Six Nations Special Scrum V

The Six Nations drama begins with Wales verses Ireland. The Irish out

of the blocks fastest. Quick in speed and mind and skill.

But a stunning Wales fight back in the second half. The Millennium

Stadium roared as the Grand Slam champions piled on the pressure.

But it was all too little, too late. For the first time in Wales history,

Wales have now lost five on the bounce at home and it's a trip to

Paris next. Hello. Good evening to a Six

Nations Special. Wales's hoping of getting back crushed yesterday. By

Italy's win over France, that trip to Paris just got tougher. Good

evening. After that first half horror show, Wales woke up and

started to play. But all to no avail. Here are the thoughts of Rob

Howley. We need to start better. That's the

obvious thing to say. We need to focus on that. It is disapointing.

We said that all week. We would start well and we didn't. We need

to sort it out. That's Rob Howley's view. Let's get the point of views

of our finalists. On our panel, Gwyn Jones, Phil Bennett and Martyn

Gentlemen, a very good evening to you.

Great to have you back. Good man! We have one Irish fan in the crowd

today. It's great to see you. Always a pleasure to welcome you

back to the Scrum V Six Nations Special. Last time you were here,

Wales won, thanks to that controversial try by Phillips. You

guys are still moaning about it. Yes. Sweet revenge. I am happier

here this time. Phil - what are you taking out of that performance

yesterday? Are you looking at perhaps the second half stirring

fight back to give you hope for the rest of the Six Nations? Two things

came out of me - the character shown by the side in the second

half. It could have been humiliating. This could be 40-50

points. They came back in again. They had possessions. They blew

some glorious chances. The fitness levels shown were incredible. These

boys may... Their fitness levels are magnificent. It is only great

Irish defence kept them out. That is a positive I will take them out

of it. All the audience know that. In the second half, great character.

Martin, you know these guys very well. First of all, any chance to

speak to them today? I spoke to one or two last night. Pretty short

conversations. They were not up for much banter or chat. They were

shell-shocked. We were the first half, thought they put the autumn

behind them. Had a good two week's preparation. They were honest. They

said the Irish blew them apart in the first 30-40 minutes. You know

and it left themselves an uphill task that they could not get back.

Good evening to you and it has just got tougher with Italy beating

France today. That was my emotion. I was surprised how the difference

between the two sides in so many aspects of the game and ultimately

it came down, in detail now, we turned over five times in attack in

the first half n the first 44 minutes they were 33 -3 up. However

encouraging it is, it is irrelevant. We didn't turn them over once in

attack in our half, when all the pressure always ended in points.

That the difference between the two sides. OK, let's show you the

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Knock on by Wales. Ireland will are over for the opening try.

They took their eye off zebzeb. going in on the side.

Somehow he missed it. But he knew the penalty was coming. It's

Wales are very tightly grouped here. Not much width.

Now, there's a bit more. charge-down has led to a second

Irish try. Sexton.

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The try has been awarded and it's Brian O'Driscoll back into

international rugby who scores try number 46.

There's no better man, not giing up there.

He's -- giving up there. He's got one thing on his mind. So quick

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They'll want to take that quickly again. The referee stops everything.

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and the Welsh players are saying, let's have a little look if we can,

binned. Now, if that makes contact with a

pad, that's a try. It doesn't actually. That's a

Romain Poite will go upstairs. Don't tell me Mitchell has come on

to score. To me, it looks like he's got it

down. You'd have to say it looks likely. That's it there. That's the

one. Try awarded.

What's a -- what a game it's been. A breath-taking second half. The

Welsh came back in the second. Ireland hold out. Wales 22, Ireland

There were a couple of unforced errors. You cannot give

international sides 20 odd points. We had the early try in the second

half and the character showed. I think we left about four tries out

there. In the first half, you cannot start international rugby

and give other sites that much territory. The boys were pumped up

in the changing-room. We wanted to explode into the first 20 minutes.

But they came out and played exceptionally well. They made it

very difficult for us. We try to make tackle after tackle. Wales

brought it to us and ask serious questions of us. The work-rate we

got through was unbelievable. team, it did not go particularly

well in the first half. Once we got a few faces together, we felt

comfortable on the ball. Some positives from the second half. But

overall, disappointment and frustration. We will never give up.

