31/01/2016 Scrum V

Wales have their first try. Try number 240 Brian. It is an

extraordinary game. What a drive for Ireland. Wales are on the charge to

the Six Nations Championship. Ireland have try number three. This

title may be various. -- may be various. This is the trophy they are

all fighting for. We have Grand Slam winners, put your hands together for

Gareth Thomas! Martyn Williams! Over the bar we have Rachel Taylor! We

will catch up with Rachel and the cup team, Tom Phillips is here. We

will hear from all the guys over the next hour and here is what else we

can look forward to. We catch up with the great Redeemer, Graham

Henry might be re-enjoying his retirement, he has been keeping a

close eye on Wales and looking for a bite. The Welsh Minister for defence

is good at putting up barriers, we tried to breach the defence wall

offshore networks. Being a coach is like being a parent, sometimes you

have to give some love and set some rules. We took a frenzied look at

Wales 's first opponents. And after gorging on the World Cup, is Eddie

Butler is still hungry for more? Welcome to the programme, a lot to

get through. Warren Gatland is about today charge of his ninth campaign

in charge of Wales and a couple of newcomers about to the fray. We

caught up with all the and captains. -- all the coaches and captains.

Calmness before the Six Nations storm. Wales, much fancied. You have

to say Wales would be favourites. Then, France will be dangerous and

England will be confident they can push. England are the bookies

favourites, the new boss is comfortable with attack. You only

have pressure when you do not know what you are doing. As I said to the

players, because I am on the straight and I have less pressure

which is what we want, because if we lose a game, it will be because you

have an Australian coach. That is a great thing for our team. A new

captain as well. The only thing he said to me was get yourself into the

team, be the blessed player you can in your position and that is what I

am trying to do. I want to look forward, do well, lead the guys, be

part of a good team. I am excited about that. The French coach picks

new leader for his revolution. That is where the weight of Italy's hopes

will set and Ireland are first in line for Wales and another new

skipper. From an Arab point of view, we know it will be a difficult

Championship. It always is. Whether injured players coming back, France

and England with new coaches, Italy, we know how dangerous they can be

and Scotland have really grown and seemed to be finding a lot of form

under their manager. It is hard to put a winner on it. Next week we

will try to beat competitors against what is probably the team that have

the most continuity going into the competition. Yes, Wales have

continuity and consistency, the same coaching team and they still have

Sam, his fifth Championship as captain. I think it is an important

point. I knew coach in England and a new coach in France, Wales have been

together eight years, same personnel and coaching setup, that must give

them an advantage. In some ways. If you look at since Warren Gatland has

come in he has won 75% of those games, that is a great strike rate.

On the flip side,, we had a brand-new coach and we went on to

win the Grand Slam, that can make England and France dangerous, they

are unpredictable. It evens out. We chatted with the new coach of

France, he is a stern blow, he was a coach at Toulouse and everyone seems

to say he will reinvigorate the site, bring back the flare. I think

like a lot of teams, especially with the French, you cannot over coach a

French team and what he gave me, I gave me the whole ethos of the team

was that he respects you as a player and respects your ability and he

would send us out there prepared prepared to play rugby. We would

have basic game plan but whatever we saw he would make sure that we had

the backing to do what we felt. The thing with brands is that is what

they want, a French team that is unpredictable and has the right to

go out and play and that is dangerous. For me, he is a perfect

signing for the French team at a time where they need someone to save

take off the shackles, let us go back to what we are known for. It is

not too late and appointment? To lose have been in decline since July

at. Yeah. It is the right time. A disappointing last few Six Nations.

Like the unpredictability of going into the tournament, it could be the

best thing. We talked about Wales and potentially them having the

best, it could be the best or worst thing and I believe having played in

France, that the French players thrive on unproductive ability and

this tournament is unpredictable. They have Italy at home and then

Ireland. Dylan Hartley, all the talk is about him and Eddie Jones. All

the headlines are about England and Wales have slid in under the radar.

