29/01/2017 Scrum V

The passion and motivation is going to be huge. Got a point to prove.

That is such a classy finish. We are fully aware of what is coming but

were excited. Who's going to take the game by the

scruff of the next? Who's going to be the X Factor, who is going to

make a difference? That is the challenge.

Hello, good evening, welcomed to Scrum V's Six Nations preview

special. Six days to go until the world for the greatest tournament

takes. We are all happy until Wales plays Ireland then it will all

change. Let's meet our studio audience.

They are all very loud! Also in the house tonight we have got the Wales

women. And not forgetting our special guests, shall we get them

in? Please welcome Jonathan Davies, Jeremy Guscott, Wyn Jones and Peter

Jackson. Evening gentlemen, ie making notes?

Six weeks until the start of a new condition, excited? Yes, great

tournament, really looking forward to it. We are favourite and there is

always a shock. It is a fantastic tournament. We always say that it is

too close to call but England seem to be favourites ahead of this one.

Everyone loves saying that. How big test this be for infant and Eddie

Jones? I think -- for England and Eddie Jones? I think it is tougher

to retain the championship than when at Grand Slam. I like the fact that

Scotland are emerging, a little bit unknown were Wales, Ireland where

the team of the autumn series, their tactics were first class. Ireland

and England are up there in terms of favourites. England have got to deal

with the pressure and the injuries but thankfully, Eddie has worked so

well, he draws it all into himself rather than the team. It is mind

games. That brews over the eye, suspicions on how that happened.

England are clear favourites, should Ireland fans be affronted?

Definitely I think they are playing so well against southern hemisphere

sides, the pace and invention they have got in their game, and the

intensity with which they can play in the regions and in the autumn

series, I think for a lot of people and me included, they are my

favourites. Scotland are coming up the rails as well, their coach is

departing and they will want to send him off with someone -- something

special. This could mean that they are back in the championship, it is

long overdue, if the French get their act together it will be

competitive. The trick with the Six Nations is, more often than not

there is a surprise. It is identifying where that is going to

be. I would not bet my house on Ireland winning at Murrayfield next

week, I think that is potential trouble for Ireland. Likewise

England and France. As long as this tournament has got it on

predictability, there is nothing to beat it. You have got a bit of the

Eddie Jones tonight. It is lovely to enquire about it, but the state of

my left hand has got nothing to do with what I said on this programme a

few weeks ago! Thanks to the wonderful NHS staff at the surgical

unit I will be fighting fit for the start of the season. Glad to hear

it. We will be assessing each team's cut

chances throughout the night but let's start with Wales, we talked to

Rob Howley. Looking at the fixture list, Italy

are at first, two teams of the highest rankings you have got at

home, Ireland and England, you could not ask for a better fixture list. I

think the challenge is getting the selection right for Italy Mike Catt

is a fantastic coach, the team are going to be the passion and the

motivation. They have turned over South Africa in the autumn series.

We will have to be on our best game to win in Rome. On the squad, seven

uncapped payers, a few have been in the squad before but am who have

not, some are saying it is a bold selection? When you give

opportunities to young talent, there is a freshness about it. Those five

or seven players who have not been part of the Six Nations squad

before, that brings excitement and enthusiasm. It changes the dynamics

of the squad. Having a new captain changes the dynamics as well. For

myself it is a case of know what I am therefore what I have got to do.

Ultimately, that is placed first, Captain second. In my eyes, it is

not as one captain, it is a case of the senior group that can have the

ability to make those decisions and I think the same thing happened on

the right time in the same pressured situation. Does it battle you the

amount of criticism Wales get their winning? Not really, everybody has

their opinion. Everyone will say that someone should be playing at

tight head prop or number eight, and some supporters have got their

favourites who want them to play for Wales, whether they are playing

badly all good it does not matter. They wanted to see tries galore and

champagne attacking rugby, they were seeing narrow victories eked out

over what they considered inferior opposition, they thought it wasn't

going well. I can see that but I can also see the other side when we have

come up short and we have lost those games and have been criticised by

not winning. The expectations on this group of players are quite

high. That is how it should be. You have got to have a rhino skin don't

do this job. Double rhino skin! I have learned a lot in the last nine

years. Under the guidance and tutelage of Warren Gatland, there is

a bit of Kiwi in me somewhere, but you have to be tough. The ultimate

goal in terms of expressing what we did in 2008, 2012 and 2013. It has

been three long years and it is time where we have to step up and go to

the next level and may be Six Nations 2017 is where we need to go.

