty -- Sam

Warburton. He hit the ground on his side. I do not see how that is a

good tackle. The other one, I do not know. It is a grey area. There

is a definite intent to pick the leg up. Was he doing that?

referee made a mistake? Not sending him off? There is a recommendation

coming in. The biggest worry is if he is sited, another second row

down. Sam Warburton, dead leg. Justin Tipuric coming in. We are

getting shorter on the second rows. Jones can play second. He was

outstanding today. Can I get your view? In it was a clear red. I will

always be in favour of if you tackle a guy with the ball, it is

how he falls. I agree in the World Cup it was a red. To make tackles

like that, you drive the guy backwards. The first was limits of.

It is coming from New Zealand. He said the referees will look after

this. They will need to be consistent. We can go to Lisa,.

How difficult is it too play with this inconsistency about tip

tackles. They seem to think it was a bed. It is the consistency of how

it is cited and how people do it. It was slightly different wording

again. I have gone through it. I got a three-game ban. Saracens. It

was similar. The inconsistency is right the way through it. The

directive's of there. It is a cloudy area. -- directives are

there. Tom has touched on the second row crisis. What about you?

I have still got my boots! Matt you, as a spectator and found I want to

know how the decision is made for the kicking to go to Leigh

Halfpenny. You are shouting for him to take them. His success rate at

goal has been outstanding. With him being out injured, probably not

been able to practise as much as he would like to. It paid off in the

end. Brilliant. We will hear more later on.

Time to round up the rest of the action. We start with the Under 20

Mike Ruddock's got the under 20 campaign off on Friday. Wales

whether to the Irish storm. Davies got a drop goal to put them ahead.

But then hosts responded with the only try of the match.

COMMENTATOR:, Hanrahan. It must be try time. Ireland get the first try.

They found their feet in the second half and took the lead again thanks

to a Lewis Williams penalty. Jackson had been firing wide. He

Jackson had been firing wide. He found range with this drop goal. It

was another drop goal, this time from Luke McGrath that saw victory

for the Irish. COMMENTATOR: That is an absolute

beauty! Wales is women had their Six

Nations opener but the freezing conditions were the only winner

with the match being abandoned at half-time. Ireland scored the only

try of the match. Good counter attacking skills. They managed a

penalty, the visitors. But with a dangerous, hardening pitch, the

referee called the game after 40 minutes. A date will be set for a

minutes. A date will be set for a minutes. A date will be set for a

replay. Next weekend should be a cracker in

Paris as France take on Ivan Ljubicic. They start the Philippe

Saint-Andre era with a win for Saint-Andre era with a win for

Italy. COMMENTATOR: Not afraid to go

through the phases, Italy. They are trying to build an attack and find

the mistake. WHISTLE BLOWS It is over and we are

all square. Waiting, perhaps in a drop goal

position. Not going for the drop goal. Aurelien Rougerie scores for

France. That was a slow build up. Poor defence by Italy. Aurelien

Rougerie scores the first try of the game.

France get a good drive on. They lost the line-out, now they have

won the scrum. Good hands. Good strength, good feet, good sidestep.

confusion in the Italian ranks. France might have a chance.

Aurelien Rougerie kits on. It will international rugby, he scores.

What a second half the centre has had. Wesley Fofana.

The message to the France team was to be more accurate, and the same

could be said to Scotland. Rick could be said to Scotland. Rick

could be said to Scotland. Rick O'Shea spent most of the weekend

there. On Christmas Day in Kolkata, a

rugby match took place between Englishman, Scott's man and

Irishman. -- Scotsman. The game was such a success it led to the

formation of the Kolkata Rugby Cup. And their donation of three cult --

Kolkata Cup to the English. And so there has been an annual fixture

between England and Scotland ever The build up to the game has been

spicy. Andy Robinson accused England of arrogance. And then an

administrative error that led to the printing of T-shirts like this.

There is no love lost here. It is fair to say we bring you close to

the action. We have Andy Robinson outside. Jonathan this side. It is

like the sunk by a stealers wheel. The first Cup was a 3-3 draw. Who

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level the scores. Not the most coming if they wanted. -- want it.

There might have been a couple of pairs of hands on that ball. No try.

