07/02/2016 Scrum V

Europe's biggest and best rugby tournament is up and running and

Wales have begun with a nerve shredding draw in Dublin. We have

got a panel tonight full of players who know exactly how to win this

tournament. Put your hands together for Jonathan Davies. Sir Gareth

Edwards. Jonathan Thomas. And our star at the bar is Rhys Williams. We

will also be catching up with Wales' women. Six Nations 2016 is underway.

The start of the 2016 Six Nations. Conor Murray on his own! He is over!

That is such a classy finish. Jack Nowell for the corner. What a try!

Faletau comes away with it and scores. That is the end of it. It is

a draw. Well, we have had a few hours to

recover. That was tense, brutal, have you got any fingernails left? I

have still got them. It was an intense game but I am slightly

frustrated because Wales had an opportunity to win it. They went in

front and then they had a drop goal. I think they may be more

disappointed than Ireland. Do you agree with that, Gareth? Wales have

left Dublin with a point but will they feel aggrieved they did not

come away with a win? They could have, they had chances, but matches

don't always go the way you wish them to go. By the end of the week,

I think Wales will be happy they got a draw because they could easily

have lost as well. Having said that, they got into a position towards the

end of the match where I thought they would only be one winner.

Kissing my sister is what Warren Gatland said after the draw. The one

thing I took away, it was heart stopping and nail-biting but it was

brutal as well. I did not think they could keep up that level of

intensity. It is what we have come to expect from Wales against

Ireland. The last few games have followed the same pattern. From both

teams, I agree, Wales will be the most disappointed. Ireland are team

in transition. They had a lot of injuries. And we are well balanced

and well settled team with a lot of caps. The fact we have got three

home games coming up, it was a really good opportunity to win the

Grand Slam this year, but that has gone. Naturally, there is

disappointment. You don't know what to think, do you? Let's watch it

again. The final whistle did blow to three hours ago. Let's remind

ourselves how it all unfolded. Wales went with two open sides,

meaning a start for Justin Tipuric as Sam moves to number six. Tom

James got his first cap since 2010 and there was a late call-up for

Liam Williams in place of Gareth Anscombe. No Paul O'Connell for

Ireland. Rory Best leading from the front. This Irish side was far from

full strength. Sexton. These senses in combination

-- centres in combination but Wales disrupt the move. But they are

offside. Penalty against Jamie Roberts. Rory

Best to Tommy O'Donnell. Luke Charteris holds him up for a moment.

No advantage, penalty to Ireland. Two out of two for Jonny Sexton.

6-0, Ireland league. The 22 for Wales. Rhys Priestland is on the

touchline. Dan Biggar is coming off. O'Donnell with the line-out. Heaslip

for the line. O'Donnell could not quite get there. It is all Ireland.

They try again. They are over the line. Is it down?

Conor Murray on his own! He is over and scores!

Alun Wyn Jones of the top. Jonathan Davies in midfield. Priestland. Liam

Williams. I think they are going to check the

tackle. Keith Earls is probably a tad lucky to get away with that

first action. A possible three points for Wales to get back in the

game. Rhys Priestland. Sends it high and straight between the posts.

Wales are on the board. Wales go again. Faletau comes away

with it, reaches out and scores! Fantastic work by the Walsh number

eight of the back of the scrum. He controlled it really well and before

you knew it he was over the line. Penalty against Tommy O'Donnell.

Rhys Priestland to level the scores. The tallest man in the Irish side,

Devin Toner, CJ Stander. Wales claim the turnover.

And it is going to be. Penalty advantage to Wales. Priestland. It

is a great clearance by Rhys Priestland.

A good pick-up by Jack McGrath. Conor Murray. Sexton on the wide

loop. A brilliant break. Can they finish? Andrew Trimble. Tom James

with the tackle! Ireland turn the ball over at last.

Huge roar goes up at the Aviva Stadium. Wales disrupt and start the

counter attack. Wales back in possession. And it is the penalty at

last. This is for the lead. Rhys

Priestland. That is a marvellous kick.

New scrum half, Lloyd Williams. The man whose left boot delivered the

kick that beat England. Not so good on that occasion.

What a kick by Jonny Sexton. We are all square.

So that was the match, this is the Verdict.