What about his appointment? Dylan Hartley? His record is not great

when he played for a pampered and disciplinary wives but what he

introduced there when he became captain was a European Cup final,

great success that the club was lacking and by all accounts he is a

great guy of the field. He is a bond and Eddie looks at him as the most

capped England player, he is the most experience so why not make him

captain? Here's not offended that much when he played for England.

Wales are not under the radar. In the role of a captain, we all watch

the television, his role is beyond that. It comes to the changing rooms

before and after, the ethos in the hotel, how players stress, how they

act, you are the leader of all that. The responsibility is not just about

making the decisions during the game, it is a lifestyle choice. What

about keeping your cool? People will target him up they will wind him up.

He is a great scrummager and brilliant at the White at -- at the

line-out. He answered that. It was brilliant and England went on to

win. I do not think he can get into his head in the international, there

is more passion at club level. With England, you get together every now

and again. The focus is on England to play well as a team. More focus

on Eddie Jones than Dylan Hartley. What about the appointment of Eddie

Jones, the first non-English coach to coach England? When I was

playing, we had Mitch and it was strange to begin with, listening to

a voice from overseas but he was great and he drilled us well. All

professional of the players are used to different voices and they get on

with the job. Eddie comes with a good CV, lots of experience, what he

has to do is inspire this England side that has gone a little bit

stale, motivate them and give them great competition for places and

stimulate them in training and buy it seems from what he is talking

about, he is talking a good game. He was on the charm offensive. We took

a trip down to see what they think. The only team to have won World Cup

's back-to-back, the All Blacks lead while the rest follow. The Rugby

World Cup provided a wake-up call for the Northern Hemisphere, noting

from north of the equator made the semi-finals. The Gulf has always

been there about how deep is it? Scrum five headed south to catch up

with a familiar face, in Wales he was the great Redeemer, in New

Zealand, he is Sir Graham Henry. I think the All Blacks have been the

best side they have ever been. They kept on developing and have been

together a long time. I think it is hard to judge the rest of the world

against the All Black team right now. This team has developed over a

long period of time, six guys just retired and most of them played 100

games. Henry is enjoying life after rugby but he returned to Wales

during the World Cup and he liked what he saw. I was proud of the

Welsh team and the way they played, because they kept on coming back

when they should not have. What they did in the World Cup was thankless,

the attack game, how do they scored tries? Look at the players, they

have the players. George North is as good winger as anyone in the world.

