11/03/2012 Scrum V

Could you say of 2005, I was there? Was that you up and the tree? In

full voice. Up in arms. In tears. Were you there in 2008, in the

streets? In the right place? In the mood? Were you there for shame the?

For the Grand Slams? Can you say of So, here we go again. Welcome to

the programme. Wales is just one win away from a third Grand Slam in

just a cyst -- eight seasons. yesterday was not the try it first

we hoped it would be an was a bit flat at times. But now it is all

about Wales or England for the championship. Let's hear who will

get our boys ready for the final battle. The guys know how much we

have to prepare for a physical encounter. We are at home and we

have a chance. And joining us tonight: Gareth Edwards, Reece

Gentlemen, welcome. Gareth Edwards, first of all. Here years! It's

always a great pleasure to welcome you. So, we know where we are now.

Wales could win the Grand Slam. It could be England as well. A

dangerous and winded France. Yes, in years gone by, you have never

known who will turn up with France. But I'm rather disappointed with

their performances this year. They looked disinterested, so to speak,

but they are always a dangerous side to play against. And the fact

they are in Cardiff, they will be scared of playing in Cardiff, that

is one thing to expect. But having said that, they haven't got to win

the Grand Slam or anything, they are not even in the championship.

So the fact they haven't got anything to go for might be to

Wales's advantage, but they will be dangerous. Four wins out of four,

what are your thoughts? I thought we were in complete control of the

game from start to finish, I thought we outplayed ever won

comfortably. I thought the referee did his best and succeeded in

spoiling the game, and I am looking for it to the next five years of

watching two fantastic open sides battle. We disappointed? -- were

you disappointed with Wales or shall we just throw our hands up in

the air and say when is a win? will always be a tough game, the

fact that Wales would have had their eye on next week, there is no

doubt about it. They were always going to be better than the

Italians. One of the main reasons to be disappointed was they went

out to play rugby and they were the only side that more positive and

tried to play rugby. But the referee and the Italians to some

degree prevented them from doing it. The Welsh public in his audience

are bang up for it, the press are, how do you keep your feet on the

ground and stay focused on the job? It is your job and the guys will be

totally focused. They are where a Grand Slam has been on the cards.

We were the same in 2005 with a victory in France, we knew that, we

were on the verge of something special. You are not allowed to

speak about the big Grand Slam until the final day. That is always

an excuse that can come back if your performance is not quite as it

should be. Like it has been said, they had one eye on the Grand Slam,

you just have that thought process. You will be talking behind the

scenes with all the guys. I think this side is on the verge of what

could be called a golden era, it could be three Grand Slams in eight

years, how many Welsh teams have done that? Plenty to talk about,

let us take you back to the metre line. Both the Italian locks

today were born and bred in South from the referee there. That was a

silly mistake from the Italians. That was a good kick.

opportunity for some points, then. Leigh Halfpenny has been in

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stunning form. It's very height. Halfpenny spot the opportunity,

pins his ears back. I thought he was in. What Tim Willcox me doesn't

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tackle. -- what a magnificent try! That is the breakthrough that

they wanted. Just what, there is the break. He has no chance. Great

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seriously saying that went backwards? For some reason, he

looked at the linesman. This is going to be a Lilo card. -- a

yellow card. A bitter pill to swallow for the Welsh fullback who

has played such a key role through an offside plus a block. Rhian

Jones is not at all pleased. There former when he's tired, great cover

defence. Just what, there years. He picks them out, great thickness,

Alex gull. -- greater fitness, Alex So, this is what the players and

Roberts has a clear run to the line! The to score try is a good

feeling. I don't score many. It is good to get a try. It was a bit of

a different game compared to England. It was probably not the

best game we have played but we still won so we will take the

result over the form. Great credit for the way they defended, but was

their game-plan to defend? It was a bit like a training session because

he did not let us make many tackles. I thought the yellow-card was a bit

tough and, I thought he was jumping for the ball and not trying to take

the player out. We played with one player down through that period. We

could possibly have scored a few more tries but we will take the

points. Do you think of it as a grudge match after the World Cup?

And -- it is rather cliched but it is 80 minutes of rugby and we just

have to carry on with it. The guys are tough and we have to prepare

right and carry on. I think we have a chance. That is the verdict.