He sounded pretty confident and plenty to get stuck into but I will

come to you on the headline, Alun Wyn Jones, he was announced as

captain, right man for the job and a I am not sure whether Rob wanted to

give it up or not, there are mixed signals. He has done it before for

the Lions. He is a tremendously go. He is good hands. You think it might

be Warren Gatland? I would not write him off as Lions captain. His name

will come to me! I think Sam has always been a reluctant captain, he

has also, I think he is a classy blokes, he has been an ambassador

for Welsh rugby. He is an example that everyone. I do not think he is

as natural leader on the field as Alun Wyn Jones. Selection would be

crucial against Italy, and he has been labelled bold and brave given

that he has announced a new captain and five people who have never been

in the squad before, but how brave you expect him to be when it comes

to selection? I do not think he has been bold or brave yet, and I would

be surprised if any one of those seven uncapped players make the 23

to play in Rome next Sunday. I would like him to be bold, but there is

limited scope. For me, the most damning fact of the 37 that he has

picked is there is such a paucity of midfield talent in this country,

that there are only three specialist centres. Out of 37. Scott Williams,

Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts. And Jamie, he has tried to drop and he

is a bit like the man who cannot stop smoking, he keeps bringing him

back. The buzzword now is evolve. As we all know, a good team is

constantly evolving because it is a process which never stops and never

ends. So, for Italy right now, I think I would take 3-0 in Italy

right now. The bottom line about next week is winning that game. And

I think in view of the confused state in which Wales finished

November, I would take any old win in Rome. You cannot have that, I

refuse that. You are Wales and the Welsh team, you have got so much

experience in that side, so much talent, it is just underperforming

in terms of individuals. There is a slight change in the way that they

want to play, but you cannot as a member of that Welsh squad that has

been together since 2011, want to go to Rome, they will not be happy with

3-0. They have got to rack up the points. They are a good enough side.

Rugby has changed. If you look at the last six months, seven games,

England's average points is 38, Ireland, 30, four or five tries per

game. We had 20 points per game at the moment. You cannot win a game

3-0 any more, those days of gone. You have got to score tries and win

matches. That is why I think the bonus point is irrelevant because

teams are going out and scoring four or five tries, did you do not, you

will not win. I would have been surprised that he said that, we

spoke so much about the Wales evolving, sometimes you get better

performances but not necessarily get the win, so how do we appease the

critics? Is it all about winning or without be satisfied with a good

brand of rugby could like it is all about winning. You know it is tough

as a player going over there. It is tougher than at Murrayfield,

Twickenham -- at Murrayfield, took on and in Dublin. So this is a good

start for an away game. They are good enough side to beat it to be

comfortable. They have got to get it -- beat Italy come to be. They have

got to get it right tactically, they are going to be better under the

leadership of Conor O'Shea and Mike Catt. Their kicking game has got to

be good and you have got to turn them, when the opportunities come,

you score tries. When we talk about whether performance or result is

more important, world rankings come to bear and we all know what

happened a few years ago when Wales dropped tonight and ended up in the

pool of death in the World Cup, you cannot sacrifice wins in the sake of

sacrificing performance -- getting better performance. You cannot. I I

want better things from Wales. Orton was great for Wales. The performance

is the most people were not back good. People who know more and best

about that other players and the coach, they are trying their best to

get it right but they are just a little bit below the level. This

championship might bring them up because with all of that talent,

they have got the most room for improvement out of all the teams in

the Six Nations. The problem we have, we have got three centres, and

if you are going to evolve the game, those two positions are critical in

how you play the game. And the skills in those positions. At the

moment, that is the biggest problem for me, selection and who he goes

with. He hasn't seen a lot of England and he has not seen a lot of

Wales, Jeremy, and he does not understand the level of

dissatisfaction there has been. I have got no Welsh friends at all! I

think the level of dissatisfaction, while we won, with generally shown

in the quality of the game. It was obvious how slow and ponderous we

were in attack compared to when you see England and Ireland playing with

such ferocity and intensity. And they do not throw the ball wide all

the time, they generate pace into their game and that is something we

have struggled to do. Unless we do that, we are not good to beat the

sides. Let's talk about one of those sides,

England, because despite the fact that it pains most of us in this

room with perhaps one exception that to admit that it England are

favourite, Eddie Jones did turn up to the launch looking a bit worse

for wear, with a black eye. He claimed it was slipping in the

shower not one of the opposition coaches sticking one on him. He was

in pretty relaxed mood. I -- a Grand Slam winning, England

rugby team. What a try for England! England in full control.