I thought he was outstanding. One of the players of the tournament. The

players are there, but as a team are not pulling together as an attacking

unit and that is the big challenge. I do not want to be critical but in

that game against Australia, they had opportunities to score,

Australia were down to 13 players and you wonder about the

intelligence of the attacking game on the field. There are guys trying

to use their abroad rather than their brains to score tries and I

guess that is perhaps the next step forward. What is the next app for

the rest of the northern hemisphere teams? There is a view down south

that they have been left standing still. I was a little surprised and

disappointed at the performances of some of the northern hemisphere

teams in the World Cup. Particularly England. I watch that team play and

I am mesmerised by the lack of athleticism in their forwards, the

lack of skill, the lack of fitness, and I think that is where Southern

Hemisphere teams are ahead of the northern hemisphere teams. We saw

that at the World Cup in a player like Joel Moody who off-loads well

and try scored by the pose, I could not have seen and England prop who

would have the ability to run at the pace or with the skill of the fourth

or fifth or sixth prop in New Zealand. The focus now is on winning

the Six Nations but there is a bigger picture. At three Test series

against the All Blacks in New Zealand is looming. But with the

retirement of several talismanic Kiwis, Wales have a golden

opportunity to take their biggest strike forward. The Welsh have got a

chance. They have got the best team on paper in Europe. If you pick our

Lions team, there will be a lot of Welshmen in that team, the Lions are

picked the following year, so the result to play for. If they are ever

going to beat the All Blacks, this is the time. I think Wales have a

real opportunity to make their mark and it is probably a very important

to from a northern hemisphere prospective to show the world that

the gap is not as big as they think it is or others. Martin, Graham

Henry was on the whole componentry about what he has seen from Wales

but he did mention the criticism which seems to rear its head that we

favour brawn over brain and lack a bit of that intelligence in our

attacking play, is that fair? Results show that and the World Cup

showed that. The semifinalists, yes, I tend to agree, the game has been

professional for 20 years of the first ten I think we used to lose

games because who were not fit enough and I think we have gone

overboard. We forget it is still rugby and still being able to

convert. It is difficult to argue against them. You can only play with

what you have got, if you have the physicality and the power, you have

to use it. Then it is down to playmakers and if you look at the

Welsh side, they have not had that sense, Jimmy Robertson has a great

job and was sensational last season and has been the man of Lions tour

's -- Jamie Roberts. Without a playmaker, you cannot do that. To be

that playmaker, it is never going to happen. I do think we have Scott

Williams, Liam Williams, Ken Cohen 's as well, Matthew Morgan, these

are all French players, we have taken big people and are teaching

them to play rugby -- Ken Owens. In the Southern Hemisphere, they take

skilful players and make them big. Some interesting stars came from a

report post-World Cup, Southern Hemisphere 's side score 50 more

tries than penalties and it is the reverse for the northern hemisphere.

We are less adventurous stop I have gone over some of the games of last

season and the Six Nations particularly Ireland and Wales, was

one of the best games I have seen. There was great skill, great attack

and defence, great thought, some brilliant smart rugby played, we

have to accept that what we are, where we are, how we do it is the

way we do. Wales cannot be New Zealand because we do not have the

same personnel. The final day and we saw taste of it was absolutely

sensational, edge of the seat stuff, we were so excited. We were in Rome

and we watch the games. Why can't it be like that all the time? The last

weekend, it was as if we had to transgress many points as we can and

the shackles were off. It is safety first image first couple of games.

Wales had to put as many points on Italy as they could and Ireland had

to put as many on Scotland because no one knew how the last game would

go. It shows the skills are there, it is just whether you are brave

enough as a coach or player to do that. Let us catch up with the guy

in charge of Wales and Rob Howley. I think that the biggest

disappointment I had was looking at the way we performed against

Australia and eight and a half minutes where we had 15 against 13

and attacking coach, what was like free you and what was your attacking

philosophy for Wales? You take the 56 minutes, 269 minutes... I take it

to my grave with me. Would you or Warren Gatland thought should I have

thrown on maybe Priestland or Hoke to break it up a little bit? At the

time, Morgan, the momentum, I have never been involved in the game

where it has been so exciting, there were no tries scored. 12, six, 56

minutes and under pressure, having that ability to think at that moment

in time and having clarity, they are the fine margins. You have to accept

them and move on and how quickly you are able to move on is the

challenge. Our attacking philosophy has not changed over the last eight

years and I think that the key part of any attacking philosophy is to

determine that on the person available and I think that we talk

about creating mismatches and talking about how fantastic New

Zealand are, there is no bigger than when watching New Zealand, but for

them to earn the right to play, they kick particularly when Dan Carter is

playing. Our philosophy or my philosophy in terms of, we want to

kick to ability to change positions in the back three which are in the

right to play a bit wider. The object is to try and get in the

outside channels as often as possible, you want your high numbers

on the ball as often as possible and then that is creating the two on

ones and three on twos. The ability to execute under pressure with

70,000 people watching. The biggest change in the game is line speed in

defence. The majority of every side blitzes in defence so then you're

asking to create space because you have to earn the right to play. Then

again there is assessing the line speed, quickness of ball and working

on your own dab stop do you then in the analysis say look there is an

opportunity here, an opportunity there, it is on the go, work

together? Then there is the ability for the player to understand the

speed of ball and the speed of the defence of fold and reacting to

that. Do you think it is something that New Zealand do at an early age

where the emphasis is more on skill so when they come through, they are

more Jim orientated and they are more skilfully orientated? For me

and I have spoken a number of times about this, 1985 during the teachers

strike, masters influence on the landscape of sport in schools.