We are a little bit flat at the moment. A disappointing first 20

minutes and after that we got ourselves back into the game.

Frustrated we got ourselves in front and then gave away a soft penalty

with a bit of inaccuracy. We are probably a little bit unfortunate

with the result. Wales probably had more of the ball and the field

position. In the second half, turning 13-10, they would have felt

confident because there was a breeze out there. Once they went 16-13

ahead, we probably were fortunate. A win would have set us up nicely for

this championship. If you want to win the Six Nations, you have got to

get a big away scalp and we were hoping this was it, but Ireland have

been champions the last two years, so a draw here is a good result from

a neutral's perspective, but we are ambitious and want to win the title.

Wales come and they are physical and you know you have got to front up

and for the large part we did that. There are a lot of sore bodies in

there. That red wave, when they get the ball, they keep coming at you.

And when you have the ball you know you have to keep going at them

because they have dangerous players like Sam and Justin in there. Yes,

sore bodies. Perhaps on reflection a fair result for both teams. Apart

from the weather conditions, we both tried to place in rugby, which was

positive. I think Rory Best summed it up best.

There will be lots of sore bodies tomorrow. It was a brutal match. No

one typified that more than Jamie Roberts, who put a heck of a shift

in today. Man of the Match for you? I think he was up there with Faletau

and Stander, who got the Man of the Match. He had a word with Henshaw

when he got up there as well. He carried the ball as well. A typical

effort from Jamie, but I thought Faletau was immense as well, the way

he took his try. But Jamie was up there as one of the candidates.

Standout man for you, Gareth? I think everybody has said it already.

Jamie Roberts was quite outstanding. Through defence. We are all looking

for an attacking performance from Wales but we are talking about a

centre having a great game as a defensive player. His tackling was

immense. Thank God I am not playing the modern game! But fully deserved.

We talk about the character shown by Wales and we have talked about this

a lot over the years. You have been part of that squad and Warren

Gatland but their heads never dipped, their composure did not

desert them when they went 13-0 down. That is a hallmark of this

side. Definitely. I think Warburton referenced it after the game. Two

years ago they went down and they almost caved in. I think the site

has progressed a lot and it is the DNA of the side. It is what we are

always very proud of with this team, the defensive effort, the breakdown

work, the line speed in defence. You can never questioned that about this

team. One big positive was the scrum. They were eyebrows raised

when Rob Evans was picked ahead of Gethin Jenkins. That is probably the

special mention I would give. Along with Faletau and Jamie, this was a

massive Test match for him, being picked in front of a 120 cap,

three-time British Lion, and he has delivered. It is the best the Welsh

scrum has been for some time. Taulupe Faletau, you mentioned him

earlier. He does everything so good and does all the dirty work. He did

a fantastic tackle on Zebo when they went outside and I think they lost

control of the ball in the scrum. They could have gone for the penalty

try. But it's squirted out and he had a lot to do and he finished it.

He is just a great player. That is something you can pick out when he

scores tries, but it is all the other work he does every other

minute of the game. He has got great feat. When he is under pressure, he

has got a friend, he has got the agility to get outside someone. I

think he is the complete package. What about the back row balance? A

round of applause for Taulupe Faletau. What about the balance of

the back row today? Dan Lydiate, according to Warren Gatland, was fit

and ready to start but he made the decision to go with Justin Tipuric.

Was it a good balance today? I think it was the right decision because

Warburton has not played much and Dan Lydiate has not played much so

you would not go into a Test match with two guys who have not played

much rugby. Justin Tipuric has been fantastic for two years. It was not

a compromise. And it was one of those games where it was not the

ideal game for Tipuric to come into his own in the wider channels and to

show his ball-handling skills but he still showed very well. I think they

targeted the ruck area. With two openside flanker is, they were only

seven turnovers each side. I think Ireland did their homework. They

held them up in the tackle but when they went to ground, they cleared

out straightaway. It was very difficult for Tipuric or Warburton

to get the turnovers because they were so precise in their cleaning

out. On the edge, they cleaned out anyway, Ireland. CJ Stander looked

good and they did not miss Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien like they