We all know about the phenomenal success you have had with England

over the last year, do you like that pressure? You only have pressure

when you do not know what you are doing. So no, we know what we want

to do, we are planning to do it and now we just need the attitude and

consistent sides to do it. The pressure, for me, for a team that is

performing well, is the expectation of people around the team, not in

the team themselves. From day one, the message has been improved, make

sure you improve, and the next time we are together as a team, make sure

we improve. What we did in the Six Nations last year and in the autumn

internationals will not be good enough to beat France next week. We

have had to raise training intensity and go and explore other avenues

better. We have had a good year, but that is irrelevant. We need to crack

on and keep improving. Had it been weighing on your mind over the last

few weeks that maybe you would not been here? Six weeks ago, I picked

up my ban, it put a lot of things into jeopardy and it was a good

thing to reflect. I reflect most days, but I have had a very clear

directive from Eddie and the coaches from what they expect, if he sees

something from me, I just want to deliver. Alun Wyn Jones said... You

could be making this up! I am not! He said that they want to be key

because they are better than you. Why do you want to always beat

Wales? I want to beat France. I think you have said that you think

England can be better, are you going to scare the Welsh public, how can

you be? We have not played well at all, in the last 12 months there is

not one game where we have put in. To me, if you play well in a game of

rugby, your game is 80 minutes. If you play 50 minutes of good quality

rugby, that is a perfect rugby game. Perhaps we are 35 minutes at the

most playing really well. I have got a lot of growth to be done in our

game. Unbeaten last year, have you got any lucky socks that I can ruin

before the chaplain Chip? I have got these, my lucky red Sox on. These

are the lucky ones. I wore these are the setting games so please do not

take them from me. -- I wore these 413 games.

I will start with you, we are picking you up and calling you

favourites putting pressure on you, and rightly so because 14 straight

wins, not losing into 16 and/or head coach says you have only played 35

good in it of rugby since he took over. Is that the case, are there

any more gives to go out? Imperious they play with such intensity, it

mystified and muddies what has not been going right. There is quite a

lot when you analyse it deeply and that is what Eddie is doing. When

you look at England's attack, it is not as functional and as pairing as

may be an All Blacks or even Ireland. There is a lot of scope.

England have based their game on a big set piece and a lot of defence.

When was the last time you saw George Ford run through the gap or

Owen Farrell busts the game right? The toughest game for England will

be Ireland away, traditionally hard game against Wales, everyone will be

looking forward to it and people will raise their game. England are a

team that winning and they have got confidence. Inwardly they will be

reasonably confident coming into this championship as Eddie says,

they have not reached that peaked. They have got strength and depth as

well, they can pick courses courses and with a short turnaround in

games, they are the strongest side because of the strength of their

player pool. They will miss some ball-carriers, he has done immensely

well, but I think the nailed on 12 is Owen Farrell. Eat controls

everything, -- he controlled a living, he has got a great tackling

game and he creates space. That is the difference between England and

the rest of the Northern Hemisphere sides, that tent at 12 axis. --

10-12 axis. What about this way of taking his pressure of his players,

Eddie Jones. You hear him saying, we have only put together 35 minutes of

good rugby in any 80, but keeps saying that there are world-class

players, unless you are hearing a different message internally, do you

start to resent that kind of talk? I would not have thought so. From what

I gather he is close and supportive to the players, but that huge much

pressure on his coaching staff, he makes their life hell, meetings at

6am and e-mail at 5am, why didn't you read it. For the team he is with

them 100% and a father figure. I think he says it with a smile on his

face. I cannot believe a word he is saying, he cannot be telling them,

boys, you are rubbish, you are playing Wales but you are rubbish.

It is a game he plays. He has a good way of judging the mood, I compare

that with the intensity from the Welsh coaches. Little things in

press conferences that I would be amazed if I ever heard it from a

Welsh coach, some while back a big conference at Twickenham, and he

said, boys, he was looking for a fight, I read somebody said that

James Haskell had a poor pair of hands. That is not true, he has got

a terrible pair of hands. That lightened the mood and he can make a

quick like that. I never see that from the Welsh management. He enjoys

it. I think it comes from, you should play in Australia, it is a

lot worse there, having played there and coached in Australia, I can

assure you that whatever he says in public, he does not say the same. He

is behind them 100%. Modern players need a bit more of that. We are

going to watch, however many millions, are going to watch the Six

Nations, when you have a bad game, you do not really need a coach to

tell you. A coach at this level should not be doing too much

coaching. It is all about tactical play, the execution comes from the

players. Eddie is very good at saying it as it is, you did not play

well, look at this and that and make sure it improves. We have just spent

three minutes doing exactly what he wanted, talking about him. How are

they going to manage with their back row injured, getting their major

ball carriers out, Vunipola is out, Mike Brown is dodgy at full-back, we

have been talking about it. There is no way that Elliot Daly is playing

full-back. They are developing him. Mike Brown is therefore as well.

Alex Lozowski could fill in as well. I think he is a little bit old

school, takes the pressure off the players and it is similar to the All

Blacks, in amateur games where you take all the pressure of the All

Blacks and the only thing they would have to focus on is playing. That is

what he is doing and England are benefiting it, don't have a beer,

look after yourself do not be stupid.