Rugby, I can remember playing week in week out and having rugby masters

teaching me core skills. Now that does not happen. Two on ones, three

on twos, one on ones, your core skills are under pressure, the

difference between the club region and international is speed and that

poachers core skills under pressure. There have been questions about

Wales being too structured. I know on the field if you see something,

everything is scrapped, if the red is called, I would call red and

everything goes out the window. The game has not changed. The game is

based on gain line and speed of ball and the ability to earn the right to

play in the outside channel. If you going to play a two phase attack

after one phase and you break, that is heads up. That is why you played

for Wales and hopefully other players who played for Wales have

got that intuitive nature about to play rugby. Speaking of having an

intuitive nature there is probably none more so than Liam Williams who

made his long-awaited return from injury yesterday. He looked sharp

and ready and hungry. I have always been a massive fan, I would put him

on the bench, I would start Matthew Morgan at fullback, because I think

we need summary to help out Dan Biggar and I think he is an

attacking threat, he gives us an option similar to Liam Williams. I

think after one game against Connacht to go to Ireland away to

play is a big ask. I do not want to go there with the safety option and

I think that is what he is. I want to go there with an attacking

threat. Matthew Morgan, there are a lot of Gary Owens. Bring it on. He

will have a go. One game he is fine, psychologically he is brave and are

best attacking player, reads the game well, one game he will be fine

and up to speed. You mentioned Sexton and Conor Murphy, they will

come with a huge kicking game. As much as I rate Matthew Morgan I

would have him on the bench to bring him on, at the start, I would go

with Liam. Do not think then your argument of not playing 80 minutes

and being not fully fit match fitness is the only way you get

match fit, the amount they will kick will mean, it is like a Test match,

adrenaline will get him through and he will be fine. I'm a massive fan

of Liam Williams. He looked sharp against Connacht and he is a

matchwinner. In a moment, he can beat a couple of players and he is

gone. I do not think it is a gamble, he will know he is ready. He is

difficult to defend. If you're on the three quarters line looking up

you do not know what he will do. Do not look at his legs. He has got

quick feet. He is an attacking minded player. In today's rugby

where it is structured and you have someone likely you do not know what

to expect and that gets you thinking, is my inside and outside

covered? I would be quite happy to go with him. What about wingers who

might accompany him if he starts. George North is probably a shoo-in

and then you have a decision between 32-macro... I would go with Tom

James. He is undoubtedly able, he has not been able to control it, he

has had continuity this year. I think he also gives us, he is a

great left foot and we need to take some of the pressure we all put in

on Dan Biggar to be the man to get us out of trouble. I think on merit,

from what I have seen of him, Hallam Amos?, I am in huge fan, I think

Alex Cuthbert has answered his critics, but I do not think Hallam

Amos has played enough, Tom James would be my shoo-in. If Hallam Amos

is fit, Wales probably need him. If they're going to change up their

attack, he is a silky smooth runner and has good acceleration and left

peg. He is different, Tom James, another good quality player, but

like the build of JD, he will not step and go around. I agree with the

left peg, but Hallam Amos is so different and I think he is more

attack minded. Lettuces and we have parity up front against Ireland,

scrum-half dictates the pace of the game and in Gareth Davies we have a

real terrier in the same role as Rhys Webb, but Williams seems to be

stabbing at his heels. Lloyd has been fantastic. He is full of

confidence, played really well. He can play left wing as he showed

against England. I cannot believe we have gone this long without

mentioning that game. Gareth Davies for me, as much as Lloyd is a great

cover a man, Gareth is playing with confidence and had a great World

Cup. He is one of those players who can score 50 or 60 metre tries out

of nothing and I think he should get annoyed over Lloyd. -- the nod. Most

of them are coming back to fitness, plenty to ponder for Warren gallon.

Let us look ahead or look back to the Pro12, a full round of fixtures

and Beth Clements has all the details. Although both teams were

depleted by injuries and international colts, the Rodney

Parade crowd were treated to a thriller. There was the Dragons who

got the start they hoped for. Man of the match Ashton Hewitt crossing

after three minutes. The Dragons thought they had scored two more

tries but they were ruled out by the TML after a try from Jason sent them

on their way to a valuable win. Surely he frees his hand and Jason

strolls over. Scholars welcome back Liam Williams but they were totally

dominated upfront by Connacht who led 30 had zero at half-time. Vander

merits's try close the gap but any thoughts of a comeback faulted as

two yellow cards for the visitors handed victory to Connacht. Seven

metres out, McCartney with the dummy, they got the parson, here

comes Ayew. Rodney Ah You gets the bonus point try for a Connacht.