might have. I think he was probably, by default, through injuries, he has

probably put his hand up to be there for the next ten years. The Irish

teams are always blessed with a lot of talent but I agree with Jonathan,

Ireland would have put so much emphasis on the breakdown because

they knew Tipuric and Warburton would be playing and you could see

in the first 20 minutes, they were blowing... They slowed a lot of ball

down. I want to ask you about the tip tackle. Some outrage on social

media he should have been yellow carded. What did you make of it? It

could have changed the complexion of the game. I think he was somewhat

unfortunate. When I saw him there, he reminds me of a salmon I once

caught which I almost lost. Liam looked to be trying to get out of

the tackle and I think the guided well but you can't drop people these

days. To the letter of the law, it is a yellow card. But I thought that

the referee did exceptionally well. You have got to take every tackle on

its own merit. He slipped out, he did not control him going down, but

Priestland goes for the intercept and how many times have we seen

someone go for the intercept, yellow card. I think that is pathetic as

well. I think he referee became sensibly with empathy towards the

game and I thought, he could have given the yellow card, but it was

the right decision. I am interested to get your thoughts on the Wales

attack and what has changed. Use vote to Rob Howley last week about

how it needs to evolve. What did you see that might encourage you? I

think they are trying to get wide. This is one example of it. They have

got to engage in that defender. I think that is Stander. If you look

at what happens, the first two go through on a dummy and then Tipuric

drops back outside the centre, outside Liam Williams. The three men

they had as an overlap, none of them are used, and the guy they should

have held up makes the tackle on Jonathan Davies. They are trying to

play wide but they are not engaging the defenders. If the donor runner

-- dummy runner is running, you have got to act as if you are a dummy

runner, not just wander in front of someone. And I don't understand when

you have got an extra man, white using as a decoy? I remember a try

against Wales at the Millennium Stadium a few years ago, they were a

fullback line of forwards and everyone of them handle the ball and

put the winger in for a try. If they are trying to play that, they have

got to engage defenders, otherwise they will drift and push you into

touch. Unfortunately, we had 25 phases today and I am not sure if we

looked like scoring. Sometimes you need someone to go like this and

break the line and once you get behind the gain line, the defensive

are slightly disorganised. Like Shane did now won again. Maybe

Matthew Morgan on the bench to come on and do something. Once you break

the line, you have got a chance of doing something. They are trying but

they have got to be a bit sharper. I spoke to Gwyn Jones after the game.

He was commentating in Dublin today. I asked him what Wales could have

done differently. What we will do is look at the way we attack. We have

got a very good scrum, the line-out was very good, so with a good set

piece and the powerful middle of the field, two Lions, perhaps we did not

play in a on the superiority we have there. I think perhaps we were

trying to overplay a little bit. We were passing the ball a lot, long

passes, and perhaps we are trying to develop a more open style but that

does isolated out wide, especially if we are going to leave hawkers and

second rows in wider channels. They have got to be as outer bull as

people like Brodie Retallick and Dane Coles in open spaces. Those are

skills that are going to take a long time to develop. But it is good to

see that we are developing and evolving our style of play. Much was

made before the game about the fact Wales were picking two genuine

severance, two specialist open side. How did you see the breakdown today?

We were on the back foot for a lot of the first half. They were

recycling the ball very quickly. We were not quite as effective as we

usually are in the tackle area. Sam Warburton 12 penalties. I am not

sure Justin Tipuric one any. He is an attacking threat. I like the

balance of a six and a seven. It would be harsh on Justin Tipuric to

leave him out after one game but we want to see him with ball in hand at

acting. And I don't think we see is the best of Sam Warburton when he is

blind side. He is at his best when he is the first arrival at the

tackle area. He wins penalties. But we have so many good players in that

area it would be harsh to leave anyone out. I like a six and a

seven. Thank you for your time and enjoy the Irish hospitality.