Now, these next two could not be more different. In terms of stature

and personality. They had many a fierce battle on the field of play.

Now they have ended up playing for the same club. We thought we would

fit Mike Phillips and Peter Stringer in the same room at the same time to

see how they get on. So, we are team-mates, once rivals,

I did not like you're back in the day, and I do not like you much now.

Feeling is mutual. What are your feelings on the Six Nations? Recent

times, Ireland under Joe Schmidt has been a revelation, the coach has

come in, brought a new damage to their game. Not playing hugely

attractive -- and you don't mention to their game. Not playing hugely

attractive rugby but they are doing well. Welsh rugby is going through a

transition. Yes, I think myself retiring from the game, the boys

have not recovered. The Welsh boys are in a different situation. They

have a decent autumn in terms of wins, the performances were not

quite there but they have picked a young squad and the guys turn it on

for the Six Nations so it'll be exciting. Do you think that Wales

will pull off another fluky win against Ireland, you scoring that in

try that should have this.! -- that should have stood? You have won a

World Cup there, the celebrations you had. My hair looks a bit dodgy,

shocking. The crowd have touched the ball, it is a different ball. It was

never a try. The Welsh girls were excited. That's try it was the

difference. That was a massive moment in the game, you guys were on

fire as well so it was a big win for us. The history of the fixtures

between Ireland and Wales, predominantly Wales would have had

good games in Ireland, and vice versa, Ireland having victories in

Cardiff, it is the best game I have ever played from an atmosphere point

of view. And the memories of the Grand Slam that day that we won. Who

is going to win the game, Wales or Ireland? Tough one, no doubt, I'm

going to go Ireland. I fancy them coming off the back of a decent...

What a big surprise! Beating the southern hemisphere teams, giving

them that confidence, I fancy them for the Six Nations and filling of a

win against England. -- Robert Pilling four win against England.

There is something -- pulling off a win against England. There is

something special about Twickenham, it is coming down to the tiny

margins of things. Where are we going to watch, are you going to

come round mine? I stay well away from you after a few beers.

That really was a brilliant afternoon's filming. The stuff on

the cutting room floor is priceless, maybe we'll stick some online.

Ireland, you said at the top that they are your favourites, they beat

New Zealand in Chicago, enormous psychological significance. They

come into the tournament thinking they can beat anyone. It is pot

impossible to overestimate what they achieved in Chicago. No British or

Irish team had scored five tries against the All Blacks in one game,

there was a period where they looked like they would lose the game, but

in the end, Ireland won it going away, in horse racing parlance. They

generated an intensity that not even the All Blacks which were pretty

much at fault strength, phenomenal achievement, not even a 71 Lions got

five tries in one game against the All Blacks. They are favourites

because they have got England at home but none of us know what a toll

injury will take over the next seven weeks. I think Scotland at

Murrayfield is a tricky one for Ireland if they are going to

stumble. It will be there. Joe Schmidt described Wales as the

sleeping giant. I think he might have been trailing the Irish squad

around the Blarney Stone, because if you look at Ireland's record in

Cardiff, 16 games and they have only lost three. It is not even about

that New Zealand win, you look at the Irish provinces, Munster and

Leinster are playing some great rugby, they are flying in Europe so

those guys will be going into camp with great confidence. Yes, they are

on the up, they are hugely confident, they had a good tour of

South Africa as well. They have got some depth, Paddy Wallace came in

when they'd beat it the Springboks. Ringrose coming in as well. Joe

Schmidt is actually quite tired tactic, he's very prescriptive about

what everyone does -- he is quite didactic, he is no prescriptive

about what everyone does, very organised. Phase after phase is

planned and done and when they play it a look $1 million, but when they

lose the structure they can look lost. But when they get it right,

they are formidable. He found an energy source, because this time

last, they were worked out, this is what you would do on every point of

the field. They went to South Africa and reinvented himself. There was

some doubt about Joe Schmidt. He got the team focused again and they are

playing the best rugby. That game in Chicago would be in my top five

ever. They have got the better kicking game in world rugby. I also

think that the half-backs are playing exceptionally well. They

also attacked from first phase. They put something on all the time and

they build from there. They will say, the writing of the kicking is

brilliant. -- variety of the kicking. An intensity which they

play at is amazing. I agree, I think favourites for me.

Just briefly as well, they have unearthed a rich seam of talent. We

thought Driscoll, Darcy and O'Connell would leave them bereft

but the new generation, Furlong, Ringrose, Carbery coming through as

well, they have seemingly come from nowhere. He reminds me of Driscoll

in his early days, and I for the line and the gap and he will keep

trying. Many youngsters have the merger in their head, I will keep

going, rather than being programmed. I am really looking forward to that.

