18/03/2012 Scrum V

Expectations... Pressure... Duet from Merv the Swerve. It was

pulsating... At times, brittle. A nerve-racking finale to a Grand

A Grand Slam goes to Wales! Good evening, welcome to this Six

Nations special. A weekend of high emotion as Wales win their third

Grand Slam in eight seasons. This time last year, who would have

thought that in the space of five months we would be World Cup semi-

finalists and Six Nations champions? I will be chatting to

the old guard. First, let's hear from a man of the match, Dan

Lydiate. You have got to do it to win a Grand Slam. I'm glad it is

over. And joining us tonight, Jonathan Davies, Kingsley Jones and

Chamakh -- CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. Welcome back. What a date! And

Knight... It was an incredible day. I am just wondering how many people

will turn up for work tomorrow. fitting tribute to a man much loved

by Welsh Rugby? The crowd was superb yesterday. It was at its

that to start, in memory of Mervyn Davies, and the minute's silence

was impeccable. The team winning the Grand Slam, several players

said this morning that they do it for Mervyn. Three Grand Slams in

eight seasons, what an achievement? Fantastic. The thing I enjoyed

boast was when the boys did a lap of honour. Everyone just stood and

applauded. It was fantastic. When did you watch the game? -- where

did. I watched it in a restaurant in Georgia. There were 17 plasma

screens, all showing Wales. Everyone was congratulating me as

if I had played, it was fantastic. It really made you proud to be

Welsh. Everybody was over the moon. How did you get on? I don't want to

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tell you! It began with a minute's Lovely pass by Priestland. Beware

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the French are more! -- the French gear. WHISTLE BLOWS. Wheels have

used all of their back row. The a magnificent finish! That is what

you have to do, you have to get the ball through a hands and turn it

WHISTLE BLOWS. The Welsh have a penalty. France always under

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was. WHISTLE BLOWS. It is just a again and his work is rewarded.

Leigh Halfpenny... It is long Lydiate makes what may be the

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tackle of the match. France inside the scrum. -- hurling at the scrum.

Yash belly with a simple three Leigh Halfpenny sprints away. Great

the ball away! Leigh Halfpenny extends the lead to

16 points. Wales are inching their way, second by second, to their

third Grand Slam and second years. We have turnover ball. Penalty to

Wales. Wales have won the Grand Slam! It

What a game, what an atmosphere. Let's hear from the team. I put my

body on the line. You have got to do it to win a Grand Slam. It was

the first chance for a lot of us. We are just over the moon. Last

match of the Six Nations at home, what can be better? Honour those

ridiculous sessions we did, I guess it has paid off, brilliant. It was

just one of those games, you think, it can be a draw. At least it was a

draw we would not lose. But you want to go for gold, don't you?

What was the feeling walking round the stadium with 70,000 people

applauding you? It was so real, to be honest. I remember thinking how

proud I was of a team in the past and to be part of a Grand Slam

winning side is something that for me personally, I never dreamt of

Avon playing in the Six Nations but playing in the Grand Slam is very

special. As a team, we haven't played that sort of match in a long

time. It was pretty simple. We scored some pretty special tries.

That was a game for kicking and chasing and it was hard work.

boys had to dig deep and show some toughness and character and

hopefully, it is their real turning-point for Welsh rugby. They

have shown some great courage in this tournament. They have come

through. It was an incredible atmosphere on

that page. It has been a privilege to allies

this. 75% of the squad are probably three or four years of their best.

They said the World Cup was a It was all about territory against

France, playing in their own half. France were under pressure, 17

kicks. That reflects their under pressure. Let's look at the

comparisons. Comparing with England they were second in the

field, and that is reflected. Every time they visited the 22, a try

every four visits. Really confident in having ball in hand. A team

offloading usually wins. Look at the comparison. If you want to win

in the Six Nations you have got to tackle strongly. Defence and

territory when the impressive things that caught my eye. They

talk about being clinical in their game, clinical pulls not -- doesn't

necessarily mean tries. They are talking to each other and keep on

They are composed. France are going nowhere. The Welsh team guard their

line. But they have done so throughout the tournament. France

are going to get frustrated, because that line is not going to

be broken. Jamie Roberts advancing. That makes a difference. Lloyd

Williams getting stuck in. Look at Adam Jones! Giving 110%. The

kicking game was so instrumental. Graceland and Halfpenny while world

class. -- were world class. This is a long kick. It's about keeping the

ball in play. Leigh Halfpenny, he had a superb Grand Slam. Wales have

done us proud. There are no stats for commitment to the cause, but

all those elements were there. They have done their coaches, their

family, and their coaches, and the greater Mervyn Davies, proud.