One man who has got very fond memories of playing against Ireland

in Dublin is our star at the bar. He made his step you against them in

2000, Rhys Williams. As this is a milestone, we thought

we would delve into the archives and remind ourselves of that day in

2000. You were a little bit more freshfaced. What memories do you

have of this day? Are they still vivid? Without a doubt. The best day

in any rugby player's career is their first cap. Ireland can be a

graveyard but we came away with a victory and I managed a couple of

breaks as well. It is a day I will remember for ever. It was an

interesting day for fullbacks today as well because Liam Williams had

travelled as a reserve with the squad, he was thrust straight in

after just 60 minutes of rugby. How would he have felt? I think it would

just have been excitement. When you are thrown in that late in the day,

they probably made the call last night, so we would have had the

night to think about it, but you have got to go wholeheartedly. He is

that type of player anyway. You saw out in Connacht, he wants to get his

hands on the ball and make an impact. He made a couple of good

runs, took a couple of high balls, but was not given enough space for

us to see the dangerous runner he is. He was the top carrier and top

in terms of meat is made with 95. Fair play to perform like that. As

an attacking fullback yourself, would you prefer to see the ball in

the hands of players like Liam Williams more often? Without a

doubt. Perhaps in the backline today, we did not look as crisp and

maybe as in packed full as we can. We took the ball quite deep and with

the way Ireland defended, they drifted and in that case you have

got to take the ball to the line little bit more. Those missed passes

behind players really do not engage defenders so for your 15, 11 and 14

to have some room, you have got to engage in sight defenders and get

flat. Briefly, Rhys Priestland came on after 20 minutes. He was probably

not expecting that. We thought he had retired for 18 months. I was

really pleased for him. He would have been nervous coming on. I think

a lot of Welsh supporters were nervous for him. But he had a great

second half. Really pressure kicks and he nailed them. It will do him

the world of good to have that performance under his belt because

we may need him for the next few games. We don't know how Dan Biggar

is. It is great for us and we need to have pressure on places for our

team to do well throughout the tournament. We will catch up again

before the end of the tournament. We will turn our attention now to

yesterday's games and the new England era under Eddie Jones

started with a trip north to face a resurgent Scotland.

Scotland did not pick up a single point in last year's Six Nations and

they had not scored a try against England at Murrayfield since 2014.

And the spotlight was on another battle of sixes and sevens.

Scotland's John Hardie and John Barclay against England's James

Haskell and Chris Robshaw. And would-be home side tried to wind up

the new skipper, Dylan Hartley? And would he bike?

There is Nowell. Chipping and chasing himself. Stuart Hogg under

pressure. It is a five metre scrum to England. Taken over.

No quarter given by either side here. Danny Care complains. Billy

Vunipola four meat is short. England still have it. Danny Care gives it

to the big men. And Kruis gets over for the try. George Chris has scored

for England! A big squeeze coming in from

Scotland this time and trying to do something but Billy Vunipola just

grabbed and went. The scrum is in a bit of bother. Joe Launchbury did

well there as well. But Scotland have the penalty right in front of

the posts. The decision of hanging onto the ball.

Greig Laidlaw draws his side to within one point.

No one is stood in the pocket at the moment. Nobody the drop goal yet.

Not yet thinking of it. Giving it to forwards again. Richie Gray. He is

there now. Drifting back for the drop goal for Finn Russell and it is

wide. It is an ugly one. Scotland getting closer now. With

every inch and yard made, the decibel level rises. Greig Laidlaw

again digs and feeds Russell. Slammed back by Dan Cole and Kruis.

They go again through Bennett. And a penalty in the end to England. Phase

after phase. A shake of the head from Greig Laidlaw but well earned

for the defence. Deep into the Scotland 22. James

Haskell. Two men take him. Richie Gray grabs Chris Robshaw but England

making ground. Out to Nowell and Jack Noble in the corner for the

try! What a try for England! -- Jack Nowell.

Brown kicks long. A little bit of space for Stuart Hogg. Tries to

escape his way through. Loses it but it is a penalty to Scotland.

And England still have it. How it will go from George Ford. England

have won the Calcutta Cup once again.

I always thought we were going to win the game. The only way we were

not going to win the game was if we did something silly. We want to move

the ball more. We have been practising that. That is pragmatic

football. I think the game was there to be

won. That is the hard fact of the situation. If we get ourselves in a

similar situation, we have got to nail it.

