Six Nations Special Scrum V

After two weeks, the Six Nations explodes into life.

Wales travel to the Stade de France, and nobody gave them a chance.

It was tense, gritty, it wasn't pretty, but one moment chambray

plea - the North Star. -- one moment it shone brightly.

Joy as the Six Nations is back on track for Wales.

Good evening and welcome to the Scrum V Six Nations special. After

eight straight defeats, Wales showed character and courage to

beat France in Paris. Good evening. What's a tense game

that was. Leigh Halfpenny was a hero once more, but one crucial

Tonight, our guests are Kingsley Jones, Shane Howarth and Tom

What a reception from the great live audience in the studio.

Kingsley, no matter the performance, it is all about the winner? Yes. I

think that kick from Biggar and the quality finish from George North

made a big difference to the Wales' Six Nations. Both sides looked more

afraid of losing than trying to win. But the important thing was the

winner. In the last five minutes of the game, you saw the confidence

coming back. It is massive for the rest of the tournament. Tom, a

strange atmosphere? Very strange. The French supporters were on the

backs of the French team from the start, they were whistling and

booing. But Wales were under pressure. The teams, the coaches.

And what better way to on Sarita Mamat performance? It was not

pretty, but it was a winner, and I feel this could kick-start their

Six Nations. What a way to do it. It was brilliant. It was not great

for 60 minutes, but the way they defended in the end and the

attitude was under -- was unbelievable. What is it like to

win at the Stade de France? It is very nice. Wales have not won there

for several years. It was touch and go for a bit, but Dan Biggar's chip

right at the end was brilliant. was a gritty display, they dug in

and did all the dirty work? When you have played eight games and

gossip, you have a scoreline like yesterday, it is a great place to

be. When you are struggling for form and you are playing away from

home, that really sets it up. Wales have the chance. They did it. What

was interesting for me is that the first two line-ups for either side

were thrown to the front, that is a standard go to move to get into the

game. I found that quite amusing. Mr Shane Howarth, making his Scrum

V Six Nations debut. Great to see you. You won in Paris

in 1999, alongside Rob Howley? I think what is so pleasing for the

nation is that everybody is pleased for him? We were probably under the

pump, but not the way that they were. It was a game we had to win.

The same happened yesterday, as the boys are alluded to. It was dance

of the desperate, we were playing Quins last night, I got off lucky.

I missed most of the second half until George North's try, so I got

off lucky. But a win is a winner. I know there are things to work on.

So much to talk about, boys. Let's enjoy the match once again.

Jonathan Davies and Andrew Cotter a good drive on by Phillips. Wales

are in a very good position, 50 metres out from the French line.

Great to drive by Phillips. Great position. A great start by Wales,

no doubt. Rob Howley and Mark Jones on the

right. I think they will be happy with it so far. With the possession

and the territory they have had, they want a few points. They might

get them now, a penalty from the confidence wise. France, despite

being on the back boot in their own Wales. They will come back for that

penalty. I think he has the distance for this one. 3-3 in the

Stade de France with almost 20 minutes gone. Nothing between the

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forward, eventually taken down by Welsh Jersey's pouring to try to

chance. A wonderful kick by Leigh Halfpenny. All the way they come

back into the French half. This is our former winner River -- reacting

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noise has increased inside the they call it. Ryan Jones is doing a

great job. Brilliant. That is momentum going. The referee has

called. Oh, stolen! Great defensive could give the penalty, now it is

Benjamin Fall once again. Very fortunate that Jonathan Davies was

outside the 22, right in front of with two minutes gone in the second

negative option to take. They had Wales on the back foot, they had

numbers on the right-hand side. They are all in there. There is no

defence on the left-hand side. And then... Wrong decision and a poor,

poor kick. Then we go again, this ends in a penalty for France. --

France are level at 6 points apiece, nine minutes remaining in this very

tense match. If they could bring those big winners in and targets

Frederick Michalak, he does not like that side of the game. --

try, and it may be the one which wins this match. A long way to go.