Four out of four. Who can argue with that? The statistics look outs

-- look impressive. That is all a Into the opponents'' 20 to 38 times

-- 22. The penalties was an issue. Let's see some examples. I think

the referee was pedantic, Warren Gatland made that point. It is

about entertainment, it is even about crowds paying money to see

the game. But Wales have to take advantage of the territory. A few

silly mistakes crept in. A mistake from Phillips that he will not want

to recollect. I would like to take a closer look at that. Any rocker

Paul Moore, the forwards are coming around. -- a new ruck -- any ruck

or maul. That is the game-plan, tired the opposition down. Some

great hands by the flanker. He got around the defence. Italy, I

thought, were superb in defence. very important. Wyn Jones, all on

the ground. Look at the accuracy. We are enjoying that. Gethin

Jenkins, released -- really quick thinking. Cuthbert scored. It is

great to see Wales earned the respect of the Rugby World. They

are the team to beat. Every dip -- every game gets tougher but I think

Warren Gatland said the dressing room was a bit flat but he was

disappointed by Abe performance off the referee. -- by the performance

of the referee. Yes, he was penalising the attacking team. He

gave 15 penalties, 12 against us, the team in possession, trying to

attack. It ended up that teams did not won the ball in the Rhone half

because they didn't want to give a penalty away. They kicked it, the

other team would take it back. That is what the ping-pong was all about.

The rules have been changed, you're supposed to help the attacking team.

The priority was a runaround, -- the wrong way round, to penalise

the team in attack. All of the players after the match said that

Leigh Halfpenny was hard done by. think so. It was never a yellow

Parisse and he is underneath him as a consequence. He should never have

got a yellow card, I don't even think it was a penalty. Wales

usually score their points in the last 20 minutes. When you are down

to 14 men, a lot of that goes. Wales couldn't exert the pressure.

Thoughts on the yellow card, Gareth? He was slightly late

getting there but it was just a Since we know the personality, he

is not the kind of player to have malice in it. I am just happy that

it was only a yellow card. probably looks worse because

Parisse comes down on his side. He comes down awkwardly. I think it

was overplayed. And in slow motion you really get to see the gap. In

proper motion it is hardly anything at all. We are putting too much

emphasis on the last 20 minutes. If you have 70 % of possession you

should be able to score tries. Against southern hemisphere teams

we are not going to expect to be so superior physically. We have to try

to score tries in the first half. When you kick into touch, rather

than kicking for tries -- 4 points, you think this is going to be a

battle of attrition, but let's just score tries in the first half.

papers are saying that Wales are too one-dimensional. I don't think

that we are. We were not as clinical as we could have been.

There is a lot of variety and we still play to a certain degree of

structure. We have the power to play any kind of game. I think we

are in a position at the moment, the game has evolved over the last

nine months, you have to have a kicking game, you have to have

power, and I think that Wales have all of that. We had an abundance of

the ball, it is not that we didn't know what to do with it, but a lot

of them went down the line. I would like to see some variation. We are

very creative but maybe we saw for the first time the influence that

Shane Williams used to have, changing direction, doing something

different. We crossed the gain-line a few times but not really with any

success. We have sat on this or so for many times and discussed

defeats, and we are here on the verge of an extraordinary Grand

Slam race. We are the best side in Europe at the moment. We can't be

complacent, 38 attacks in the opponent's 22. Normally you

wouldn't even have that in a training session. I think this team

is going places, we should embrace the fact that we are going into

games as favourites. People say that we don't do as well as

favourites but we need to get past that, if we are going to face up to

the southern hemisphere. I am happy that we didn't have any injuries

yesterday. It was again but had to be played, it is out of the way, it

is on the way to a possible Grand Slam. Injuries was really the only

concern that I had. Let's have more reaction.

I am joined by Jonathan Thomas. You have been in the camp with Warren

Gatland. What do you think the coach's reaction will be two

yesterday's game? I think he will be reasonably happy with where the

team are. He said he was frustrated by the referee. I think the intent

to play was there from Wales but the Italians did well to break them

down. Yes, on Monday the players will analyse the game and they

might be harsh on themselves but there are bigger fish to fry next

week and I think the coaches will want to concentrate on that and use

the time as best they can, looking ahead to France. What is the

training like before the last game? The last week in 2005 was where it

-- was very light. We were happy with our game plan and it was very

much, recovery, massage, and getting right mentally for the game.