The Calcutta Cup is in England's Cabinet again and this is the start

of a new dawn for England. He referred to it as a pragmatic

performance. Were you impressed by what you saw? What is new? We have

that every year from England. Having said that, they looked a bit more

efficient. After the World Cup they looked in disarray. Unfortunately,

they looked a bit as if they had worked a bit harder together, the

forwards looked very effective and I like the runners behind. Not that

they created a tremendous amount of openings. But they looked strong and

as the season develops, they get to know one another, I think those

English backs, especially Brown at fullback looking for work, could be

very effective. Billy Vunipola, the official man of

the match. He was sensational yesterday. Did he inspire England to

that win? Definitely. With a number eight that can make yards in

contact, it is impressive. He is a big man. Great footwork as well. He

can off-load in the tackle. Defence is so tied in a modern game. With

someone like that it is massive. You see that with New Zealand all the

time with Kieran Read. It is it for the team if you go like that. He

still has a Welsh accent. How did we let him slip away? Gutted. I spoke

to Andy Nichol. For then the expectation was quite high, in

Scotland. Quarterfinal in the World Cup. As the cover said, fibres

before half-time and after half-time, they had pressure and did

not turn it into points. They missed a kick and drop goal. They had a

couple of chances. If you look at the second try, it was very well

worked by England. They went through a couple of forwards and scored the

try. They had to cut the mistakes out and if they do, they are going

to be very dangerous. You cannot underestimate them. That is just

walking through defence. This is lovely hands. He comes in and leaves

a winner. Your winger, leaving the covering defenders and taking the

inside man. It is easier getting the inside man with the winger. If they

cut those mistakes out they have the ability to trouble teams. Scotland,

they said it was the toughest game they played in the World Cup. If

they cut out those mistakes and keep that pressure and turn it into

points they will be difficult to beat. It is disappointment they did

not have the composure to win. Everybody hoped it might be the year

after coming within a whisker of a semifinal place in the World Cup but

they have got serious attacking weapons. Stuart Hogg was great

again. And he is very quick. No doubt about it. He can play back and

on the wing as well. There was that one chance. At this level, when you

give those chances, they are few and far between and you have to take

them. I agree with Jonathan. Do not underestimate Scotland. They will

come down, they have lost their first game, they were confident of

winning. It will be disappointing for them. They have got their work

cut out. They can be defeated but they are no marks. The thanks they

got so close to that semifinal in the World Cup, it should be noted.

-- the fact they got. We have them next week on Saturday in Cardiff.

More about Scotland later. The under 20 team later, opening the account

against Ireland on Friday. Hoping to make it four in a row. Against the

men in green. COMMENTATOR: Spotting space on the

other side. Nicely worked. O'Brien. No, he does not quite make the

corner. A great cover tackle from Dan Jones. Over the sideline. It

looks as though Gallagher may have got there. Declan Smith digging in.

Phillips has another go. Gallagher with the tackle. They are so close.

Can they reach it? They can indeed! Again, Wales are knocking on the

door. A hard battering ram, first time. Lovely slip. A very well

worked try for Adam Beard. Declan Smith just directing things around

him. Stolen by the replacement, Gavin Brown. Intercepted by Dan

Jones. That is an unexpected gift. Wales will take that. What odds on a

line-out try here? With Kevin Brown standing off, especially. There he

is. Out catching himself. Thundering through the middle. The try has been

given very early indeed. Morgan Williams half turned. That means it

was meant to go in the air but charged down and back into the hands

of scrum-half. Could the room on the outside. Past it a little bit.

Thomas bounces his opposite number back inside. And that could be the

killer blow for Wales! Phillips tackling low on Gallagher. Kerins

goes in. O'Brien. The tackle comes in from Morgan Williams. This time

it is quicker ball. Eventually there is space to cross over. A bit rusty

in parts, in the first 20 minutes but when we got the speed and

intensity I was really pleased. The commitment of the players in defence

in particular, it was a good start. It was a great start.

Congratulations to the under 20 team. Full win in a row against

Ireland. You can see them on club rugby at half past six next Friday

night. Could the women do the same? They were also facing the Irish

counterparts. The Welsh women opened their

campaign with a trip to Donnybrook against the defending champions,

Ireland and they were looking to improve on the fifth position from

last season. After winning in a friendly the week before,

expectations were high. Very excited about this campaign. We learned a

lot from last year and we have a big opportunity to see what we can do

for five games. This team has attacking threat and they are not

afraid to have a go. Quite excited to see what happens. First one we

run over. It is clean, processed, Claire. Attack, composure on the

ball. Last time we came out of the blocks firing. I want the same

intent. Like we said if we are not set, but your foot on it and wait.

