Six Nations Special Scrum V

It is big. It is bad. It is this Six Nations. In the warmth of the

Millennium Stadium, Wales would third Scottish resistance. Scotland

battered and beaten. Wheels worn out, but winners. -- Wales. Good

evening and welcome. We had another cracking match this afternoon and

Swales have set up a Triple Crown showdown. The mood on Twitter is

all about this second half. Later on I'll be chatting to two previous

wills internationals. Big guys have really dug deep. They do wear --

they do wear their hearts on their sleeves. We knew we had more to

give at half-time. I think it was a superb opening 15 minutes and the

second half. We did everything we talked about at half-time.

joining us tonight, good evening to Jonathan Davies, Andy Nicol, and

We have a great crowd in tonight. A pulsating game today. I enjoy

watching Wales. It is like being a fan, even though you are working.

Most of the games are really exciting. Please give a warm

welcome to Andy Nicol. We enjoyed the game this afternoon. A very

slow start by Scotland and they will be on the plane home kicking

themselves. 14 minutes of madness at the start of the second half.

They conceded 24 points and they could not come back after that. The

other 66 minutes they played pretty well, with good young players

coming through. Stuart Hogg looks like A* in the making. Double take

a lot more from this loss today than the one last week. We also

have good international rugby players. Aaron Shingler stepped in

to deign to be great job. There is a lot more depth. There will be

concern now over George North. There are certainly a lot more

competition in the squad. They lose their captain before kick-off, yet

they managed to cope. His it is all about the depth. Aaron Shingler has

been working with the team for the weekend he fitted in like a glove.

Ken Owens came off the bench today and did incredibly well. They are

playing in a way that suits the Welsh game at the moment. Time to

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Greig Laidlaw does just that and Scotland are in front at the

Phillips just ran into the blue shirt knowing he would get the

penalty. Leigh Halfpenny realises it is good. 30 minutes gone here at

five matches. They have got to try and work the right hand side.

George looked -- George North is down, he is off. So close now. A

fumble! What a mistake! White blind fever, unfortunately. That is a sad

sight. The giant has been felt here. George North is off, James Hook is

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He gets wheels off to the perfect down there. There is a flag up.

will be a penalty. My money would have been on Jonathan Davies there

in a foot race. Yellow card, Wales have built themselves a ten-

point lead within six minutes of little bit of confusion out wide.

They will come back for the penalty. Greig Laidlaw steps forward, and

three points for Scotland, which they will gratefully take as their

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offload away. Advantage to Wales. That could be another yellow card.

He came from an offside position. The pocket is being reached for

again. As it was two years ago, Scotland have had to mend put away

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winner. Leigh Halfpenny gets the Did he? Let's have a look. That is

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Still advantage for Scotland. Sean the second half. Scotland lost men

and Wales have played wonderfully They retained the ball very well.

The guys really dug deep. We said at half-time it was a Test match, a

tough game. They came here to try to frustrate us at the breakdown in

the did that very effectively. In the second half, the message was to

keep hold of the ball. We had territory and possession and we

were able to capitalise on that. It was a great team effort. It was a

great feeling to score. We got punished for our mistakes after

half-time. The Welsh took their opportunities. We were under huge

pressure. Alex Cuthbert came and played superbly. It is great to

have these players back. We're getting to the stage where we can

compete no matter who is on the field. Twickenham will be a massive

game. We are glad we have got another win on the board and we are

building a lot of momentum. They will try to frustrate us at the

break down and stop us trying to play, so today was good preparation

for what we expect to face in the next couple of weeks.

Let's look at the statistics. quite as impressive as against

Ireland. The possession count not great, it has to be said because

Wales kicked away too much possession. Eight times into the 22,

27 points. Three points on average a visit. Tackles, 163, Wales made

80 before half time, that shows commitment and the defence had to

be great, because it was also be great, because it was also

responsible for the victory. Let's look Catt the key moments. The

defence played a massive part in the resort as far as I could see.

The Scottish team go about their business quite impressively.