There is a lot of pressure on Sexton because I don't think the centres

have a great kicking game. There is a lot of pressure on Sexton. We will

talk more about Ireland and the rest of the Six Nations teams and a

little while but it is not just the senior men's teams this weekend, the

under 20s and women are as well. Wales women are in the House!

CHEERING. APPLAUSE. Great

all on board, Charis Phillips, Captain. -- great to have you on

board. Your campaign has been good, a win in Spain and Ireland and you

have been filming a documentary. Yes, we have had four games before

the Six Nations four wins, a great feeling for us and we are building

as a squad each we play, but we won't get too comfortable because we

have a lot of hard work still to put in to consistently compete at the

top level of rugby. We are looking forward to the Six Nations now. I

would ask you about the impact of the new coach but he is your dad so

I know what the answer would be! Yes, he is my dad, but in camp he is

my coach. As a squad we have respect for him as well. It is nice to have

the whole coaching staff with professional backgrounds and they

bring that expectation and standards for us and we have to rise to it. It

is a good feel at the minute in camp. We spoke to die young earlier

in the season who said Thomas has to play harder than anyone else, is it

the same for Carys? We have a professional environment, and Carys

has worked a bit harder I think, just so nobody can say that, but I

definitely don't think it is a case of thinking Charis has to compete

harder. A few shots of the documentary, you training hard, keep

up the good work. Mel, fourth last year, what is your target this year?

Top! We can end on that, confident! Keep an eye on the Wales women, best

of luck to them. Best of luck to be under 20s as well, we hoped to get

them in the studio but best of luck to all our teams.

Let's turn our attention to Scotland and France, really favoured these

days, not seen as potential champions, but right off at your own

peril. -- write them off. Merrifield is absolutely rocking.

To feel Scotland have the depth, the players that can perform now? We

have players that can win, we still don't have the magical number with a

majority of the squad with between 40 and 80 caps but we have players

with shared experience who have played Test match rugby and are

getting better. It is a young team coming together with a few older

heads. It is confidence but there are a humble group of players and

they certainly know there is a hierarchy and they have to do

something exceptional. Are you coming into this campaign more

optimistic than you ever have been Marc

? There are silent indicators that Scottish rugby is on the move in the

right direction with players qualifying from Europe. I am no more

confident because the teams we are playing have improved as well. Look

at Ireland firstly, it doesn't get more difficult than that.

What a try for France and the captain scores. Having swapped the

Tigers for Toulouse, one man who knows all about the French style of

play is former England international Toby Flood. France at the moment,

the backs have a new lease of life and they are putting their own

personality and mark on a game but at the same time they are still

lacking a little cohesion, and that will probably come with time. You

can see Guy's personality come through. It seems to be the tightest

championship we have had for years, it could be. You are right, it is

going to be very close. It is exciting and great to be part of and

we look forward to getting started. We

, Scotland -- we say it every year. You sense a lot rests on the first

game, if they beat Ireland, they can get on a roll. I hope your husband

is in watching! Shouldn't have said that, should I? I can't see it. With

Glasgow playing the way they are and Scotland to some extent as well,

they are playing exciting rugby and try to score tries. Where I think

they lack at international level is power in the back row to carry the

ball and in midfield to carry the ball. They have skilful players that

whether they have the power to bust through defences when they need to,

I think that's where they lack at the moment, but they play well and

are looking to be exciting. The new game is much faster, fewer set

pieces, more playing, fabulous counterattacking, so they will cause

trouble and may win matches, but I don't know if they are getting close

to the top of the table. If we talk about research in Scotland, we could

talk about a resurgent France as well, so long they lacked an

identity. Didn't rate and the tall. On this show we talked about South

Africa, how pants they were and how Wales would beat them. We class

France pretty close to it -- I would class them. We saw the close line

against Australia was flattering for them. New Zealand were tired. I

watched some of the Top 14 on TV as drudge, absolute drudge. They could

do something, but in terms of development, ambition, it is a

boring team. I don't think they are fit enough, look at the French

league, they are not fit enough. If they get smashed into Ocon... They

don't have smart enough players. Chops and changes too much. The key

is, as Quinn said, when we were in Scotland they used to compete but

not score tries. That is where the differences -- difference is. For me

the scrum-half is Upper To Make Him Captain, I Think It

Blunts Scotland's attacking play. I will be interested to see how that

develops in the Six Nations. I think the demise of Scotland has been the

biggest blow in the Six Nations. Every year you go back 20 years or

so to other players, and you think, they will entertain us. I cannot

remember the last time I was on the edge of my seat watching France.