George North has certainly scored. He thinks he has scored. Great

bounce for George North. You will not stop him. Oh, try! That is a

drive. Keeps his left it in play. Watch the reaction! This is what it

means! -- that is a try. Keeps his left foot in place. It takes the

difference to seven points. Great kick from Leigh Halfpenny. Wales

are seven points in front with kick this they could take it beyond

They know how vital it is! Leigh Halfpenny's kit takes Wales 10

points clear with five minutes to go. And the spectators are heading

into the night, the French fans. What a win for Wales! Here come the

So, what a win from Wales! Let's get the thoughts of the coaches and

Words can't explain, can't describe how much this means. What a

fantastic feeling. The boys played incredibly well. We knew it was

going to be tough coming here, but we stuck together, dug deep.

talked about coming year and playing as a team and I think we've

done that. The Testament these guys are shown up on the last few months,

Enormous congratulations. It must feel an enormous weight has been

lifted off your shoulders. course there is a sense of relief,

but the consistency, the message we been saying to the players for the

past few months is that they don't become a bad side overnight. The

character you need, the attitude, the determination, you need all of

that. The players showed that in abundance yesterday.

desperation was there to see for everyone. That first half, there

was a moment where France were starting to get on top and we help

them. That was the turning point. You were the official man-of-the-

match. Two pressure kicks. You knock them in with relative ease,

had you stay so calm? Believe me, my heart was pumping, beating so

fast. Were you in your head rather than in it the Stade de France with

18,000 people? Yes, it's quiet, you have to be able to focus on the

cake. -- kick. What was last night like? Did you ever few celebratory

beers? A few, but it was an early night, trying to get some sleep and

spending the day with a family now. You've got a little boy? Yes.

will be a proud little boy. Will he have watched it? He will have, but

I don't think he'll realise how big it was. He wouldn't know the

difference between playing for my local club. It will be nice to

spend time with them today. Sir, Where Did It All Go Right for

Well, Wales that attitude in abundance yesterday. It's in nine

games since week shunned the opposition. It was a great

offensive affair, typified by the two defensive roles. It was a

kicking display and a tactical one that plague the evidence for Wales.

Let's take a look. They identified in the crucial moment where they

identify the Space Again and George North took his opportunity pull

stop it was a very disjointed game. Both teams seemed afraid to lose it.

The pitch and the referee didn't help either. Eight minutes so round

at the scrum time. There were 16 scrums, 11 of which were from

penalties or free kicks. A frustrating afternoon. Wales are

built a reputation on a strong scrum, and the pitch didn't help.

Time again, Adam Jones was deemed to infringe on the site by the

referee. It was a frustrating afternoon. France seemed to lack

ideas, rhythm and leadership. But you can't keep Rhian Jones down. He

Sauveur to smile -- he's so versatile. He's a talisman for

Wales when the place and a red shirt. He was grappling with the

French guys off the gold. Ryan Jones to provide the Welsh affair.

In the final moments, Kyi found himself as a nuisance value time

and time again, turning the ball over and ripping it from the French.

Were the French in different? Do they have tactical issues, or did

Wales a really stop them playing Lyn Jones, what do you think?

stand out thing for me with Wales was the discipline a Turk. -- they

took. Brian Jones was very prevalent in that. The contact

skills with Wales would right yesterday. A Munster at all, they

were disciplined and understanding and accurate in their roles. It was

no frills. France just missed out a drop kick, they missed an open goal.

It could go either way, but it didn't. They make less mistakes in

the second half as well. It's the defence that won the game. The last

10 minutes were unbelievable. I do think France struggled a bit. Their

problem is most of the teams they play in their league of foreign. I

don't think they picked their best team either, but you can't take

anything away from Wales. It didn't matter about the performance,

playing well and losing that we've done so many times against

Australia, it was about grinding out a win. You seen what it means

to the boys. A big factor as well as everybody put their Birt to the

ball, kicked well and kicked long. -- put their foot to the ball.

France or poor against Italy and again it yesterday was the same. I

tested him yesterday. The selection of his team, he is experimenting

with a few positions. Morgan Parra, Francois Trinh-Duc, he's

experimenting. It will be interesting to see what they do.

We're lucky that we game against a desperate French team in one way.

It was tight and we got the all- important went. I was impressed

with Adam Jones. I thought he had a good game. He got pearlised a few

times -- penalised but the car but they played on yesterday was an

atrocious pitch! -- the carpet. He attacked straight and then the

pressure came across. In the second half he tried a more loose

technique to give Wales a bit more time. They just needed cubits

square. What about the attacking options for Wales! All pundits have

been talking about their defence qualities. Do their attacking

options were you? A poor defence dominated because neither attack

from my view was any good. I think Wales have got the best back three

in the Six Nations. I want to see the more open, more free. Whether

you could get any scrum domination on that service, who knows? -- that

surface. I would just love to see North and space, Halfpenny and

space. They just had to win. I think they went away from an open

game to just write them down. -- grind them. I think the space was

behind. It's difficult against that type of defence to exploit the

space behind. I was pitched side yesterday working for BBC Sport.