Wonderful tackle by Leigh Halfpenny, textbook stuff. But, look at the

work-rate of the Welsh team, talking, filling gaps, working

together, serious professionalism, and the defence is key. They are

not giving an inch. This type of team spirit has been developed out

in Poland, working together under difficult conditions, and we see

the advantages and benefits. Against the Scottish team that was

seriously impressive at times. Very important that Wales have not given

away a try before half-time. To come out 10-3 down that have been

very difficult. Man of the match for me was Leigh Halfpenny. What a

contribution. He has gone from international-class to world class

in the last six months. Great pass by Priestland, Cuthbert notices the

fullback coming up on the right line, supporting his man, crossing

under the posts. Then, a classic 8, 9, 15, no winger, Scottish yellow

card, but who's there? Leigh Halfpenny. Wales have got some

great players and are looking good Dan Lydiate one man of the match

but that could have been any of those players. This, it could have

been cuffed Burke, Halfpenny. I thought the first half performance

was immense. And that is Wendy Max often deja the up and that is why I

gave him one of the match, but it could have gone anywhere, to have

scored two tries and not got it is tough luck on Leigh Halfpenny.

Lydiate showed how crucial the is. A Yes, his leg tackling in

particular, to get over the ball. It is amazing. Ryan Jones as well.

I think he is the most underrated player. He always steps up, he

stepped up again today. Lou Reed, and the back five of the scrum, I

was impressed with them. It is looking good. But Dan Lydiate,

coming back from injury, it was great to see. What about Alex

Cuthbert? The study consecutive Test and he is growing into an

international rugby player -- his third consecutive Test. He was

quite braw, before he was given the opportunity. He is playing in a

very positive environment. He took on perhaps where George North left

off last week. It was about, you have got to stop me, you have got

to pull me down. He got the try, and he has been very impressive.

Very physical but the most important thing for me is that they

can be physical Wendy Mac need to be but each of them has got a lot

of football about them and the quality of the first pass and was

passed last. -- the quality of their passing was first class.

Niven Davies never had the ball. He kicked it through, so Nick De Luca

should never have been close to him. Look at the Scotland players around

him. Davies was never going to get it. Coming back from an offside

position. Andy Robinson said in interview that he should have clear

that, but those are yellow cards all day long and it really cost

Scotland. And Andy Robinson said about not converting chances last

year, last week. So Scotland are just not able to do it. They got

into good scoring opportunities. But Romain Poite, the referee, he

could not have gone to the video referee, because it was not the act

of scoring, which was the daft part of the lot, but he's got it. If

Scotland could get more people like him in the back line then they

could start converting these chances. There is no finesse, there,

at centre. This young fullback will add a bit of balance. And Greig

Laidlaw Mr tackle on Cuthbert. -- missed a tackle. But I thought that

race Priestland, his game management was brilliant. He did

not panic. His composure was very good. It might have come at a cost.

George North went off, Ryan Jones is hobbling. Matthew Rees, coming

back hopefully for this game. There is some strength in doubt, there. I

want to see that deja Mac for Scotland, the breakdown was crucial.

In the first half, Scotland came to do a job at the breakdown and Ross

Rennie was crucial, he was outstanding. They put a lot of

pressure and Mike Phillips. I don't think Priestland touch the ball too

much in the first half and they could have come off, with a big

score at half-time, but to make the mistakes at the start of the second

half, the momentum is everything. That 10 minutes, to carry it

through, it killed Scotland of. more of the young players showed

great maturity. A Yes, Aaron Shingler was mentioned, Leigh

Halfpenny. I hope that whatever decision is made in terms of George

North, that they didn't as a fullback because he has grown into

that position. Jonathan Davies is playing well, Priestland, right the

way through at the site. Without Sam Warburton, he basically did the

donkey-work at the breakdown. We will have 40% of possession. We had

to defend. We made 160 the tackles. But there was so much composure in

the defensive system. There was no real threat. And that is what Wales

are all about at the moment. The match strike when they need to and

are prepared to absorb pressure. were talking in the studio last

week about the confidence that is right to that side. Yes, winning

give you a lot of confidence. The composure is good, physicality,

they have got pace. The defensive line speed was brilliant in the

first half. The kick-chase is good. Toby Faletau, the work that he puts

in, in a match, he is world class. He's getting better and better.

you have you? A I have watched them live in both games. Last week in

Dublin it was about Jonathan Davies and George North. Today it was

about Cuthbert, about Leigh Halfpenny. That is the sign of a

good side. The others step up, and that is the sign of a good side.