Fijian 's! It will be sad but interesting to see what is done with

them in this tournament. You have been on a trip this week. 24 hours

in Rome, not romantic, I just saw Conor O'Shea. Let's see how he is

settling in as the new head honcho. Rome is a place where Wales have

experienced mixed fortunes. There was the eight try romp two years ago

but dark days as well they would rather forget and when they face

Italy in the study Olympic Owen a week they will face a new team

coached by new man determined to turn them from perennial Wooden

Spoon winners to genuine contenders. You greeted me in fluent Italian so

clearly you are settling in well. Everyday is learning day. It was

pretty special beating South Africa. We are getting stronger and

stronger, we will have great days and tough days, but we will get

better and better. Perhaps the fixture list is in your favour this

year. I said to the players, I am not a shirker, I know I am judged on

results but we have a lot to change here, I want to see energy, workrate

and intensity from minute 12-minute 80. Winning is irrelevant. That will

happen. Our performance is what is important and that's what will focus

on. How do you rate this current Wales? If I went through the team

and options and selection options, they are incredible. We know the

threats they have and the ability they have in the backline to strike

from anywhere. They have one of the great leaders of world rugby now

Alun Wyn has taken over. They have leaders throughout. It will be

pretty brutal. We need Italian rugby to be strong because we want the

game to expand, and we will be very, very intense. Sergio Priest they 14

Six Nations campaign coming up. He is unbelievable but truly

spectacular. If you play 20 odd times for your country, suffered

dark days, still alive with the love of a child for the game, still

wanting to win, still thinking, this is what we will be in three years'

time, still buying into it, not many people are like that. We know we

have to improve. This is not a country we can let rugby go

backwards in. Hopefully we can put a performance in against Wales and

make the people here proud. You can never kid people, if they see energy

and workrate, the team literally willing to fight tooth and nail for

80 minutes, they understand, and that is probably where the gladiator

in the Coliseum comes from. We talked about Eddie Jones getting

inside your head earlier and persuading him at this point of

view. Conor O'Shea has that similar approach, he convinces you to

believe in his theory. I left thinking, you will take it to them.

Worried I think is the word. We can gather from someone like Conor

O'Shea is that he is clever and smart and intelligent from the way

he chats there. Wherever he has gone he has made a change and had an

impact and made a difference. He will struggle with Italy because

everywhere he has been before it has been a rugby country with a rugby

philosophy. This is totally different, and he doesn't have the

talent yet. The clubs are playing in the Pro12, there was a massive high

when they beat South Africa but that was a poor South African side. It

will just be a start in five or ten years which is great, but then they

lost to Tonga, which shows you the dynamic of the national side. If

anyone can make a change, that clever man can and I wish in the

best of luck. He was talking about Sowrey say with the love of the game

like a child. They have great players, but without Parisse, what

are they? Look at Richie McCaw's record, someone like -- something

like 95% success rate that you can put down to those captains, Parisse

is about that mark but when you think his appetite is as great as

ever in a team that more often than not loses, and loses heavily, then

you have to take your hat off to the man. He is one of the all-time great

number eight to probably a bit like George Best in soccer wondered, why

did I never get a chance to win World Cup 's? Parisse alone as a

threat and it will be interesting to see what team Wales, with. We

mentioned bonus points, they are in the Six Nations tournament, and in

the past they have experimented against Italy and gone looking for

tries and to wreck of a heavy score. It is not necessarily the place to

do that, is it, to go there first and look to tries? When you pick a

game you don't think you will win by 40, you set up to win the game than

ones who are in a position of comfort you try to score tries. It

is all about creating and taking opportunities and that is the

problem we have had. We have not created anything so we don't score a

lot of tries. The problem we have is selection of midfielders. Are we

creating it or not? I don't think he will make much change. It will be

Dan Biggar, Scott Williams, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, but for me,

now, I would start with Sam Davies. You know what Dan Biggar does and if

it is a problem you put him on. I might be tempted to play Dan Biggar

at 12 because he has the distribution. For me it is not about

Parisse but their creativity, the Italians, full-back is very average,

half-backs are poor and they can't control games, they have no

creativity, but off the field, that will get a couple of years to come

through. We'll sit back, be patient, absorb it for the first 20 minutes

then cut loose. I think we need that creativity in midfield. George North

has stepped up. We all recognise what a great player he has been for

Wales. In the last couple of seasons he hasn't performed, he needs to be

standing by the Centre's shoulder giving him the ball as much as

possible. It is up to the Welsh boys to have an attitude and when it

comfortably and start the Six Nations on the front foot. You spoke

about the backs, how do they go in the back row? I agree with Sam

Davies. Attacking rugby starts at ten generally. He is the best at

doing it in Wales, Dan Biggar. I think it starts with Sam Davies.