We have to pick ourselves up and get some wins now. Where did it all

It was an exciting game to watch for the neutral. It was a game of

two halves. Statistics can be misleading at times. He would be

forgiven looking at the general statistics that Wales had won the

game. Wales dominated in these areas and the second half. But the

Irish team scored all of their 30 points in the first 44 minutes of

the game. In a pulsating game, the ball was in play for a long time

for that particular to the difference between the teams and

how long they had with the ball, Ireland only had the ball for just

over 12 minutes. It is not how long you have the ball but what you do

with it that counts. Tactically and technically the Irish team were

better on the day. When the Irish team carried the ball over the line,

they got it back to present a quick Contrast this with Wales. They

squeeze the ball out, allowing them to cage the ball in for that they

can slow it up. Many times, they turn the ball over. Here, a good

carry but events goes off his feet, he does not take out the threat and

when Justin Tipuric was to clean up, he is too late. It was the story of

the day. But who was leading? Where did the leadership come from? Ian

Evans decides to carry it up, he is too high and the support comes too

late. The chalk tackle has been well-documented. Three defenders

will come in and end the let the ball. They will keep it off the

floor. The referee has no question but to turn the ball over to the

opposition. This Irish team came in a confident mood. Wales were a

little bit predictable at times. Let us take a look at the line-outs.

When we got the ball into their half, there was Miss communication.

When we got into the killing zone, we lost possession. In the outside

channels, they were attacking errors. In contrast, Ireland became

smart and I queued at the line-out. They got it into the outside

channels. The change their delivery. When the master got it in his hands,

he showed his experience and deft talent. Wales came had in the

second half especially in the battle of the back rows. In terms

of yardage, they carried roughly the same. But the Irish carried

over the gain-line in in a less than Wales. When Justin Tipuric

came on, the game changed at slightly. Wales batted and batted

the Irish defence towards the end. Ireland had to make a tack --

demanding 200 tackles. But was the result down to some great Irish

defence or was it the predictable What do you think? There seemed to

be a lack of adventure. Then when you did go out wide, they were

loose passes. It was like Ace side that just were not familiar with

You guys had more try-scoring opportunities than we did. Every

opportunity we took, we got the score. So many times, a loose pass

at a turnover, we certainly went out wanting to slow you up. But we

had a good few turnovers. It was not a familiar Wales performance.

Ireland's performance reminded me of Ireland's performance when we

beat them in the World Cup. -- Ireland's performance reminded me

of Wales when we beat the All -- them in the World Cup. We got held

up and turned over. The Rory Best and kier Healey were outstanding in

the tackle area. They were not breaking tackles but they got the

extra few metres past the initial impact which makes the ball quicker

and easier. We say Wales are predictable. Everyone knew how

Wales would play last year but they could not stop us. We based the

game on a slamming ate up and tiring the other team down. If you

make mistakes in the contact area and if the other team are better

than you, you will lose the match and that is what happened. They

turned us over. Ireland at the team that to the chalk tackle better

than anyone. Mike Phillips is an upright runner. We have to play the

game down there. We are victims of Our own success really. We find it

difficult to go away from that. We expect the boys to run over the

Irish back line. But it was something like 35 minutes before

George North touch the ball. We did not have a Plan B. We blew three of

for a glorious chances. We take the contact. There were times yesterday

when we lacked leadership. Somebody said let us move it wide but we

went again into the contact area. Loose passes, Jonathan Davies is a

good player normally. You cannot let us go astray at that level.

adds up to a simple fact, you could not get anything going. If you have

a game plan which is still on the physical game, you have to back it

up. If everyone knows when this guy gets the ball he will not pass, I

do not need to go anywhere else, I just get ready for contact.

drove line-outs, but we do not drive them very well. We'd met as

well run at Sean O'Brien. We have two large centres. We just did not

expose the superiority that we are meant to have in the physical

contact in those areas. I would like to ask about selection. We

know there have been many injuries. Is at Rob Harley in a difficult

position? -- Rob Howley. He is a hostage in some regards to the

players available. He could have picked different players. But what

disappointed me was the lack of football in our three quarters

computer there's. They looked more creative and imaginative than ours.