Do that head, OK. And it was Wales who made the better start, taking

the lead thanks to a penalty from Robin Wilkins, as Ireland went off

their feet after a ruck inside their own 22. That was quickly cancelled

out with a response in kind for the home side. Ireland were getting into

the ascendancy in the territory stakes and after taking the lead

with another penalty, Wales went down to 14 and the pressure was

telling, with Island crossing with the first try with the centre,

breaking through in midfield and having the pace to go all the way.

Breaks converted, making it 10-3. -- Briggs. The Irish increase their

lead with Sophie Spence powering over to give Ireland a 15-3

advantage going into the break. Two more penalties in the second half,

eventually leading to a victory, 21-3. Welsh, Scotland one week

today. -- next for the Welsh. The line speed put us under a lot of

pressure and it made it quite difficult. Disappointed, obviously,

because we have a good result in the friendly but could not convert it.

We had to put that behind us and focus on the next game. It was

unlucky, to the women. Sharni Williams is with us in the clubhouse

tonight. You defeated Ireland a fortnight ago. Was it a totally

different side yesterday? The Irish have gone out and done their

homework. They made all the wrongs right on Saturday. They came out

with a lot more. Better defence. The line speed was on key and they put

us under a lot of pressure. We heard Rachel Taylor saying Wales were

hoping to play an adventurous style this year. But you could not get

your hands on the ball. Possession was a problem. Something to work on?

We could not seem to get past two, three phases. The pressure the Irish

put upon us was something else. We struggled to deal with it and we

need to go away and go back to the basics in the contact area. And

string some more phases together and get that intensity again. Four

players on debut. It is good to see new blood at this level. What

experience an issue against a more experienced Irish side? I would not

say so. They really put their hands up and played with a lot of intent.

They went forward and the girls coming from the bench, they added

value to the team. I would not say it was a problem. Scotland are up

next, on Sunday next week. What are you going to be working on this

week? Playing under pressure. The contact area, especially. Playing

under that pressure and turning that pressure around and getting

momentum, being able to play. Programme macro is right the hide

you. Best of luck and we hope to have you back in the clubhouse next

week. -- we are right the hide you. -- right behind you.

We will go back to the men's tournament. Six Nations kicked off

in Paris as France took on Italy. A new era in France with the French,

with a flourish under the new coach? They picked four new players,

including the sevens specialist, who had not played 15 aside since 2013.

Italy had the same coach and same captain, Sergio Perez so. 115 caps,

not out. Here come the drop goal attempt. He

likes it. Well struck. Italy had taken the lead at the stats to

France. He began it all. He looks very dangerous. Doesn't he just?

Jules Plisson ongoing pass. Great tackle. And he has opened the French

account in his first test match. France have men on the floor. This

could be set up for a very sweet drive for the line. Italy powering

the way over. A trifle Italy. Parisse. -- a try for Italy. Yes, it

was. Taken quickly. Up the blindside. Parisse. For the

line and he is so close! That is a great tackle. He has not made the

line. It is a try for the man of the moment. Carlo scores. A real chance

now for France. Cranking it up inside the 22. That is in. He is in.

Try for the French winger. It is one of the workhouse

performers. It is over. It is good. He looked as

cool as anything and has just put his team into the lead.

Parisse. He is back on his feet. Yes, he was tackled. Another very

close decision. Was he tackled? Well, it is a high tackle. It is a

high tackle. Penalty should have gone to the Tanya 's. -- the

Italians. He was held. This is a big, big kick. That is a monster

kick. Huge, huge kick and France are in the lead. 23-21. Parisse still

does not believe it was a penalty. STUDIO: First game for France and it

was a victory and it was fairly underwhelming. That was the biggest

talking point. Contentious penalty. The play, taking it at 54 metres but

should it have been a penalty? It was a high tackle, first of all. It

hits him in the... That is one heck of a kick.