Wales showed great guts and determination. The rout the

tournament, to be fair. -- throughout. The England performance

typical that their defence. They have had to work hard. What have

you made of their desire? In it has been brilliant. I have enjoyed

watching them. France were always going to be negative. They wanted

it to be a dogfight. They have been magnificent all the way through.

The defence, as we saw in the stats, it has been amazing. We saw a great

bunch of lads. One man put his body on the line, than litigate -- Dan

Lydiate. He is old fashioned type of player. He is hitting people

around the ankles. A big part of the Welsh game is the turnover. He

puts the defender in a position, I'm sorry, the attacker, he puts

them in a position that they don't want to be in. For me, the player

of the tournament. You sat there in October, you picked him out, a

great performance. I was a flanker as well, he's the type of player

that they coach once. -- that a coach would want. The number of

tackles, the carries, he is worth his weight in gold. Let's talk

about Rhys Priestland, there was some critics against Italy, but he

controlled the game well yesterday. He could have let his head drop.

Warren Gatland was very wise. The captain on the field. Yesterday,

there was the odd radio kick, but generally kicked long. He put the

French defence under pressure. He came good in the second half. He

kept a Wales down there, where they wanted to be to win the game. He

played very well. I thought he put some lovely passes on for our

players. He orchestrates the defence. He brings people into the

game. I have been impressed with him, he's going to get better and

better. Australia is coming up, that will be a hard test. There are

so many players you can pick out. - - we were worried about Alex

Cuthbert, when you have up your boots. -- when you hung up your

boots. It doesn't make me look good, does it! He is much bigger than

you! He is coming on leaps and bounds. This is his first season. I

had helped him. He has been outstanding, I have enjoyed

watching him. He has developed into a good player. He can read the game,

he works hard off his wing. He has shown that is up there with the

Best. His story is a great. In the Ireland game, they're all great.

That is the whole thing, the squad have come together. That is a sign

of a great team. When some players are not have the Best, the other

stand up and be counted. -- are not on the top form. You have to give

Warren Gatland a huge amount of credit for bringing these young

players through. 100%. The guys he has brought in, he has given them

confidence. The young fellows coming in, they are at a great age.

Ryan Jones, what a man. He was dropped as captain, but he has come

in and got better and better. He has done a great job. I think the

balance they have, with the young lads, the front-row experience,

it's a great balance. I wish we could play the All Blacks next week.

I do, as long as Dan Carter is still injured!

There is tremendous strength in depth. Yes there is. I spoke to

Sanne yesterday, he had mixed emotions. To come off injured, he

was desperately disappointed. Ryan James came on, he was outstanding.

-- Ryan Jones. I have never seen a depth like this before. You have

three players in the squad who have won Grand Slams, is that just luck,

or something special? I think it is something special. They are bad

injuries coming to the tournament, they have come back without much

gain time. They have shown their class. It shows how much faith the

coaching staff having them. Ryan Jones equalled the record as

captain, and he has come on and played superbly well. You have Ian

Evans, a team-mate of yours, he has won every Six Nations game he has

played in. He is a super player. He is unsung, he has been brilliant

every time. We will hear more from you later.

We are celebrating a Wales grand- slam, but it was a day of mixed

emotions. Words like legend an icon are

bandied about far too easily. Not in the case of Mervyn Davies. His

incredible skills and athleticism made him one of the all-time greats,

in world rugby. Had his career and not -- had his career not been cut

short, he would have added to his caps. He had 30th for Wales, and

two successful Lions tours. He was instantly recognisable. He was a

natural leader. Quietly spoken, not a man to waste his words. He did

his talking on the field. Rugby fans the world over will talk about

It's fair to say he was quite a character. I had the privilege of

going to East Africa with them -- going to South Africa with him. We

drank l'art! -- we drank a lot of beer! We have a Sunday school, we

went on a boat trip. We were dying before we got on the boats, when I

saw the sea, I didn't think I could go on. DEC got rather than offer. -

- of the waves were getting bigger and bigger. I could see laughter.