Sometimes, they lack in basic skills. You could argue the game

had broken up but it did when Justin Tipuric came on he had a

massive impact. He was going to get the ball in his hands much more.

With Dan Lydiate not being there, Justin and Sam could have played.

It was always going to be an open game with Ireland. They will always

throw the ball about. We could have played the ball yesterday. We have

all been there. The referee starts giving a few 50 50s. Jonny Sexton

played well. He had the great Brian O'Driscoll outside of them. When

the captaincy was taken off him which I think was a daft decision,

people are starting to write him off. He will decide when he is

written off and he showed that yesterday. A genius player. I am

glad you brought up leadership. Are or you worried they are not enough

leaders out there on the pitch? do not think there were NF leader's.

They need big people like Jamie Roberts to call the boys. It I do

not think we had enough experience players out there. It showed when

Ian Evans got the ball. Everybody is looking around. We lack generals

out there. Ireland have a lot of leaders. What is your view on some

of the calls? I think it was difficult. We have some quiet

individuals naturally. They would have to change personality to

become more vocal. Leigh Halfpenny is similar. He is not a natural

loud and brash individual. It helps when more people talk. That is one

of the problems. We have lots of problems. A lot of the boys acquire

it. It is something they are looking at. They are still young.

It was an issue yesterday. I think the crowd was shell-shocked. It is

difficult to and know what to say when you're stood behind the posts

and 20 odd points down. Things were said at half-time and it came out

and play better in the second half. The best sides have all the best

talkers. You can debate about selection but that still has no, a

coach cannot make a guy miss a tackle. Ireland have been

struggling for form for a long time. We just have not been able to get

consistency. But when the need to tackle, they tackled. Wales needed

to tackle in the first half, but they did not. What you are

suggesting is there are not enough Wales players who are playing well

at the moment and are devoid of confidence. You are on a bad run at

the moment. Regardless of how mentally tough you are, it has

chipped away at you. The first score was important yesterday. They

would have been a lot of demands in the Irish side if Wales had scored.

Because they scored the first try, we were up on the back foot. There

was a huge momentum shift their. You cannot win Test matches like

this. Let us get the reaction from Joining the is Gareth Llewellyn. Do

you agree that the Welsh game suffered from a lack of passing?

lot of people have talked about this for a number of years. I feel

sorry for people like Jamie Roberts. We are asking him to play in a

certain way and it will take its toll on him. Ireland and not the

biggest side in the world and we struggle against them to a certain

extent. England and France are bigger nations. We need to bring a

I wouldn't mind seeing him back on his role in the blind side.

There'll be more on the back row. Barry John described it as

lacklustre. People on Twitter are going on about how awful it was.

Are people overreacting? Was thait bad? People look at the first half.

As the guys have alluded to now, the first Irish tries came from a

charge-down and two turn-overs. So we have to respect the ball more

than we are at the moment. We've talked about how fit we looked and

our work rate and what we did in the second half. Two years ago we

were telling everyone we were the fittest side on the planet. If Rob

Howley wants to start well, we have to back ourselves from the first

whistle, not when we are desperate and look after the ball. We will

hear from you later. Thank you very much. More action for you now and

On Friday night Wales dominated the early play. It was Ireland who

Sam Davis back in his normal In a tight finish Wales held on to

record their first win over Ireland since 2008. Wales were looking for

revenge after a heavy defeat last year, but Ireland opened the

scoring after 22 minutes. Spence finished off a good back

move. Wales need a top finish to the match was tide 7-7.

There was a penalty after 64 minutes. A try broke Welsh hearts

with just five minutes left to play. Congratulations though to Wales's

sevens teams who came back from 21- 0 to beat Tonga. Every year during

the Scrum V Specials we gave a D We have a reputation for adopting

teams. You will remember Bangor. We thought for this Six Nations it

would be a good idea to adopt a country. Now I have been assured

that all the names went into a hat and I have been allocated England.