Despite having nine players called up for international duty, the Blues

got there are consecutive league when

It was honours even at the Liberty Stadium between the Ospreys and

Glasgow this afternoon. He Eli Walker scoring the first try.

Off-loads to Joe Bearman. Olly Cracknell pulls it back. Sam Davies

goes through. Inside Boulder Dan Evans! The Scarlets stay top whilst

the Ospreys and Blues remain seventh and ninth and the Dragons move up

one place to 10th. Wales women kick off their campaign

next weekend against Ireland. Some of their players spoke to us about

what it aims to represent their country. The first time I put on the

Welsh jersey it was something else. Something you always train for but

when you get the chance to put it on it is a sense of pride and

privilege. Going into the Six Nations is so competitive. They are

the GameCube train for all year. Beating England last year we started

on a high and it was fantastic. Coming from a little village in West

Wales and divide players like Kevin Phillips and John Davies who've come

from there and you always think you would like to play. I am glad I have

played. When I was made captain it was a massive favour me. I respected

the people who had been in position before me. My dad wrote me a letter

letting me know how he felt and I still carry it around with me. It is

nice and I got this support. The shirt with the three feathers up,

every time you put it on it's amazing. You turn into a different

person. Playing for my country is everything for me. I am coming to

the end of my career now so every game is important. I was born with

rugby in my blood. The whole family like watching it. You are all in it

together and you're on the pitch ready to do battle and you are

playing for each other. It is a great feeling. We saw her there and

she's behind the bar, it is racial tailor the captain of Wales women.

Last year, it was a fun on start by beginning when. How did you

celebrate after that one? Too long probably. It was a great start. We

followed it up with a second but very. It was disappointing that we

lost the last three games in the tournament. We are not normally in

that situation and it will be interesting to see if we have

learned our lessons from last year. The preparation could not have gone

better. You beat Ireland last week. What do you read into that? Friendly

games two weeks before a tournament, both teams probably didn't show the

full hand. We set down some structures and different

combinations and for me the intent and aggression we showed was

something I really wanted the girls to bring. It was important to put

that psychological marker down to make sure they remember that in a

few weeks' time. The boys and I have spoken about how the Wales men side

as the renowned for its physicality and brutality. What sort of style

can we expect from Wales women this year? It is a more physical game

than ever before. Strength and conditioning is key and fitness. We

also want to play a bit more of an exciting style of rugby. A couple of

structures but we want the ability to play what we see. Best of luck

and we will all be supporting you. Rachel Taylor ladies and gentlemen.

And so to the under 20s who will also be starting their campaign in

Ireland. Let's remind ourselves how big on last year.

The momentum is with Wales. The Wales Under 20s got off to a flying

start to last season's Six Nations and will be looking for the same

this year. Tom Phillips takes over the captaincy from Rory Thornton and

head coach Jason strange has been able to select a number of players

who have gained regional experience this season including Dillon Lewis

and Janet Evans from the Blues and Austrians -- Ospreys centre Owen

Watkin. And Scarlets fly-half Billy McBride son of Robin McBryde. Wales

finished fourth last season and will be looking to improve on that this

time around. Tom Phillips is in the club tonight.

Great to have you here. Congratulations on the captaincy. It

is a massive honour. A lot of Welsh senior players have come through and

a lot of them had a good platform to play. There are 11 guys in the squad

who were in the squad last year saw a bit of continuity. A lot of

players have got a good piece of regional rugby as well. How much

does that builder confidence? Massively. A lot of the boys are

getting exposure. Then they can back into the camp and it lifts the

spirits. It is a morale booster. We saw Owen Watkin playing this

afternoon and he scored a sensational trial last year. Can we

expect more of the same from you? Hopefully. We have players like Owen

Watkin who are making some strides. Very Best of luck and great to have

you on. Tom Phillips ladies and gentlemen. Wales death have beaten

England death 17-16. Today the return fixture is at the Arms Park.