Back row wise, same argument for Tipuric at seven, he has to be part

of that team, but it leaves a slight in terms of competing for the ball

which is a massive part. Tipuric doesn't do it as well as a

Wolverton. Warburton and Alun Wyn didn't compete against Australia in

the first game of the autumn. We were lighting tackling and

struggled. Gethin Jenkins isn't there any more so who will compete

for the ball? If Fallon et al is fit and he plays, I think Moriarty will

come into that position -- Toby Feller Tao, Sam Warburton still has

a great role to play and I think he should start with Moriarty at eight.

How are these new directive is likely to play into the Six Nations?

We have seen questionable cards being shown and players getting to

grips with the directives. Eddie Jones said he was worried gains

might be decided by a bad decision. There will be a controversial

incident involving none. The wrong player will be sent off as happened

in a recent Saracens game when Barrington the prop was sent off and

Brad Barritt should have gone. I should hope referees should have the

mouse to referee with empathy and be able to discern what is deliberate

and not be sympathetic. Getting back to Wales, the questions that concern

me, George North, no tries in five games, Jonathan Davies well below

par. Luke Charteris, half an hour for Bath this month played, Faletau

hasn't played since Christmas Eve. Warburton was a victim of the

confusion in being made captain and then wasn't captain when push came

to shove. How will they react? Leaning towards a Grand Slams. That

is the back row I would go with, play Wolverton at six, Moriarty

deservedly at eight. I don't see how you can play Faletau. You can't.

Here's the one guy who seems to come back like that. Hears world-class.

He has not had any injuries apart from this last time. Something in

the water in Bath! He didn't play much against South Africa that he is

such quality player. You have to start without him but if he has half

a chance of being fit you stick on the bench, here is that good. The

other minor decision is where they play Halfpenny and Liam Williams.

There is more freedom on the pitch for wingers these days to move

around. You see Ashton doing it with Saracens, and in Claremont it was

unbelievable. You could say give the freedom to Williams to do it more

but his biggest strength is hitting the line, coming from odd angles,

and also counterattacks, something we are quite poorer. For me I would

play him at full-back but it seems almost certain they would put

Halfpenny and full-back and Williams on the wing. Who would you go for in

centre? I like the potential of Scott Williams, I say potential

because he has been around for a while and amass the caps. Jamie

doesn't help in terms of that he is that far-away. It just hasn't fired.

I would back the boys by saying go with Davies, because I prefer a ten,

when I played at centre, that ran, so it took the focus away from what

we were doing. Rob Andrew. Yes, exactly the same thing, who would

you rather play with, and I would rather play with the running.

Farrell is not the fastest guy in the world but because you have

players outside him and he directs them, especially with Ashton, they

create space and think outside the box, they look for work. If some

Davies takes the ball to the line, same as a forward does, that holds

defenders and if you have players either side you create space. You

could be telling George North, get on my shoulder, George, you have

them all as many times as you can. He needs to get in the ball far

more. He is massive and can score, he is quick, he just needs the ball

in hand all the time. I still think Liam Williams is a full-back and

Halfpenny as a winger, Rob Howley is the coach and doesn't agree with me

so it will not happen! The argument against some Davies was size and

stature that look at Ford, Russell, Foley. Beauden Barrett. There are

ways of hiding it. I think it gives you more in attack and you lose in

any other position. His kicking game as good as well. Dan Biggar is a

fine player but the game have changed and can work score points?

The game hasn't changed. The game changes with the personnel who are

playing. You still have to score. There are fewer scrums and

line-outs, more open play time players going up so you will have to

create, not like we did with Jamie Roberts, who was great, far fewer

line-outs now, people don't give this line-out so Jamie becomes

redundant in that game plan. Now we have to create from rock faces and

faces and counterattack and turnover rather than online + scrums. One

player won't make a difference with Coral and Ford. Farrell and Ford

coming with the phase is not from the set pieces, but then you have to

go back to what you are good at, more of a forceful game, playing...

Headaches...! We will catch you up in the second, we have to leave it

there but let's look at this pair because with him then they have 78

caps from their respective countries, Tom Shanklin with 74

Wales, David Blackman a mere eight for England but still suggested

eight English caps was the equivalent of 80 Welsh caps!

Unbelievable! Here they are with their guide to the Six Nations.