There were so much emotion on that pitch as soon as the whistle went.

Jamie Roberts gave an interview shortly afterwards and talked about

That's just an amazing player, he's a big fan and it goes to show what

it means to win. You know Jamie very well. This dip the press have

given Rob Howley and the Welsh squad, has it been justified? --

the stick. Well, it is part and parcel of the deal. Don't worry

about what people say, everybody has a job to do in this industry,

the agents, media. Had you cope there? You had a couple of run-ins

with the press, didn't you? No, not really. Yes, you did! I was in the

press conference! Well, you mature and grow up over the years. You

just learn to deal with it because you know you are looking at the

performance. I went through a 10 run defeat once upon a time and

when we won the game afterwards there were tears in the Changing

Room. Worst game of rugby I'd ever seen in my life, but it didn't

matter. I think expectations were high. Were not going to win the

Grand Slam every year, it's not going to happen. But we want a

level of consistency. This game on the weekend, we found a catalyst to

take us forward. There was a great moment from the match yesterday.

When George North scores in the corner, look at this fellow in a

bobble hat, hugging him. Then he gets wheeled away by the security.

We've identified him, if he is Now, that his fatherly love. Have

any of your relatives any piled onto the pitch? Eden's core any

tries! -- you didn't score any tries! It just goes to show his

father is a mad fan, just like they all laugh. What a finish the George

North. -- from. I came guarantee the Welsh management will be

working harder in the two weeks after this when then they will have

done before, working out why they want. I played a bit for Rob Howley

in you fill them, because you know as a coach how bloody hard you're

working behind the seeds. -- scenes. In the Sunday Times, they said that

they would envious of the try, but they describe George North's

finished as sublime. His power was just absolutely fantastic. Do you

agree? It was a good attempt from Francois Trinh-Duc and we know how

strong he is. Going back to the pressure on coaches, is ridiculous,

really. They are fine lines every game. When you're coaching and

winning, you might try a line over 15 and an inside ball round the

back and you don't realise how much your own behaviour changes when

you're in that position. You tighten everything up, and it's

interesting, Lyn Jones said, you grow up to the phone, you drive it,

you can't help but do it because the pressure is huge. They will be

opening their minds and trying to Your comments about the blitzed

defence, do you stand by them? Those comments will be borne out

when we play teams like South Africa, New Zealand and Australia,

we will have to beat them to achieve that. France came to bully

us, they had Bastareaud in the centre, they wanted to run straight

through worse. It suited us. Away, boys, fill your boots. But let's

remember what we were trying to get to. Shaun Edwards knows that. There

is not much he is not already aware of. It is just an observation, and

Shaun Edwards will not change. touched on the criticism of Rob

Howley, is that fair because he is the caretaker? He has taken over a

difficult position, by definition he is taking care of the team until

Warren Gatland comes back. He has been loyal to Warren, he has kept

the structure the same. He could not exactly changed everything and

then when one comes back say, there you go. It is a difficult position

for Rob Howley. But that is the business we are in. What are your

thoughts on the scrum, poor old Adam Jones and the pitch? The pitch

was not great, but it was the same for both sides. We know how good

the French are at scrummage. The Adam perhaps coughed up a few

penalties yesterday, he would be disappointed with that. But he is

still be a foundation that we have built our game on over the past

three years. -- he is still the foundation. But France game with a

big scrummage. Thank you. Let's round up the waste

-- the rest of the action, we start with a Pro12 and a possible

champions at Ravenhill. There was a penalty duel between Ruan Pienaar

and Matthew Morgan. Even if the Ospreys fly half did strike the odd

one ski with! With the Ospreys down to 14 men, it was time for Ryan

What a try for the Ospreys! The Dragons trailed by 14-0 at home

at one stage before storming back with 23 unanswered points,

including this delightful move finished by the fly half Stefan

Jones. Scarlets enjoyed a win over

Connaught. They renewed their play- off hopes in the process. The young

fly half Williams but it 20 points. The only Welsh losers of the week

were the Blues. They succumbed to a force for first half from Leinster,

who took a 20 point lead into the interval. Blues did score the try

of the night, Robin Copeland during the approach work for Jason Toby to

looking to bounce back after their shock defeat in Italy last night.

The fly half crossed with two tries and back two points in total. The

home side dominated throughout. They scored four tries on the night.

But Reece-Edwards' side did not give up. Taylor showed great

strength and pace and was denied just short of the line in her first

cap. It finished 32-0 to France. Pylons go top after their historic

win against England, and Wales need a win in Italy as they would for a

top-four finish to secure a place in next year's World Cup.