Mervyn Davies was there, a pint in one hand, and some boiled eggs in

the other. He called us pansies! Wonderful memories. We talk about

your period, do you think we are looking at a new golden period for

Welsh rugby? They have some great men in charge. Shaun Edwards is

unique, they have brought a winning element into the Welsh side. They

are the fitter side in world rugby. If they can get those fitness

levels going, the strength in depth, they can go down to Australia and

put their hand up. They need to be those kinds of sides. There is no

limit to what they can achieve. Let's get some more action for you

Let's get some more action for you now. Wales' women took on France.

The French side ran in five tries. They have a top point lead at the

break. The one-way traffic continued in the second half. This

try was the pick of the bunch. England's dominance of the women's

game continued. Scotland Tacoma the wooden spoon, like the men. -- took

home the wooden spoon. It was also disappointing result

for the Welsh Under 20 side. The French ran in a two tries. wails

ran in a late consolation. There is still a a lot of work to do.

England made a back-to-back title. -- ing and made it a back-to-back

-- ing and made it a back-to-back title.

The rugby continues. It is the business end of the Pro12.

Munster take on the Ospreys. On Saturday, stand by for the Cardiff

Italy and Scotland were battling it out to avoid the wooden spoon and

England and Ireland were battling comes the day. -- Morgan comes away

once more. Penalty to England. Owen Farrell with relative ease the

BLOWS. They near side penalty try. The forwards have their reward.

England dominating territory and possession. Keith Earls is the way

and frees himself. Looking around... Taking down by Strettle. Or nearly

-- Tomas O'Leary goes for the Cross food kick and it goes into touch.

WHISTLE BLOWS. Penalty to England. Youngs has gone for the try. Quick

thinking by a scrum-half. That must have been close to being

a forward pass. There's a gap for Venditti. Venditti on his 4th

international appearance. This is what the Italians are good at. This

into the runners-up spot. On familiar territory for France, 4th

place. Scotland have a Six Nations whitewash when first time thinks

There is not much more Stuart Lancaster can do to get the job,

what do you think? I think he has got a good work ethic and as a

coach, they are playing well. I was talking about this last week. We

said that Farrell is a very good man. That combination, and we were

saying maybe they would go for a Nick Mallett. Why go for a big name

when a bloke is doing his job. He cannot do any more. They have got

to put faith in him now. Saracens will want to keep Farrell. I think

they should give him the job and carry on. What do you think, should

they give the job to Stuart Lancaster? The reaction of the

players, he has brought them back down to earth. They are now very

humble, they are very back to the fans. He should be the man for the

job. What worries me is that the big names in England are shedding

Nick Mallett. I would go for it Stuart Lancaster. Is he the man to

see it through? To be fair to Andy Robinson, I think he could probably

walk out of Scotland and walk into a very good job. He hasn't got a

great pool of players. He has brought some good players through.

Unfortunately, international rugby is about winning and his record is

not good enough. He may be feeling on the fact that he wants to play a

similar style to Wales but everyone is saying about the cutting edge of

midfield. Unfortunately sometimes you have to play to the strength of

the team. The only thing I would be critical of his is he playing to

the strength of the Scottish team? The back row was impressive?

scrums are not bed -- bad and the back row is not bad and you have

got people who can kick the ball. You do not build your game unless

you get some wins. They have got no balance in midfield. They cannot

get the ball to them so it is a waste of time. They had two yellow

cards yesterday. It is not the coach's fault when they are doing

stupid things on the fault. -- on the pitch. If you are a man short

you are very lucky to score a point. If you can score points, you are in

trouble. Let's get more reaction to the

Grand Slam. Earlier we spoke to a legend and Scrum V favourite...

Wales have won the Grand Slam. Next, a three-match Test series in

Australia. I have been given the responsibility of getting some

action from that neck of the woods. We have a time delay and my brain

delay, which could be interesting! Let's see who we all speak to this

morning. It is... The maestro himself, welcome to Scrum V. Good

morning, or good evening for you guys. Who cares what time of day it

is, lovely to see you. Wales won the Grand Slam. How has it been

received on the other side of the world? About time, a lot of people

were thinking. The Welsh from last year have demonstrated they have

got a side that can go further in the competition. I was disappointed

with the way they finished. Alex Cuthbert is coming up quietly on

the rails? I get abused by a lot of Welsh people on Twitter. Someone

said, get ready for this young very coming through, he is 7 ft 1 or 4

never. He has grown a few inches. That's great try-scoring. A lot of

people round the world will be worried because the Welsh are going

to come to Australia this year. So, three Tests and they could be in

good stead when the Six Nations and showing under pressure that they

can play good rugby. So you are saying there you are worried about

his in Australia, worried that the latter coming?