A good omen perhaps. I think it's fair to say the entire nation

breathed a sigh of relief when Shaun Edwards put pen to paper on a new

four-year deal with Wales. I went along to see if I could preach his

defensive wall. After eight years with team Wales Shaun Edwards

remains an enigma. Terrifying to some but he does have a softer side.

Being a coach is like being a parent. Sometimes you have to give

some love and sometimes you have to set some rules. Some coaches have a

style of coaching with a don't get close to the players and I am not

saying that is the wrong way but I consider a lot of players I coach

has close friends. Is that difficult line to straddle, being a make and

being somebody's boss. No. Easy. They know I am only trying to help

them. It is always constructive criticism. From the outside, people

see you as this aggressive hard-nosed taskmaster who does not

take any missing. Is that too simplified view of Shaun Edwards? I

will let other people answer that question for you. Are there hidden

depths we don't see? You said you are more likely to offer sympathy or

constructive criticism than be a shelter and somebody will get angry.

Sometimes but the only time I would shout that the player is if they

didn't give 100%. If they give 100% and they want to get better I will

put time into them and try and help them. Players have mentioned before

the Wall of shame where you put somebody's name on them wall if they

miss a tackle. I would criticise if it is a repeat error which is coming

up all the time and again. At first I would help them. If it happens

three or four times that honestly I would do it. Edwards was one of the

most gifted attacking players in rugby during a 17 year career and it

is this attacking mindset that has made him an accomplished defence

coach. As a player I was not the best tackler in the world. Attack

was my forte as a player. What it helps me in a defensive frame of

mind is that I put my head into the fly-half's head and think what would

I do in that situation or what would I have done so that helps me because

I try and second-guess what they attack coaches thinking, what the

fly-half and number nine is thinking. The fact there was a

half-backs myself is an advantage for me. You are quite a private blog

and you don't give a great deal away in public. You have spoken before

about faith and your religious convictions, there's that influence

you? I don't want to talk about faith. It's not me. I am not here to

preach to people. It is up to every individual. I was brought up like

that. My mum's brother is a priest. I went to church. If I didn't go to

church my mother would batter me. Do you think it's important for

players I was politically engaged because my father and grandfather

were minors. I am not a massive political person. I went on the

march with the miners when I came from within. I am no expert on

politics. What about the Six Nations? Ireland are the favourites

going into the competition. The bookies have installed England as

favourites. Is that justified? I've got no idea about that. That was an

exhausting half an hour. He does not give much away. I'd dump think I had

faced the death stayed before. Have you faced Shaun Edwards deficit?

Let's not go there! Yes, many a time. Behind that persona, we have

seen him shouting and screaming but he is one of the best specialist

coaches I have worked under. He doesn't strike fear into you and I

think it's a good thing as a defence coach because you know if you miss a

tackle or if you make a system error and you make the same mistake, you

are infrared on the Monday. I have been on the wall of shame many a

time. I wish I had had longer to work with him. I learn so much from

him in three years. He is an interesting character. Are you

disappointed as an inland fan he did not go to England? They were rumours

he was going to switch? I cant imagine a national team who would

not want Shaun Edwards as the defensive coach. He said his

standards as a player. With Wasps he went on and did great things and now

with Wales and the Lions. He is experienced and he knows his stuff

inside out. It would have been great for England. In terms of what will

be exercising his defensive mind, the rolling maul was an Achilles'

heel in Dublin two years ago. How might that impacts election this

time around? Two years ago I don't think Luke Charteris played in that

game and he is such an unsung hero. We are blessed in the second row

with Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies. But few expect Luke

Charteris to be there and Dan Lydiate as well. Sometimes you

overlook how good Dan Lydiate is. You are not a man who is intimidated

by many people but was Shaun Edwards terrifying? International rugby,

attention to detail is everything. Everybody is analysing. If you have

somebody who cares that much and Wales have been successful mainly

because of their defence. He has had a huge part in that. When he talks

like that, he is eccentric but it shows the case. He cares about those

Welsh players and about the defensive system. He hangs his hat

on it. He gives you two are three specific things per team. He does

not overload you with information. He is world class. I just want to

get your opinion on the possible conundrum on how to fit Justin

Tipuric into our back row. If Wales want a point of difference certainly

in attack Justin Tipuric is your man. He reminds me of Michael

Hooper. He is brilliant in defence and attack. For me, attack minded,

Justin Tipuric is the man. You think about the great 2003 England team.