Following on from Wales' great win in Paris, the under 20s were

looking to build on their victory enough distance. It creates

confusion but ends up in Welsh hands. He beats him with ease. He

has support on the inside, Rhodri Williams, that is one wonderful try

for Wales. The French made a strong comeback in the second half, but

Danny Wilson's side held on for a famous win.

Undefeated Wales go top of the table, next up they face lowly

Well done to the Under 20s. Time to catch up with England. We thought

this week that our correspondent really needed to adopt his --

embrace his adopted country. Last week we met the England

players and I was pleasantly surprised, Ben Morgan was an utter

Gent whereas Owen Farrell, who looks about 12, is so cool he could

be a member of One Direction. And direction is exactly what Stuart

Lancaster has given his team. But it would still be good to know what

goes on inside the head of an Englishman. I've been doing some

research this week to better understand their philosophy. Austin

Healy, every Welshman's pariah, makes an interesting point in his

autobiography. He says, it helps to have a bit of arrogance of the

right sort on a rugby pitch. In professional sport, there was no

place for self-doubt, you can't afford to let its surface, you will

end up getting hurt. Is this what we are mistaking for a perceived

English superiority? Today's mission for me is to find

out what it is like to be an England fan. To do that, I will

need to go under cover, and to do that, I will need camouflage. For

what I am about to do, I beg for forgiveness of first my family, my

friends, but, more importantly, of you, the Scrum V viewer. Please,

So, if you are in England than the best thing to do is come to England.

We have taken a short hop over the bridge to the mouth olds Boys FC.

Having noticed, since I put this shirt on, I have come out in a

rash?! But let's get on with the but 12 trees goes to ground. --

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to stop the winger. He is in the way, he could receive a yellow card.

James Haskell holds out his hands. There he is, James Haskell, moving

away. He is moving away but he did kick the ball. Ronan O'Gara does it

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has hurt himself. Penalty to England's, Presumably kick it out

Thank you for having us and your hospitality. What do you think of

this England side? It was a good win today. They are spot-on. They

did really well last weekend. It was all about the cakes today.

are doing everything right, it reminds me of the good times when

Clive Woodward took over and started from scratch and brought

the team up. And gave people the opportunity to build on stuff. And

then we won the World Cup. I think it is good. Could this side win a

Grand Slam? I believe it could be a Grand Slam win. There are lots of

young players who are gelling well. It possibly could be, yes. It could

be, but you never know. Would you put your house on it? I have

already paid for my house, so, yeah. A so this weekend we have learned

that, just like in Wales, rugby is at the heart of the community. It

is a family events and they depend on these guys for their future,

just like we do. From Ms Six Nations pointed you, we have

learned that England have a steely edge, and by winning away from home,

like Wales did yesterday, it shows that this championship is wide open.

The fans, given the fact they beat the All Blacks in the autumn, they

think they can win the Grand Slam. Is it on? Of course. They looked

very powerful and confident today, it was a stalemate game that

England have the edge all the time. You've got to levy coming back from

injury, they have strength and depth. They were right on top of

the game, it will take a hell of a team, probably on March 16th, to

beat them. That scares me, I am devoted to two countries which are

taught to hate the English. The problem is Stuart Lancaster is

making the right noises, and I have not met him get through Wasps, but

he is making the right noises and the rate selection. They are going

all right, unfortunately. Or fortunately, depending on where you

come from. We have to take a lot of a friend's -- a lot of confidence

from fans. I think we can spoil the party. We always front up against

England. I am impressed with their belief. To go to Lansdowne Road and

be so well organised, particularly they made a lot of errors at the

start and allowed England... By his England have been gradually getting

better since the autumn, they beat the All Blacks... That will give

you so much belief, beating the All Blacks. It has given them a lot of

belief, that showed today. Ireland did not play well, but to go to

Lansdowne Rose and buzz Lansdowne rose -- Lansdowne Road in those

conditions and get the wind... have to move on, boys. Wales' next

opponents its elite took on a rejuvenated Scotland at Murrayfield.

-- Italy took on a rejuvenated target, Scotland have the first

fabulous start to the second half by Scotland. Their inside centre is

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This is how the RBS Six Nations lost their opening two Six Nations

So, Italy next for Wales. Wales will have some renewed

confidence now. Italy looked well beaten by Scotland yesterday but

they still have some threats to He has his frailties, he jumps out

of the line, Scotland exploited it by drawing him out and putting Tim

Visser in for the first try. If Wales can stop Italy from

stopping Bowe line speed, they will be on the front foot against the

Italians. Credit to the Welsh coaches for

their selection and tactics, but they have timing issues to work on.