So, let's see over the course of the next seven or eight weeks if we

Two days ahead of a big game, they are going through their drills in

pretty much the same way as the Welsh boys would be. They are big,

fit, strong and look intense. The only difference I can spot is the

How is it going? Will you have a chat with us? Might do. Good to see

you. Nice place this, isn't it? right, isn't it? We have players

who are going to fight for the shirt and put in committed

performances. It is what you can create...

I get the feeling he is confident of his team and happy in the

direction they are going. It's going to be interesting. I am a

lazy Welshman and you are allegedly an arrogant Englishman. Do you care

what people call you so long as you are scoring the tries and England

are winning? I am not too bothered at all. Wherever you go it is the

rugby hype, labels that get chucked on here and there that people tend

to believe and follow. When it boils down to it, when you meet

everyone they are genuine blokes just playing rugby.

We are looking to see what we can doen oh the field. That is it, the

column inches are done. The provocation, the sabre-rattling, it

is all over - it starts now, in about 20 minutes the game will kick

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off. Let's see how Scrum V's -- debut.

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England may get that try. Wide it final try.

England's victory is complete. So a comfortable win for England.

Were they arrogant? Who knows? They were certainly superior. How good

are they? I know a man even a Welshman will listen to. There was

always that fear that players could get too carried away. As we saw

today they didn't. They have stayed and remained grounded. A lot will

be done to Lancaster and his coaching team. There's been a

simplified game plan put together, which is now being developed into a

more of a -- attacking options. It will take time to develop that and

make sure every opportunity we D what have we learned about

England? We have seen their players in their natural habitat. They

actually see a good bunch of boys as well. We have met their coach,

he is grounded. He has a game plan the players have brought into. Are

we loving them? That may be too soon to say. They are certainly a

lot to admire. More from Mick and his new team here next year -- next

week. A big test for them because they've had four Autumn

Internationals, beaten Scotland, beaten the All Blacks. Are you

quaking in your boots? No. APPLAUSE Ireland will have taken a massive

boost from the first half. From the second half, from the physical they

showed in the defence, this is the game to get up for. Everybody loves

beating England. It's why you play rugby. They are coming here. They

are very strong. The thing you have to do - it's more of the same. We

need to get into their faces and make them think maybe they are not

as good as they are. I think the one thing in their favour is

Lancaster, I think will keep them very settled. They love getting

carried away. When they are going well, they can be dangerous when

they get their confidence up. Lancaster will nicely stoke that

fire. Y e, -- yes, be weary. Good luck. Thank you very much indeed.

More Six Nations action for you now and the most stunning result of the

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French slowing it right up. through.

A good dig. It's an excellent dig. Good decision. Slow ball, take the

table looks tonight after the first Sunday. A brilliant result for

Italy. That means there could be a wounded animal in France waiting

Well I am not sure Italy did Wales any favours today in beating the

French. There are some obvious threats the French have.

What Italy were good at were identifying miss matches.

Close to the line we need to take our chances next week. In terms of

selection, I would like to see Owens or Hibbet coming to play from

the start. Why not the -- have Adam Jones to bring some solidity to the

You are going to France and they will play a huge driving game. You

could end up with two sevens. It makes it difficult. We don't have

to worry about them. We have to worry about ourselves. We play

better with Justin on the pitch. Rob Howley able to make any

chances? He has some options. I think there is skill and invention

in the team. Who will play seven and six then?

These are questions for the future. That is the difference. They will

be fit soon. Then there's a headache for us. At the moment I

think you start with six. Do we look at the James Hook coming

in? Dan Biggar did not play his best game in the first half. If we

play James Hook, I have not seen enough of him playing for Perpignan.

We have to make decisions. Warren Gatland said that with her Rhys

Priestland. He backed him up and it paid off. They gave Dan Biggar 70

plus minutes. They may give him the opportunity to gain gain time. Are

they giving him as much time as possible to establish him at Number

10? He found it very difficult in the first half. Giving him gain

time in the second half, he improved. James Hook is a world-

class player. We have not seen enough of him. You have to rely on

the coaches. They know what type of game they want to play. If you want

a fast game, then James Hook may be your man. Some of Our World class

players may think their places are in jeopardy this weekend. Following

defeats, you will always be a nervous. They will tinker a little

bit and bring in a few players. They will give players a -- time to

bed in as well. Yesterday, the first half was very difficult for

Dan Biggar. I expect them to keep him. We were all speaking last week

and saying that the back line almost pick the self. We are only

one game into the campaign. They know they are good players. They

just need to start better next week. It is great that you are here. We

Williams. That is some start to the second half for Wales. It is a

penalty again for Wales. Breathless and magnificent. They are still

going. Are they have taken it quickly and they are there. Martyn

I had hair there. It brings back some good memories. But as a

different back story to this Wales team. You had a couple of good wins

and he went to Paris feeling confident. This is different.