Warren Gatland mentioned that that might be different this week. That

will be interesting because it gained -- players will be one --

will want to be part of this and I am sure it will be a tough week for

the lads. Should we be worried about how well Italy contained

Wales? Not really, I think we have too many threats are round the park.

They were well organised and well marshalled and I don't think France

are as well organised. It was clear to me that the tackles were very

low and effective. We had very little slower ball to play with

that when we did we could see the dividends. Tipuric is somebody you

know well. He was my man of the match. He has great skill, deft

touches, his feet are excellent. Funnily enough, he is very good

over the ball and I think the French are vulnerable there. He is

a complete footballer and he is a great link. We will not be losing

out if Justin plays. Let's round up the rest of the action. We start

with Wales' under twenties. A capacity crowd saw Wales

searching for the second win of the as Italy stepped over unopposed.

Wales hit back midway through. Rob Evans showed great awareness as

well as a scrum-half's nose. He got his well deserved try. Italy did

not buckle and they were rewarded shortly before half-time with this

gorgeous break through some apologetic Welsh defence. After the

break, Wales got into their pace. He at 23-23 a draw seemed likely

until this interception led to MEC try. A man of the match performance

and no way back for the Italians. Wales's women completed the Italian

Job in their first ever routing at the Millennium Stadium. The crowd

stayed behind after the main match and they were not disappointed.

This try faire Evans gave the home side a convincing lead at the

break.. One way traffic continued in the second half. Wales were

firmly in control. Laura process ended -- added 10 points with the

boot. The visitors managed a consolation try but it was not

enough to stop Wales completing a hat-trick of victories over the

Stadium, new captain enjoyed a dream start with this first try of

the match from the line-out. The Scots came back with a marvellous -

- a marvellous try. But that was the end of the Scottish challenge

and Ireland was clear by the So, Ireland prepare the Twickenham

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with a solid win. Let's go to Paris goalkeeping on the line. And the

referee blows up because there is So, Wales have Grand Slam glory in

their hands. England can retain the title if they convincingly beat

Ireland next weekend at Twickenham. In Rome, it is the wooden spoon

decider. Who will it be, Italy or Sir, Now we know what Wales have to

do on Saturday. Who should be in the starting 15?

They say when a side is winning this election should be an easy

process. But there are a lot of I'm not going to argue with the

back line. They had been outstanding, I want to keep them

together. Looking at the forwards, Justin Tipuric was outstanding and

he does not deserve to lose his place. He is probably the second

best openside flanker in the UK at the moment. The top is some

Warburton, the captain, so I would bring him back. On reflection, Toby

Faletau has done nothing wrong so he would come in at number eight

for me. That is my starting line-up. My last pound is on Wales winning

Let us go round the table. What do we think? Selection was, I agree

with that. If there is any contentious areas, maybe Matthew

Rees. I thought he did OK but he has not played much rugby. But I

would stick with Matthew Rees. And obviously Luke Charteris came on

the bench and made an impact, some big hits in the tackle area. But

then you have Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans who performed well. I

would stick with what we have but we have a real bench of impact to

come on. If Luke Charteris has a good week in training, do you think

he will be tempted? May be one of the best things Warren has done

since he got his team selection. He seems to get it right more times

than not. Leave it to him, he has the dilemmas but what is most

pleasing is there is a gap there and you can see real quality on the

bench. It is a wonderful head, isn't it? Fantastic. A couple of

years ago, when the bench did come on, it wasn't as find it -- as

strong as the first selection, so to speak. But with the people we

have them now, their ability, they don't seem to be any weaknesses.

Guys are coming on and you don't realise that some of the first team

have gone off. That is to their credit and it is to the credit of

the strip of the squad. That is why we are more confident than we have

been for a long time going into a Grand Slam. Due agree? Yes, totally.