For Wales in two weeks' time, they do not need to concede penalties at

the breakdown, just let England have the ball, because the defence

is so good. England are not creating much. What do the boys say

with you, Lisa? We gave man of the match to Leigh Halfpenny. Jonathan

said that he gave it to Dan Lydiate. Who would you're one of the match

be? For the Alex Cuthbert. George North was the stand-out back three

there, but Cuthbert stood out. He is under pressure to keep that

Jersey, but his angles of running and his work rate was outstanding.

He made Scotland try tackling. He created a lot for us today.

were they should be the about a injury to George North? We have to

wait and see but it did not look good when he left the game in the

cast. It is about who we replace him with. Do we stick with Leigh

Halfpenny at hooker? Or put him at fullback and bring in another

winner? It is about how the training goes. The coaching staff

like to see the players in training before they put them in the game.

Sam Warburton was not playing, but they seemed to step up to the mark

today. I know that they could get Sam Warburton in cotton wool, but

all the fullbacks play the part. Dan Lydiate deserved the man of the

match. It could have gone to Leigh Halfpenny. But they were all

outstanding. A still to come, ricochet goes on the trail of

Wales's next opponents, England. -- Rick O'Shea. There was a scurrilous

rumour going around that you would not turn up because you were

worried about the outcome. It is a wind-up, as usual. The only person

who would not come would be Jonathan, because this little bit

of snow is too cold for him. We can round up the rest of the weekend

action starting with the Wales Under 20 team. Wales Under 20

recovered from the opening Six Nations defeat with an impressive

victory. Fullback Jones got the home side's first try. His second

came from an eight offload from half back, Sam Davies, who himself

slotted 13 points on the night as Wales have raced into a commanding

lead. Scotland managed two late consolation tries to make the

scoreline more respectable. Wales's woman sick their frustration of

last week's abandoned fixture out on Scotland. It was a dominant

performers. The second try was a peach. A good time THEN the flak,

with Caryn James, feeding Kith, and skipper, Rachel Taylor, Pop in

under the posts. Scrum-half he made a got the first of a breeze, and

rounded off a good afternoon for Wales, to give them a much-needed

confidence boost when they faced with -- England at Twickenham in

two weeks' time. In the code will tournament, one of two Welsh

Scottish clashes Ospreys went behind earlier on, but for some

scruff they handling saw Douglas Fyfe slide in for the first try to

stop Richard Herbert hit back with a try for Ospreys who brought on

Alun-Wyn Jones for the final half- hour. The compelling want came with

a delightful pink, before hearing in, unopposed, at the posts. A

wonderful try, and a conversion did the rest to give the Ospreys their

first victory on the road since November. In a capacity 8,000 crowd

greeted the Blues on a surprise return to Cardiff Arms Park. 17

points for Blues made the difference with the only try coming

after the break. Some of us making the break when it mattered. -- Sam

Hobbs. The Dragons face more misery at river now. With only four Jason

Tovey penalties to show for their first. Scarlets came away but

nothing from Glasgow. Only one try from prop, John Wells. Again, the

close-quarters try, and Glasgow have caught their, reaching the

try-line, and that will do. table shows that Leicester lead,

Ospreys remains second, Blues League row Scarlets to go insist

position, and the Dragons slipper that down to 11. Back to the RBS

Six Nations. We hope to bring you highlights of France against

Ireland, but the game was called off at the last minute. They have

made the decision, it is too cold, the pitch is freezing, the match is

off. We don't mother and acacia -- ramifications of winners will not

be Ripley. I am sure that this is a source of considerable amusement to

the crowd who have not been Torgeir at this match has been postponed.