Richard Hill was essentially an openside playing alongside Neil

back. We have seen that in the modern game having to openside

flanker is having an impact. But we can't have everything. We can't pick

a Welsh team to go up there and score tries but then criticise them

for leaking tries. We have great attacking options but as a nation

now we're getting bogged down and we say we want the best of everything.

We want tries and offence. You should have the best of everything.

But you can't put Justin Tipuric in and Matthew Morgan but ultimately we

have stronger defensive systems. Dan Lydiate fits in because of what he

does. We could be here all night. Let's move on because Ireland are

the first opponents and Sean Holley has been looking at the state they

are in. What a tough ask for Warren Gatland's men facing the

back-to-back Six Nations at the is at the Aviva Stadium. But there is

evidence to suggest that in the pre-World Cup warm up matches that

this is going to be a close in Canberra. What we know about Ireland

is they get direct close to the line and the lessons learned from the

pre-World Cup games is that Wales defence over folded. Ireland went

back to the short side and found easy spaces for Ireland to exploit.

Jamie Heaslip waltzes over at the Millennium Stadium. They will come

down the ten channel close to the line to. Dan Biggar can expect heavy

traffic and his channel. And they are looking for the first cracks in

the defensive line. Mike Phillips and James Hook that exploited on the

inside shoulder. In the return match Ireland are looking for that first

forward in the defensive line. Henderson looking for a mismatch and

its tri- time. There are opportunities for Wales off the top.

Ireland will mark to areas of the line-out and compete. Wales have to

bring their usual runners across the gain line like George North on Jamie

Roberts. If they can get quick ball I feel that is an edge of space in

the Irish defence for the Wales back three to exploit. Wales can play off

the top line-out from the front and get Roberts across the gain line.

What Wales were successful with in the last Six Nations was manhandling

the Irish back row and quick ball at this phase allows Jonathan Davies to

cross the gain line again in these wider channels. What does that do?

Justin Tipuric. The strength of George North. Beautiful off-load.

Jonathan Davies is going to score for Wales. The line-up led to the

try. There was a bit of negativity around the launch about Ireland.

Their provinces are in decline, they have lost Paul O'Connell, they have

lost Henderson, Tommy Bowe to injury. They got hammered by

Argentina in the World Cup. Are they vulnerable. They are still very good

side. They still have got good players. Yes they are missing no,

but they still have Conor Murray, Jonny Sexton. They have CJ Stander

will start in the back row. They will strong be very strong. We have

got a mouthwatering due between -- Kewell between Dan Biggar and Jonny

Sexton. Jonny Sexton is on the decline. He was superb on the last

Lions tour but Dan Biggar for me has been fantastic. He does everything

you need to do and makes very few errors. He kicks the ball in the and

collected himself. He has been spot on with his kicking as well. He is a

great defender and played with heart and soul and he typified what Wales'