It's what makes the Six Nations so special. It is the history of the

competition, growing up watching it, seeing the reruns of the 70s team

with Gareth Edwards, J PR, Jiffy, those shorts! I think it is about

proximity. It is not what team you support week to week or if you don't

support a team, you come together as a nation to support your nation

against another nation which is really close by so you know lots of

Irish, Scottish, in which and Welsh people and it is the bragging rights

that makes the Six Nations so special for me. Who will win it? I

say this every year. This will be the toughest competition to date in

the Six Nations. Against Italy's form, beating South Africa in the

autumn, Ireland beating the All Blacks, Scotland vastly improved, I

think of Wales cannot beat England in the Principality Stadium it will

come down to the last game, Ireland versus England. Who wins that? It

pains me to say it but I think England might. It pains me because I

think you are probably right. I want England to do well but not quite as

well without you in the team! I stopped playing four years ago and

have stayed in immaculate conditions and sometimes I think, why do I

bother! Who do you think will be the best player in this tournament? We

cannot count out that guy. Who is that? I think it is Rocky Balboa!

Sam Warburton is no longer captain, Alun Wyn Jones has taken over,

playing with less pressure, he has a points to prove. That is the right

move, look out for what Britain also Stuart Hogg of Scotland, I think the

best 15th in the northern hemisphere at the moment, I think you will have

a huge Six Nations. I like Iain Henderson, in terms of power he is a

preacher and I say that as a compliment. He is the new Stephen

Ferris for Ireland. You played rugby for Wales, had you think Wales will

do? I think Wales have a good chance, look at their autumn

campaign, three from four, although not the greatest rugby, they will

take confidence from that. Look at the squad picked, seven exciting

uncapped players, they may not feature in the first few games but I

hope we will see them in the tournament, and look at the current

crop, Tipuric, Williams. I like him. It is weird. He is my favourite! If

they can beat England in the second game they can go on to win it. That

is a big if! Really big. I think that is enough, that is good stuff,

I am starving, I would like to eat and go home. That's fine. Let's hand

back to Sarra in the studio. Goodbye!

Was that the Mitchell brothers? I thought we were mates! Good one.

Let's talk about the Lions. It is shadowing everything that happens

this season, there is a line is damaging to everything we talk

about. This tournament is the final trial, a tournament in its own right

for every one of those players. How much will that way on their minds?

Obviously you want to play well, if you don't you don't get in the

Lions, simple as that. Competition is tougher, there are players who

have come through since the last Lions tour and Warren Gatland said

today, the Welsh players need to perform to put their hands up. The

most successful you are in this tournament, the more chance you have

of being in the Lions. The Lions are like bonus points. You want to play

well first, if you do, that takes care of your selection, if you score

tries that takes care of the bonus points. You have done it, as Ross

said, it is a huge competition, but for certain individuals is lower

danger they will concentrate more on their game to the detriment may be

of their team? No, not in my experience, you literally have to go

out and play well in the team you have been picked for. Do well in the

Five Nations as it was and you could guarantee and spot. The side that

wins the Grand Slam or championship will dominate more than likely the

Lions side. Which we saw a few years ago, the victory 30-3, four Wales,

crowned the championship. Yes, and it was also the last great

performance for Wales, four years ago! But right now, if you were to

pick a Lions test team to pick next week -- play next week you would

have one Welshman and one Welshman only and that would be Alun Wyn

Jones, and even then he has competition from people like

Launchbury and Graham. You will get competition. But it is ferocious in

the second row, tougher there than other players. The only other person

close to being nailed on this CJ Stander, who is another example of

how Ireland and Scotland have managed the top players, love them

all over them and most of us loathe them because we like to think you

have to be born in the country to play in a country, but they have

done more successfully than the Welsh regions. I think Farrell is

nailed on. Like you said, you score tries, you have to scroll with the

All Blacks and play with the vision, and I think Sexton and Farrell had

turned 12 at the moment. A lot will change and there are probably people

now who you are not thinking about who by the end of March will be at

the front of the Q. Let's talk predictions for next weekend.

Scotland, Ireland? Island, comfortably. I think Scotland might

sneak it. Ireland. Ireland. England France? England. I wish! England.

Who's the referee? LAUGHTER. I go England. Did we do Wales? Wales,

comfortable. CHEERING. APPLAUSE. We expected that answer. You all

agree on something! You are like This Morning! . Thanks to our

special guests, Jonathan Davies, Jeremy Guscott, Gwyn Jones and Peter

Jackson. CHEERING. APPLAUSE. Thank you very much for watching and

our wonderful studio audience as well, just six more sleeps until the

tournament so if you haven't had enough tonight Gwyn and Peter will

hang out for a Facebook Live, and another big preview programme coming

on Friday on the eve of the tournament. See you next week.

CHEERING. APPLAUSE. Having built the Welsh up

to be a certain thing I remember you taking your cans off and going, oh,

I get it. I remember turning round and seeing three blokes behind us in

tears, and it wasn't till I'd actually seen that but I really

truly understood that when people talk about the game being in the

nation's soul, it actually is the sole for a lot of people.