It is about time that they have got a great team together and are being

competitive. In previous years, you had one-off Tests and Wales were

always hard to beat at home. But then they travelled and his

struggle. Let's see who as we can find on the

way. We were clearly the victim of a New Zealand-island flat during

the World Cup to make sure that Wales did not get in the final. The

real best team in the world were denied in Auckland. We are just

going to have to wait until 2015. This Welsh team are officially

acknowledging three Grand Slams in eight years. This is a golden

period for Welsh rugby. When they held that trophy aloft, it looked

good. Let these guys just play rugby. Don't panic, don't get

nervous, just get right behind the Alliance and push them through to

2015. -- behind the lads. Playing against Australia is a opportunity

for Wales to prove their credentials. Fans have been gagging

for a proper rugby. We need more line scorers. We are a competitive

outfit. We are going to crush the criminals in their own backyard!

is always a great pleasure to see you. It is much more fun to have a

beer with you. Enjoy this fantastic Grand Slam.

Getting very excited about Wales's tour to Australia. What do the boys

It is massive. We need to get out their anger to resolve. This is a

new era, a new side. It was a real tight Six Nations, if you look back

at it. They know, when the chips are down, when things are tight,

they can go out and win it. I think they'll be looking forward to going

to Australia, take the spoils. have to send a message, that we up

for it. I think so. Everybody will take notice. It is time to deliver.

A great staff. -- great staff. The you think Warren Gatland is the

favourite for the British lines job? I think so. -- British Lions.

He has a great record. Semi-finals of the World Cup, three glans lambs.

-- Grand Slams. To Wales wanting to be the -- would Wales wanted to be

the British Lions coach? I think so. If he wants the job, they should

let him have it. Thanks very much. Would you like to see Warren

Gatland in the British Lions job? think it is a definite. He has a

great coaching team. I can see Graham Rowntree being the forwards

coach, there will be a lot of Welsh players on the tour. It makes sense

for Warren to get the job. Summer tours after their chance to bring

young players in, but this is different. We have won a Grand

Slams before, and fallen short on tours. It is tough down there. You

are playing them in their backyard. The Best teams in the world, the

Best players in the world. Now is the time to go out there, we are

full of confidence. What Wales are known to have to learn to do, is to

come back when they are losing games. The squad they got, now is

the time to go there. I would much rather go to Australia Banner New

Zealand also paprika. -- than in New Zealand or South Africa. It is

all about the world rankings, getting up as high as possible?

There is nothing like beating the Australians. That is the only way

you get respect of them. -- off Ben. Sometimes they don't show you

respect. It is a great opportunity. Hopefully we won't have too many

injuries. It is not a one-off, you have time to adjust to the country.

I want to talk to about Warren Gatland. He always impresses me

when he gives an interview. Is he the greatest Welsh coach we have

ever had? There have been some great coaches. He has won 50 caps

for the All Blacks. They have been some great coaches. He has I

fantastic job. -- done a fantastic job. A few years ago we didn't have

the strength to compete with the Australians. This time he has a

great chance of taking the lads out there, and pinching some results.

There has to be a succession policy if he takes the British lines jobs.

-- British Lions. I think Rob has enough experience to takeover. I

would leave it as it is, even if he has to take a sabbatical. You're

watching it in a studio, had about feel? It was tough. -- how did that

feel? I was on pins and needles. The way they have won the Games, it

has given me bonkers. It has been brilliant. I have really enjoyed it.

I find it difficult when they are singing the anthems. It has been

fantastic. I'm a lucky charm, five games commentating, five wins.

Thank you very much. Thanks to my guests. It began in Dublin, it

ended in Cardiff with 250,000 people letting loose in a Grand

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# Now I gotta cut loose. # Footloose, kick off the Sunday

shoes. # Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees. # Jack, get back,