Confidence is shot to bits. It is totally different circumstances. We

were written off than as well. We had not won in Paris for a while.

That result today has not done us any favours. They were not balanced

today. Come next week they will put it right. It is difficult. New

Zealand is the ideal game, no expectation. It ribby the same next

week in Paris. Or for some reason we play well against the French and

we have done in a recent times. It is a daunting place but why not

give it a crack. Earlier on, the panel were talking about defence.

have never been a believer in the Blitz philosophy. Wynne-Jones

brought up a statistic saying we had conceded so many points in 40

minutes. We lost to Australia in the autumn because we blitzed at

the wrong time. If we had not lit in the last minute of the game, we

would not have lost the match. The teams that we aspire to beat do not

have Blitz. We have to be careful put up the big highlights you get

with the Blitz defence, such as Jonathan Davies coming in and

making it a collision. They overshadow the deficiencies of it

sometimes. Will Carling sent a message. He said Wales need to pick

players who are on form, not a World Cup form. You could argue for

it James Hook. But the winners are in place for the style you want to

play. The selection between Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton is a

difficult one. Justin Tipuric is always on the front foot. Sam

Warburton is playing for the Cardiff Blues who are struggling at

the moment. It is difficult to make a fair comparison. Pack your for

joining us tonight. -- thank you Each week we will be looking at

selection for the British and Irish Lions. This week, Phil Bennett has

stepped up to the plate. Will there Welcome to the lion's den. Last

week's team was picked by Jeremy Guscott. Dan Lydiate made it

despite not being fit yet. Sam Warburton may be missing. We have

seen him make brilliant tackles for that we need to see more of that.

This week's selector is Phil The Federal picks itself. -- the

There we are, seven Irish, for Welsh and for English. The

captaincy looks to be between Jamie It is a good team. The when talking

point is Mike Phillips. Many Sunday newspapers say he did not play very

well. I am terrified of the block. I looked at Ben Youngs yesterday,

but I can remember Mike Phillips in South Africa and he was making a

visit. We need someone like him. He is not playing well but a lot of

players I did not pick their are not match-fit. I based on the games

I saw yesterday. That was my selection. But Mike Phillips gets

in every time. I would go back to Brian O'Driscoll. I know I feel was

a if he is fit and he should captain the British and Irish Lions.

He was cruelly put out in the first Test last time. I would love to see

him have a crack at the Six Nations and go on the British and Irish

Lions and then retire. What he does to his body, he will not be able to

walk when he is 40. The scale is still there. Everybody a response

to what he does. He is still spiritually the captain of the

Irish team. He is one of player every fan loves to watch. Perhaps

you could say this is the biggest week of Rob Howley's career.

Whoever lost that game, the coach would be under the microscope.

There is lots of pressure after the first home game. There are some big

selection issues. Strangely enough, I feel confident the boys can do

well in Paris next week. I do feel sorry for him. He has picked the

wrong season to be in charge. I do not think much has changed. We are

just not playing that well. He was under a lot of pressure. The we may

play well in Paris, and then we go to Rome. It just gets harder and

harder. That is the Six Nations for you. It is the best competition in

the world. We have nothing to lose. Nobody will give us a chance. If we

play to Our best ability and cut out the errors and play basic rugby

football, we can shock the French. I think the French were still think

they will be able to turn up and roll over a Welsh side that is

lacking in confidence. If Wales go there and do what they can do...

Ladies and gentlemen, please show your appreciation to the panel

members. Wales were beaten by Ireland and it is France next. From

Make every second count. If it does not hurt, you do not feel it. And