Couldn't quite get the pass away. from Farrell is good and he is

belongs to England! Stuart Lancaster or begins his regime with

My heart goes out to Andy Robinson. A great start for the new England

era. Not a great performance. You just feel that Scotland threw it

away. How disappointed? Hugely. Absolutely gutted. Scotland had so

many chances. Clear cut chances. Couldn't score. That has been a

problem for years. England not a great side. They didn't play that

well. The only try they look like scoring was the charge down. Very

depressing. Positives from the England. Review? Obviously the

when? I think that is pretty much it. No, I am being harsh. Farrell

was good in defence. Hodgson coming back did a very good job. An a

experienced team it dug deep, on the in and got the win. -- hung on

in there. Scotland should have won that game today. They would be

going to the Millennium Stadium full of components. Now their

confidence is shot. As the England substitutes are

warming down, my time in Scotland is coming to an end. The Scots may

just be themselves -- beat themselves next weekend in Cardiff.

It is a good job I kept this T- shirt.

We'll talk Scotland later, but let's just concentrate on England.

Given where English rugby has been, it was all about the win key back

it certainly is. The best team doesn't always win. Certainly

Scotland were the best team yesterday. England are Six Nations

champions. Don't forget that. First Stuart Lancaster, he has cleared

the decks, he has taken the poison away. I think there is a little bit

more to go. They have brought in new talent. Whether they have the

ability to be top quality is to be seen just yet. There is a lot of

work to do. First Stuart Lancaster, it is about doing the business. --

for Stuart Lancaster. The performance is obviously important,

put the result is what is really important. What did we learn

yesterday about England? You have got to play for their coach. You

learn a lot about the team's attitude when they scramble. They

scrambled incredibly well. Even under pressure they didn't concede

those penalties that Scotland needed. Scotland have been scored a

try in four games. They will be quite happy. They go to row with

confidence. A big step for them. -- row. The best pitch -- piece of

Twitter advice I've heard yesterday for England was, give the ball to

Scott and! Who was that from, Stuart Lancaster or?! Scotland have

all the opportunities. It was an easy try. Scotland didn't look

great yesterday. Neither did England. England got the win. That

is the most important thing. Jeremy Guscott was right. Basically they

built in, and an experienced team and came away with a win? All they

got was a win. I think it was a shocking game. For both teams. I

think a lot of the England players are overrated. They are Pohnpei up

by the media. They went out there because. They felt sadly short.

There is nothing exciting in the England back line. Then they come

good. They have got a good set- piece game. That is typical

throughout English rugby. What they are lacking his imagination. George

North is one of several players Wales have got who can make an

impact. Scotland have Sean Lamont. He is the only player who is going

to make Wales swept next week. Let's Markham. Scotland travel to

Cardiff next week and Brynmor's picked his team.

Looking at the team for next week, I am going to advocate no change. I

would not mind seeing James Hook starting. He was outstanding when

he came on. I like the two big wingers against Scotland. The pack

would stay the same. Bradley Davies, given that he has not been sighted,

should retain his place. I would like Ryan Jones kept in the team.

This team has the ability and the potential to beat Scotland and take

that one step in what could be a very exciting season for Wales. It

could be a very exciting Six Nations for Wales. Lynn, would you

make changes? You generally keep the same. I think Bradley will not

be available for the rest of the season. Such is the severity of the

tackle. I would have no hesitation in going for Ian Gough. I know he

is just sitting over their! -- there. Obviously a very short term

plan. Or Lou Reed, who is a very promising. Rhys Priestland did not

have the greatest game. But he will get better. I would like to see him

engage the back line a little bit more. He is a little bit too deep

passing the ball. You have got to look at James Hook again at 10. He

is a quality player. Rhys Priestland is very good. We are

blessed at the moment. If we leave I would change the kicking duties.

The big thing for Warren Gatland was he was not kicking for Les

Blues. It was a simple kick but the pressure on him. Some of his

kicking was off. Give him a chance. He gets the best out of his backs.

He is very composed. Ireland have got Sexton and Ronan O'Gara. They

use them well on and off the bench. Perhaps we should do that. His it

is a good headache to have. discussed this in the World Cup.

Sometimes the crossfield kick when it is not the right thing to do. He

will learn. He is the future. has been injured. To come back

after three weeks out and goes straight into internationals.

is a brave decision to make a selection. You remember the

player's last performance. When you look at the last performance by

James -- James Hook. As a coach, you look back at that and

sometimes... And what will Scotland win? I think Dan Parks kill their

attack -- bring. They have attack, it is east-west. With speed they

might get interceptions and turnovers and tear into Scotland.