Everybody's expecting the same style as Toulouse. Getting the Ford on the

back line and if it came of it would have been exciting. They have the

right to go wide and the Italians played well. They stood up, scoring

a try. Missing a couple of easy tries which would have put them in

front. I do not know about that rock goal at the end. You need somebody

to get out of the way, should have been in that position, he took it on

himself. The Italians impress me. France have the potential to become

good but they have got to do the basics first. They have got a

massive pack. Gareth Thomas was in the chair last week. And he played

and to lose a couple of seasons and was very, entry about the coach,

saying that he would... We have got a bit of Parisse coming up. You are

a former back row. You talked about a couple of sensational number eight

players. I think Billy Vunipola was the best for me but you could do a

whole show about this. He is so good. You almost do not talk about

him because you expect that performance every week. In terms of

the drop goal, there were some raised eyebrows. The question I

would ask, where was the ten? Why did he not put his hand up? I think

he probably deserved it. He was probably the only one, I will put my

hand up and try and win for the team. Some people accuse him of

being a glory hunter but he did not seem to be getting in the pocket and

taking it. He had came off for clap. -- cramp. He fell into position and

sitting in the pocket and nailing the drop goal, that is what you are

paid to do. Parisse, if he gets that, you are the Prime Minister, or

president of Italy! Playing in Paris in the, and almost a drop goal. Get

your code, go on. That is it! -- get your coat. That really would have

taken the biscuit. Would have been brilliant. While we are on the

subject of drop goals, it was a bit of a theme this weekend. Three were

missed which could have affected the outcome of matches. Russell, Parisse

and Rhys Priestland as well. Jonathan Davies, we will see some of

yours in a minute. You still have the record for the most rock goals

scored by a Welsh player. -- drop goals. The next one is a bit better.

As a stand-off, that is what you do. You are directing the play forward,

into position. You tell the scrum-half, when I am ready, I will

take it. And you can be hero or zero. That is your responsibility. I

think it should have been directed and it was not. Parisse stood up and

had a crack at it. The other two, they were set up perfectly. Russell

was in the right position. Priestland was in the right

position. But they both snatched at it. If you pick your head up

quickly, you have got to strike through it. As soon as it was hit

you knew it was going over. You have got another 20 years to think about

it, haven't you? We are running out of time. We will park it there and

talk about France another time. So many cameras covering the Six

Nations and we do not miss much and it is time for this week's did you

see that. As the line-out? Why not use this handy remote control. Dylan

Hartley learning some manners. Sorry! Take note, Owen Farrell.

Jamie, really! That is better. John Humphrys realising he forgot to get

some milk. Do not panic. Russell has got a list.

We are back at the bar with Rhys Williams. We took a trip down memory

lane looking at your debut against the Irish. A more recent history,

this one. We have got Scotland next and that is a fixture with fond

memories for you. Fortunately we had a great start against Scotland in

2005. We were coming back into it and a long pass and I was on the

receiving end and I had a jog of 80 yards up to the posts. Slowed down a

bit, didn't you? I was struggling with my calf. He gave up the ghost

and I knew it was mine. The next fixture is in Cardiff. Would he make

any changes after what you saw today? Depending on injuries, I

would not. We know how physical it was today. The players will be

recovering until Wednesday, when they are fully recovered from this

game. It is a real turnaround on the international tournament. Key for me

is recovery. If there was anyone I was getting to go with, Warburton

and Tipuric against Scotland. We have to make sure we are sharper

behind and we had to take their chances. The forwards had so much

possession and we have to be sharper to unleash the likes of Tom James,

George North and Liam Williams. If Liam Williams retains his place as

you suggest a T-shirt, he is against Stuart Hogg. Arguably the most spiky

and confrontational characters in world rugby. It could be a head to

head to relish. Rugby fans wants to see that. Players with the ball in

hand, having a go and doing things that are different from what we see

Whee Kim and we can. It could be a great head to head. -- week in and

week out. Let's hope Scotland kicked badly and they have enough space to

run. Looking forward to it. Scotland's next, as we have

discussed. Sean has had a look at where this game might be won and

lost. Scotland had limbs is threatening

play against England but poor execution and decision-making let

them down. -- were threatening. The raft rail to use and if Wales can

get the detailed preparation spot on, they can exploit it. -- they

have got frailties. They showed ingenuity in attack from the

line-outs. Hardy instrumental in this. They are looking for weakness

in the Welsh system. Especially from them all, bringing in Tommy Seymour.