This what selects itself, for me. Especially looking at that back

line. So many dangers everywhere and it is great to see them coming

in and working hard. For me, the first 20 minutes against France

will be vital. There will be a great atmosphere, it will be

amazing. The crowd is going to make it a cold and the players coming

out and the French when I get. It's not nice going to Paris when it is

the other way round, so we can really make this atmosphere

terrifying for the French coming up on Saturday. Will look at the Pont

de? Yes! Let's get a coach perspective from Lisa. How will

France approach this? I think their attitude is reflected in their

selection at the moment. That will be key, but I think they will try

to come through our Blitz. Players like Rougerie, they will come

closer with Picamoles. They are not as organised in defence and there

are some holes there for Wales to exploit. If they pick Parra we will

be worried, but I think we have too much for them. And will the players

look after each other this week? Well, they will be itching to get

back into camp this Morrow -- tomorrow. I think the first mental

hurdle will be team selection, they will be nervous about that. Do they

find out at the same time as we do? I think Warren sometimes does it

earlier in the week or later. He is a master of mind games so it will

be interesting to see what he does, whether he leaves it a bit later

and allows a bit of competition in training to see what happens. The

players that have been and done it before, the senior players and

perhaps they will need a stab to remind him they have a tough job on

their hands. Thank you very much. Lisa, thank you. Earlier, I spoke

to Jonathan Davies. We began by reflecting on the dramatic finish

there. Yes, England played exceptionally well. France could

not work around it all through it. They took their opportunities. In

the second half, they stopped playing a bit which allowed France

to come back into it but then it was sealed with a great ride. So I

thought England really raised their game as well. France - slightly

disappointing, to be honest. That England win has virtually handed

the Six Nations crown to Wales, but this is all about the Grand Slam,

isn't it? Yes, I think so. It Yate points now to the good. -- 38

points. They want to go out on a high. Yesterday's performance, we

always knew it would be frustrating. Italy did not offer anything and we

were never going to lose. It was just a matter of when we would

break them down. We get two opportunities and scored two lovely

tries. I hope they play with a bit more variety. It will be dangerous

next week against France because they are a very, very good side.

France is strong up front and behind. They are not creating the

opportunities or finishing them, but if they do that next week and

it clicks, they are the most dangerous team in the competition.

But fingers crossed that with the confidence and composure we have

shown this tournament that we will get the Grand Slam. And one thing

we know from history - French teams lose and then the bounce back.

they will come and they cannot win anything, so that could make them

even more dangerous because they could just play and enjoy

themselves. As I said, their line- up is good, the scrum is good,

their half-back is not that great, they have no direction or pattern.

Rougerie showed glimpses of greatness, but I hope that next

week they don't click. If Wales can just stepped up a couple of gears,

they deserve the Grand Slam. They have been the best, most persistent

side and I hope we win it. It is deserved. Very good to talk to you.

How does this squad compared to previous Grand Slam squads? Well,

very different from 2005. Obviously, this one isn't quite as organised.

This one is run through contact, whereas before it was passed

through contact. It is more consistent because of that

physicality. I think they're as good as anything we have seen in

the last 30 years. There is huge gap there. I think we will be

better next weekend because of what is at stake. I expect not just a

win but an overall performance that is as good as anything you could

see. Is this is good as the achievements as Est year? I see no

reason why they should not win and I feel there is a long future in

front of them. They just seem to be so confident and they feed -- with

their feet very much on the ground. Lot of respect for the French on

Saturday, because they have a great captain and we know the French can

play rugby, but there is no need to fear them, just respect them.

phenomenal when Jamie Roberts comes out and says he is nervous about

selection. Yes, that is the strength of this squad, people are

really pushing for those Jersey's. Warren likes to look at training,

so he might play those mind games to keep the guys on the edge and

ready for the game on Saturday. This will be a great occasion for

these players. Thank you very much, please join me in thanking Gwyn

Jones, Rob Jones, Gareth Edwards and Rees Williams! Now, before we

go we will end the programme on a high.

Your song is rapidly becoming an online at sensation. What is it all

about? It is about being proud to be Welsh, singing loud and proud

and hoping that Wales won the Grand Will always remember your red card,

you gave it your best, boys, we'd never complain. So with winners

like lanterns will never forget our sideburns and sidesteps. This is

your time, boys. Don't let me down. I won't let you down. Don't let me

down. I won't let you down. I said don't let me down. I won't let you

down. And we all hold hands and drink to each other's that help.

And we all make plans to thank the And we all hope Wales win the Grand