Great timing! But a bit of work to do their.

The mark of a good coaches whether he can make selection changes to a

winning team. What do you do when you have Andrew Coombs and Ian

White -- Ian Evans playing exceptionally well, and Alun Wyn

Jones is back next week. Sam Warburton needs to come back, and

Lyn Jones, what do you do? You have so many selection headaches?

want to be playing England on 16th March, you want to make sure all

your best players are available. And how are you going to get there?

Will Alun Wyn Jones be good enough to be selected for the game? Too

right! Should he be? Too right! I would go for Alun Wyn Jones, yes.

What about the back row? Ryan would have to play.

What happens, Lynn, there is a big issue, because Ryan Jones stays as

captain. We can't agree on much, I would put Alun Wyn Jones on the

bench. They have to win in France. I would keep Tipuric in the team,

he has done nothing wrong. Sam has missed a game, he has not been

outstanding... Ryan Jones continues as captain? Where does Sam

Warburton fit? Put him on the bench. No, he should start, he is the

captain and he has there been best -- he has been the best for two

years. Do we have any backs? I know it is difficult for you because you

know some of them, but what would you do? It is difficult, they

played well and they won. I am a believer that you do not change a

winning team. Not even have Alun Wyn Jones is fit? He could come on

the bench. Are you happy with the centre partnership? The way we play,

we don't need creation at the moment. We thrive on set pieces,

that is how they want to play. They are given a job to run straight.

The first line-out of the game was to send Jamie Roberts up. We only

need creation when things don't go right. Change, yes or no? Who are

your alternatives? Hook, I played with James Hook for many years, he

is creative, but I don't think you change a winning team. James Hook

4? No, I think it is fine as it is. There are lots of options but there

is a lot of competition. You have Ryan Bevington. What would you do?

How good were the back row yesterday? Very good. How well do

they work together? They worked very well together. But if you get

two world class players available for selection...? As a coach, I

would say you are probably looking at Tipuric ahead of walkers and at

the moment. Will I get shot for that? I don't know! -- you are

probably looking at a pyrrhic ahead of Sam Warburton. It is a massive

call. But I thought that back row worked well together yesterday.

you are saying no change? Warburton on the bench.

Gareth, do you agree with Tom Shanklin that we need creators?

unless we change our philosophy. If we will play the same way we have,

we will go with the guys that we have. You do not need to put

somebody else in the centre unless you will change the way you are

trying to play. The panel could not agree whether Alun Wyn Jones should

be on the bench or the starting line-up. One name we did that here

was Andrew Coombs, what do we do with him? Why would you change it?

He has played well. Ian Evans has played superbly well. Alun Wyn

Jones could come on the bench, he would get some game time. Thank you

very much, Gareth Llewellyn. Back to you, Jason.

You got a ripple of applause! He deserves that.

Great to see once again, Gareth. Time now to going to the Dionys'

den. -- the Lions' den. It is the turn of Kingsley Jones.

The here we go again, the lion's den. Last week, Phil Bennett. Mike

Bennett at half. I remember him into 1008, totally Magners and.

This selected this week, Kingsley In the boiler house: This time

there is also some grey matter to consider. In the back row, this

time, Justin is it so then, instead of all Brian. It is out more even

spread. Ex-Irish, three Welsh and two Scots. Who is emerging as the

captaincy favourite? Yes, who would be the captain? I think it would

have to be Brian O'Driscoll. Right now, at this moment, I think Hogg

has done fantastic for Scotland. He has scored some great tries and

looked very solid. I think the team needs some youth. With sex than at

10, everyone is picking him at 10. Hawaii why? Because he does not

have any challenge. Every level he steps up to play, he makes it. One

thing I will say they got right was the coach. I think he is a great

coach, Farrell. There are no stars in the England team. They have got

star quality. A think a lot of England players will go on the tour.

I won to go back to the Six Nations. What do you think, Italy against

Wales? Is that a potential banana skin? Of course it is. It is never

an easy game. The Italians were fantastic against France in Rome

and the dismal against Holland yesterday. What is your experience

of Italy? They are not very good, to be honest. I think the game

against France was their Cup final. I think Wales will go their full of

confidence. Italy can be competitive for 45-50 minutes. But

I am sure we will be all right. Clyde would words said yesterday

that he won yesterday was a huge victory for Wales, one of their

most important ever? Given the run that they were on I present? Going

to Italy, I think Wales will go and win their quite easily. It is a

tough challenge. I think the starter is always very important. I