performance was with all the injuries during the World Cup. The

spotlight was not on him but nowadays. Can he perform under that

huge expectation? Ireland have not got a defence coach. How much will

that affect their preparation? A defence coaches really relevant. It

could hamper them but they are missing a few players but they still

have a continuity. Just because of the Irish provinces have not done

well and Ireland lost to Argentina in the World Cup, they are not a bad

team. They are at home and they are going into it as favourites and

behind closed doors they know this is a huge game for them. It lays

down a marker after the World Cup. That game is the two favourites for

the tournament. For them, defence coach or no defence coach they will

be well drilled. The provincial decline is a red herring because

there's the Welsh regions have underperformed and it's had no

impact on the national side. It has no effect at all. In the

international camp you forget what's been going on at your region. They

have got one of the best coaches in the world. They have won two

championships in a row. They will still have the pre-World Cup game,

Wales went over to Ireland and outmuscled them. I think it will be

different next Sunday. It is a very pivotal period for all teams coming

off the back of a World Cup. This Six Nations is a sandwich between

this World Cup and a tour to New Zealand. Eddie Butler has been

putting things in context for us. The World Cup. A party thrown by

England that's built into Wales dominated by the Southern

Hemisphere, one by New Zealand. A magnificent feast. We are left with

this. You can stay in denial saying we did our bit to make the World Cup

such a drama. But don't we after take our share of Northern built? It

was a sumptuous feast but in excess like deadly sins. Here in Wales we

look to the outside and we see the French, the English. Envy to want

what others have. There is greed to want earthly things to make money.

There is gluttony. It's a short career. One injury and it's gone.

There is less. To be a prime specimen, to be famous. There has

been wrath. Anger in our rugby politics. There has been sloughed.

Failing to make the most of our talents. How did the tries dry up?

We had a good World Cup, we played with pride. Pride, the deadliest of

the deadly sins. To think we are better than others. Is it so bad? It

is not. There is a new spirit of corporation across the land. There

is even some money, a World Cup windfall. Every four years the

slate, the table is wiped clean. But let's remember where the World Cup

went. To New Zealand, the best team ever. It is the ultimate rugby

virtue that overcomes all sins, playing for each other is

everything. So to the Six Nations, to a simple diet. To the Welsh team.

You can always rely on Eddie Butler to be original. Let's talk about

what he said at the end. The best team won the World Cup. Wales have

continued to it -- can't -- continuity of personnel and players.

They have a 75% winning ratio and the Warren Gatland. They are

effectively a club side. Yes and it's good but it's also healthily

that we're still talking about people pushing and competitive

places up for grabs. I think the next stage for us regardless of the

Six Nations, we need to have the quality to beat Southern Hemisphere

teams and I hope this Six Nations, Wales will show an attacking threat.

Sometimes we go out to defend a game rather than go out there to win. For

me, watching Wales, that is what I would like to see. Even though we

have the same team we still have to keep moving because the game keeps

changing. New Zealand will still keep progressing. Wales to win the

tournament? Yes. Yes I think so. A win in Ireland and three home games.

I think France are dangerous. But I think Wales, yes. Wales to win? No

grand slam. Marsh the 12 will be a difficult game! But I will go with

Wales to win the championship. It has been a privilege to have you

back on scrum five. You have been busy. You have been in pantomime as

the Genie in Aladdin. I have still got it! Magnificent costume! We have

broken the budget and got ourselves a

lamp. I want each of you to give us one wish for the Six Nations. I

think Wales to win the Six Nations but to win it with a Welsh

passionate way of playing. Martin? Never to see those photographs

dressed -- of him dressed like that again. And less touch match

officials. A 40 point victory on March 12. Penalised crooked feeds

into the scrum. We are out of time. Please show your appreciation for

Gareth Thomas, Martyn Williams and Jeremy Guscott and Rachel Taylor the

captain of Wales women and Tom Phillips the captain of Wales Under

20s. We'll kick off against Ireland in a week's time. West of luck to

all of our teams. That is all we have time for. Some sad news today.

We had earlier about the death of Terry Wogan at the age of 77. Not

only was he heaved the consummate broadcaster he was also a massive

Irish rugby fan so we thought we would be remember the time when

Gavin Jenkins went to meet him. We are going to pack down very shortly.

It has been rumoured that in your early days that they did play a bit

of rugby union. It is an old Irish fault, being fairly good at a lot of

things but no good at anything. They were smaller men then and I was six

foot tall. I was a line of jumper. Any high points of when you have

been to Cardiff? He used to come out of the old stadium and waves of

people going in different directions. You would be swept up

the street, swept down the street again. You thought, I'm never going

to get out of here. It has been great speaking to you and a great

religion. It has been an honour to talk to you.