But they are deployed of ideas in the red zone and England found it

easy to defend and sorted to missed chances like this. Wales will have

to be aware of interception. Then Russell gets interception and he

surely should have passed to Stuart Hart. They had a rapid back three

and on the turnover they are very quick. As Hogg showed last year,

each carried 18 times, over 100 metres yesterday. Wales had

opportunities in the wider channel to attack. Scotland, drifting on the

inside and out on the outside. Leaving a lot of space for the Welsh

back free to attack. If we can send numbers at the line, the outside

backs are turning their hits in towards the runners. Leading space

on the outside. Look how Seymour jumps out of the line. Space for

Jack Nowell. The result of that, in the wider channels, the full-back as

to commit himself, even more space behind for a kick and chase. If

Wales can get some play between the forward and back, like Billy

Vunipola for England yesterday, they can exploit the outer channels. Look

how the defenders planted their feet and now they are in trouble. Watson

has seen this. Kicking into the space. Hogg has two commit to the

front line. This is also an opportunity against Scotland.

Russell found himself in the backfield. He is challenged by the

England outside back. And who could forget the miss timed challenge on

Dan Biggar at Murrayfield, resulting in the yellow card? Disorganised

defence and again, the outer channel, Scotland's turning in,

leading to a two on one and that is all the Welsh need at international

level. A bit of use before we move on about

the injury with Dan Biggar. He was in a moon boot after the game as a

precaution. We will find out if he is fit and available for selection.

We will talk about Scotland selection later. Picking up on that

point made by Sean about how the Scottish three quarters defended,

maybe you would like to see Wales get the balls out in the wider

channel as soon as. There is no point in shuffling out. A couple of

examples here. If you are drifting, you're drifting together. And if you

are blitzing, you are blitzing together. A piece of rope, one goes

in and the whole lot does. It is a good parts, you are defeated.

Sometimes you have not got a clue where you are and you have got to

spot that and gaps will open up. Tommy Seymour loves the

interception. He will go for it. It is all nothing. It is 14 points,

really. If you can taunt him, it is like a matador, trying to get it to

come at you, out of the line, you are hitting the shoulder. They have

two variable angles and watch what they are doing. They had to adapt.

Because they have varied defensive patterns. That is where we must

improve. We must improve on the attacking play. That is what we have

to work on. And I think hopefully if all the hard work is done going

forward, we can create the space and we have to be clinical and score the

tries. We are blessed in Wales with some very good scrum halves. Gareth

Davies started in the absence of Rhys Webb 's with Williams coming on

later. Contrasting styles. Lloyd with the slick delivery. Would you

change for Scotland? No, to be fair, Gareth has played well almost every

time he has played for Wales. I thought that ball coming back was a

bit slow today. Every scrum-half needs a platform. Going forward, it

is easier. Wales can do it against Scotland. Gareth is very capable,

very good at sniffing out tries. He is excellent. He might not have been

at his best today but having said that, I do not think he played badly

at all. Just not as good as what he normally is. A lot of people had to

play a part in that for the scrum-half. I would expect Gareth to

be in there. I might bring in summary like Matthew Morgan on the

bench, maybe. Then we can very tactics a bit more. -- somebody.

Then we could have more effectiveness in attacking play.

What about the back row? We heard about the balance and you touched on

it, would you make any changes? Is it the best game for Warburton and

Tipuric together? Four into three do not go. Having quality players, you

can go horses for courses. You want to play Tipuric at the Scottish

game, more of an open game and more possession than against the Irish.

The Irish were very tight and it was a close affair. In general terms,

everybody talks about Wales involving the attacking game. For

Wales to evolve the attacking game, you need to Tipuric to be part of

that plan. He can do things other players cannot. 20 seconds left.

Your predictions in one word? Wales. Wales. Wales. There it is, Wales!

Round of applause. Back on track. CROWD CHEERS And that is all we have

time for. Thanks to my guests, Jonathan Davies, Gareth Edwards,

Jonathan Thomas, and over in the bar, Mr Rhys Williams and Sharni

Williams for the Welsh women as well! Thank you for coming. That is

all we have time for. Wales have drawn the opening game in the six

nations but we are still undefeated. Scotland next in Cardiff in six

days. Just five more sleeps. We will see you next week. Good night.

Can he score? It would be a miracle if he could. He will get the!

Jonathan Davies with a drop goal and he has done it again. And that

surely must be the score that wins the game for Wales. Shane Williams

has won the most hotly contested game. I cannot believe it.