They are announcing it now. I suspect we could hear a batch of

booing. -- barrage. Very disappointed. That gentleman is

particularly disappointed. They have come a long way and spent a

lot of money. The point that Keith Wood makes is valid, surely last

night the pitch must have been any In a statement, this Six Nations

said that they would like to it and congratulates the French are on all

the efforts they took to try to keep the game ahead. It should have

been called off on Wednesday or Thursday. It was freezing their

last night. People travelling from Ireland and all over France. They

just needed to make an earlier decision. It was ridiculous what

happened. The French were quite calm, to be honest. The Irish

played a bit of touch rugby to keep them entertained, but it was a

shambles. The decision was made by the referee, Dave Pearce and, buts

it's not his faults. He did the right thing, it was for player

welfare. If something happened during the game, it would have been

on his game. I think the French have been critical of him, but so

you can say that. It was the right decision. Player safety is

paramount. A lady from the I R be made a statement, and then burst

into tears come it was a nightmare. You did look very cold. Keith Woods

is not a good side in his long johns. The players and the coaches,

pumped up for the game, then 10 minutes before kick-off, you are

not playing. It is happen to me once or twice, and it is not a good

feeling. For the spectators it is terrible. Portugal played Romania

in 12 degrees under Celsius, there was about two feet of snow before

the match. It is a massive safety issue and nobody wants to see

somebody injured. The obviously didn't look at the weather forecast,

it was forecast -10 for the whole week. The weather was not much

better in Rome where we went to get the low-down on our next opponents,

England. So, here we are in Rome, really! We weren't expecting this,

but last year we weren't expecting this! The biggest win in Italian

rugby history! The Grand Slam champions have tumbled. But that

was then, and this is now. This is a new season, a new team for

England's, and you look for Rome and a new stadium. There is

something in the air that there could be the chance of another big

shock. Unlike France and Wales, England don't lose Italy, ever. Is

there any chance of a shock? atmosphere, a new stadium, there

are things are known about England and this could be their best chance

of beating England, so that is -- so it is building towards being a

great game. Don't forget, England put 59 points on Italy last year,

but Italy usually pull off all win at home. More often than not, it is

taken out. It is good! 01 Farrell opens England's account after 26

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big hits coming in by England. Giovanbattista Venditti has struck

Tommaso Benvenuti. He is all the is going to fall nicely. Two in two

been a lot to criticise and little to admire about England, but,

crucially, they have gone away from Another game were people thought

England were the underdogs. The boys in the Changing Room will be

very happy at the way they came back. Young team, in experienced

coaches, I will take my hat off to them. All credit to Stuart

Lancaster. They started the second half very well. Morgan and Dickson

energised that side. Wales are the team to beat. People have said that

Scotland and Italy would test England's, and of course they would

to a degree, but in top-class rugby you want to play against some of

the best teams in the world, and there is no question that Wales is

one of the best teams in the world. Wales are a good side. They can

beat any side in the world and I have just got to believe that.

England at Twickenham is never easy. This Stadio Olimpico is packing up

after its first international. In two weeks' time England return to

Twickenham. Their English Campaign At one stage, the Roman crowd

thought that was on. Very much so. It was just a bad mistake by Andrea

Masi for the knock-down. That was Charlie Hodgson just going after a

lost cause. If it had stayed at 15 points to six for a length of time,

they could have won that game. really showed some character

yesterday, the English. I thought the game was very bad. The first up

was dreadful. The quality of the Rugby was not good. Poor

convictions -- poor conditions, but no conviction. I expected more.

There is a coach trying to stand is a clarity and a young side. I

wouldn't be too worried from what I have seen. I think they will

improve. The players and the quality of the rugby has not been

at the standard I would expect. That was a tough game yesterday.

Tough conditions. Ben Foden has given away a soft try. England will

be very pleased at the way they came back in the last half an hour.