Scotland's try-scoring record in shocking. Robinson said he would

sort that out. They have to look at how they will win and how they will

beat Wales. Will they score tries? You have to be doubtful. parks --

Dan Parks gets you into the right areas. They have enough threat.

They have promising players coming through, like Denton. We've can go

back to Lisa. The panel have you signed up for

next week's game at! Did he have the right idea, if it is not broken,

do not fix it? I think so. I agree with Tom about giving Leigh

Halfpenny the kick. I would stay with Rhys Priestland. There have

been comments, but as he got thrown in in the World Cup against England,

he got stronger. Will you be able to play soon how is the injury?

Good, thanks. I will not be available for selection next

weekend, but hopefully back for England. What will Scotland bring

to the game next week? You said they should have won the game

yesterday. They should. You look back two years, they were lucky to

win with scoring at the end. There is no pressure on Scotland. We know

they can play an open game. The pressure is back on us. We are at

home and we must make sure we build on the performance from today.

sometimes worry with Wales going into the game as the favourites.

Who were the stars in the Scotland team we need to contain? There are

a dangerous player as throughout the team. We are being over

ambitious, knocking them down. I do not think that is right. They have

scored good tries. They had us on the wrack two years ago. We had a

good win and a good game but it was close. We should have respect for

Scotland. We should think it is a match anyone can win on the day.

Thank you. Back to Jason. Earlier, I caught up

with Jonathan Davies at the Aviva Stadium.

An amazing game. Both sides played well. I thought if Wales gained

parody -- parity in the set pieces, they would sneak it. But it was a

fantastic way to come back and win the game. Leigh Halfpenny keeping

his nerve after not great kicks in the World Cup. The back line was

immense. George North, what can you say? I want your thoughts on

Bradley Davies. There is confusion here about red or yellow? I am not

as colour-blind has some as he -- some of you over there.

Unfortunately, you have to say what it is. It was a red card. There was

intent. It was off the ball. He landed on his neck and that is a

red card. Even Warren Gatland and the team have said it should be

read. Sometimes, you have to be honest. We were unlucky in the

World Cup, but we were lucky with that decision. Inconsistency, but I

think everybody agrees it was a red card. A it is a massive win for

Wales, given the injuries they have had. Yes. It is a huge game. I

thought the boys, the injury is coming into this game, Roberts,

Priestland. Hopefully, there will be other players back. The question

was over the front five and they did exceptionally well. Credit has

to go to them as well. It was an immense performance defensively.

One man short. The ability of the backs. After the retirement of

Shane Williams. When you look at the physicality of the Welsh back

line. The supporter Jonathan Davies. It is a powerful unit. -- and the

support of. We can build on this. This was a great game to win. Three

home games and the game in Twickenham. Managing expectations.

Hoping injuries will not be too bad for next week and we look forward

to Scott and coming to -- Scotland coming to the stadium. Thank you.

am about to hit the spot sin Dublin and enjoyed a few beers! De smack

spots in Dublin. We know what happens on the streets

of Wales. Spot on. It was a great, and. Warren Gatland said they were

playing to 70% of their abilities. It is a nice sentence he has thrown

out for the players to be able to see. Looking for improved the next

week. It will be a tough game. It is about raising your game. A big

blow for Ireland, and now they go to Paris. A massive blow. We went

in with expectations. A's Six Day turnaround will be testing

leadership -- Six Day turnaround. Paul O'Connell, Sexton, you guys

will have to take this by the scruff of the neck. You know what

happens in Wales. I think Warren Gatland is too experienced to get

caught up in that. Any Six Nations game is a huge event and they will

prepare well this week. I expect us to be ready for Scotland. We will

have the stadium crowd behind us. What have we learned this weekend?

France are the team to beat? looks like it. They played well

against Italy. We cannot take Scotland likely. They have not

played well as a team, but they have great individuals. Warren

Gatland has been in this position before in 2008, when we went on to

win. We cannot mention it! They are keeping their feet on the ground.

We have a great chance next week. How does Warren Gatland manage the

expectation? By looking to improve and putting the pressure back on to

the players. Creating competition within the squad. There is a small

level of uncertainty without damaging their confidence. Ladies

and gentlemen, thank Bernard Jackman, Tom Shanklin, Lyn Jones

and Mike Hall. That is it. Scotland Bradley Davies in field. They are