It is nice to see everybody heaping praise on Wales to make us

favourites before we go to Twickenham. Stuart Lancaster won't

care that it was a bad game of rugby. Two wins. Ben Morgan came on

I got a taste of it. In many ways I think they will take more from it

and the fact that they were down and came back. They turned it round.

It was a good strong psychological boost for the whole English squad.

Some new faces. Farrell, five kicks from five. He is from good stock.

He is a tough guy, mentally tough. Dreadful conditions. He does a lot

of Charlie Hodgson's events of work. They are young team endured a lot

of team spirit. Offensively, they have not created anything yet. But

they have been away from home in dreadful conditions. Stuart

Lancaster wants to play and expansive game, but that hasn't

happened because of the conditions. I don't think there for words are

as dominant as they have been. If the conditions are good against

Wales and the one to play an open game, it will be brilliant for us

because our defensive line speed was brilliant today. Both English

games they have played so far have almost been like the Premiership.

They have been attritional victories. If Wales play with

ambition and a different dimension than England have faced so far, I

think they will struggle. Charlie Hodgson has been defending OK, and

his weakness is his defence. With Jaime Roberts running at him, it

will be a different game. What other boys saying about England?

Have England had a psychological boost? Rugby is self-belief. It is

a young squad and they will get a lot of confidence, but Wales will

have the confidence to win at Twickenham. Today's performance was

not fully polished, so that will give us the bus to get it right for

Twickenham. The English match was not good to watch at all. It will

take time for them to gel together. They will be tested by a Wales,

without a doubt. Alex, you played against England at Twickenham in

2000 and it's. That was a Grand Slam year, could that happen again?

Wales are full of confidence. They have got to be really good with

their discipline as Farrell has kicked five from five. If we can

give Mike Phillips the service that he didn't have an the first have to

day, they could win. We have a couple of injuries that we need to

look sort out, with George North and Sam Warburton.

This is how the table looks Next up, it is England against

Wales at Twickenham. We have picked a side based on a fully fit squad.

Two weeks to go before the next game was up plenty of time for

players to recover from injury. I am not interfering with the backs,

who would? Six tries in two James, very clinical, lots of power. They

make quality ball on a consistent basis. Talking about quality ball,

the pack. Ryan Jones stays at number four. He played very well

today. What is important is other players will come and two

contention. Alan Ginola did well today, Matthew Rees, James Hook.

They reflect the quality of squad that warren Gatland is building,

with their strength in depth. your team before do that? -- differ

to that? The line-out is still a problem. If Alun-Wyn Jones comes

through in training he could sneak in. Sam Warburton, Ross Rennie

played well today, but that was because Sam Warburton would have

been in they're up against him. It depends on the injuries. It will be

interesting to see what they do if George North is not passed fit.

me, if George North does not fit, I would not change the team around

too much. Maybe Liam Williams of Scarlets, he has impressed. He is

the other one that comes to mind. But the likes of Sam Warburton will

have to come back into the team, as well as Aaron Shingler, those are

real threats, we need those players against England. And Wales are so

devastating from turnover ball, as well. We know how important Sam

Warburton is to that part of the game. I think that Bryn would like

to pick Lloyd Williams at captain! The luxury for Warren Gatland is

that he has got players coming back. You got Alun-Wyn Jones to get some

game time. Matthew Rees is one that I would certainly consider. Since

the World Cup p has come of age, he has put his body on the line and

played exceptionally well. If he is fit, with his overall game, his

extra ball-carrying capability, he deserved something. So Italy, that

Lions front rows back again. -- suddenly. Whether readers that

within the squad... At Twickenham, I think we out muscled them. I

think the side we have got now, we could absolutely smash them,

They are like a good club side but they are going to go there. But the

back row, with it were better than them, the second row better, the

front row bigger, the centres, bigger. For the record that is the

first spontaneous applause, for will smashing England! Well done! -

- for Wales smashing. But can Wales handle the pressure? They have done

very well. They have not played as well as they can, but two very good

victories, especially last week in Dublin. But Twickenham is a tough

place, irrespective of how well you are playing, it is a tough place.