01/02/2013 Sport Wales

Good evening and welcome to Sport Wales. So tomorrow the 2013 Six

Nations tournament starts right It is going to be a try. And Wales

Jamie Roberts! John Davies. It is a The try has not been awarded to

England. Wales have won at We'll bring you all the latest from

both Wales and Ireland camps plus Brian O'Driscoll talks Six Nations

and Lions with Jonathan Davies. this going to be your last Six

Nations? There is a strong possibility this could be the last

one. And we meet the Welshman aiming for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

We're on the road with Wales manager Chris Coleman. Eventually.

I have had could -- had this car six months, it has done 20,000

miles an hour I have a flat tyre! But we start here at the Millennium

Stadium where Wales will be looking to stop a run of seven successive

defeats tomorrow. We've been into both camps to assess the mood ahead

of the RBS Six Nations opener. The luck of the Irish? Hardly the

case in the last two Six Nations meetings with Wales getting the rub

of the green. Remember the try two years ago that should never have

been given? That was not the right ball. The ball went into touch. The

line-out was taken with a different ball. That cannot happen. The score

stands. In Dublin last year, it was the referee who got the blame as a

late penalty decision went against them. Stephen Ferris is going to

the bin. And Wales will have the kick for the match. The batwing set

Wales on their way to a third Grand Slam in seven years. In the

meantime, things have gone downhill rapidly for Wales. A drubbing in

the autumn and the record which now stands at seven successive defeats.

It will be a try. A we spoke about that when the boys came in. It is

important that the motivation and that experience you learn as a

player and a coach, we do not forget about that and you look back

at that and learn from those moments in the game. But we are

grand-slam champions. We are at home first up and we can take a lot

of pride from that. Ireland's struggles continued in the autumn.

But there were some promising signs. The selectors have kept faith with

the youngsters. Whenever you play for your country, it is an honour

and we will be looking to put - to the jersey proud. We know what

Wales are about. They are late great side with some great coaching

staff. They will be tough to beat. But we will be looking to do that.

Brian O'Driscoll, a true legend of the game, a-day man that has halted

Wales plenty of times in the past will be playing. It is going to be

a try for Brian O'Driscoll. Once more, Wales are blighted by

injuries and have given an unexpected injury to Dragons second

row Andrew Coombs. The it was a bit of a shock but I had been watching

it very closely unfortunately, people -- and fortunately people

have been getting injured -- unfortunately. A island will be

missing some big names. That gives Declan Kidney a few selection

headaches. There are several positions. It is a compliment to

the guys when you think that we are missing players such as Tommy Bowe

and Stephen Ferris. We have Rhys Priestland on the sidelines, Dan

Biggar gets the nod at number Het - - Number 10, ahead of James Hook.

And he has a real chance to make the position his own. I think his

form warrants a start. I think, I watched him in the Heineken Cup,

and the challenge for Dan Biggar is now to bring back form into the

national jersey. And also for us to step back from the number 10 jersey.

Dan Biggar is a confident young man. He has only had a handful of caps

for Wales. He is going to flourish. He needs time to flourish. A lack

of specialist line-out options has tipped the balance in favour of

Aaron Shingler in the back -- back- row. There is a lot of options at

back-row, to be fair. It is one of those possessions that have been

strong for us. We have a strong squad of back-row players. I was

not entirely sure at the start when I was going to play. Do I have been

learning roles just in case. But I have been picked at number 7 and I

am happy to be playing there on Saturday. But with Lions selection

on the horizon, there is even more pressure on the skipper to display

the format he showed at the World Cup. -- the former. Quite a few

times, I have come into campaigns are people do not expect us to do

very well. People did not expect us to do very well last year. Until

that first weekend of rugby, it is hard to predict what will happen. I

am always an optimist and am very positive, as are the coaches. The

players are the same as well. When you come into the Welsh environment,

you put what has happened in the past behind you and start afresh.

We have got together a couple of weeks ago and we are defending

grand-slam champions and that is while -- how we will approach the

campaign. The yard grand-slam champions and we will not give it

Like last year, Wales kick off the tournament against Ireland. Many

thought that Wales won the Grand Slam last year in that first game.

It is hard to look past this first encounter this year. It is always

the same. We talk about it every season. It sets the tone, sets the

momentum. It puts you in the end of the championship at least. -- hunt.

It is so important that you get a good start. Where are the

expectations are fat -- from the Welsh public? For once,

expectations are not as high as usual. Regional rugby is a report

in Europe. Injuries have blighted the side. For once, expectation is

not quite as high. But people pay their money and they expect a

performance. Let's look at these elections. There was a clamour for

Justin Tipuric to start at open- side. I feel sorry for him starting

on the bench. Through this season, he has been the best number 7 in

Wales. But when you compare Justin Tipuric's performances to Wales

compared to Sam Warburton's performances for Wales, you would

say he has been more effective in the physical battles of

international rugby. The second row. Andrew Coombs get a start. If we

can get some sort of committed, energetic, powerful, robust sort of

performance from him, I think he will be happy. We are so unlucky to

have lost all four macro second rows. Ian Evans has not played for

the best part of two years. It just underlines how much trouble they

are in when they have to resort to him. We have not got any one else.

Let's look at the backs. We will start with Number 10, Dan Biggar

gets the nod. Agree with that? There is a lot of talk about it. I

have not seen James Hook play rugby properly for about two years. I

have seen him play twice for Perpignan and I cannot judge a

section on that. Maybe the Welsh public can do that because they

watch Perpignan regularly! But the best outside-half for me in Wales

has been Dan Biggar. No Polish training camp, no Warren Gatland.

What difference do you expect that to make? It has changed the dynamic

and the preparation but probably they wanted to concentrate more on

team issues like the line-out, like the scrum. There are so many new

faces in the second row, the back- row, without Dan Lydiate. Added is

a chance for Robert Howley to change things up a little bit. It

is not quite the same and he wants to put his stamp on it. They all

took a fair bit of flak over the autumn. How hungry will they be?

For some of them, it is the first time they have had that public

criticism on their backs. They have been eulogised since coming into

the side. But you can use that motivation to drive yourself

forward and to make sure it does not happen again. And to prove

people wrong. Most people have island down as favourite. I do not.

And I think they can prove everyone wrong. Thanks Gwyn, more from you

in just a moment. But stay with us.# coming up we sent Jonathan

Davies to Dublin to catch up with Ireland's talismanic centre Brian

The captaincy has been given to Jamie Heaslip. What are your

thoughts on that? My initial thoughts were a disappointment, it

is something, I have been captain for 10 years of the national team,

added his something that's a pretty comfortable on my shoulders. -- and

it is something. Well, Chris Coleman's Wales team are also in

action next week, a friendly against Austria in Swansea before

the World Cup campaign resumes next month. But what's life like for an

international manager in the long weeks and months between games? Ian

Hunt spent some time with Coleman to find out what he does away from

the big-game spotlight. For 25 years, club football ran in

the blood of Chris Coleman. He played centre-half for four

different clubs before converting to management at Fulham and

Coventry and clubs in Spain and Greece. Then came International

Management, a job they say that it is a bit more lonely, always

waiting for games to come around, watching, phoning, planning, but

during the downtime you will find your modern Wales manager out on

the road at roadshows and school visits, trying to find new

followers and gets off the old ones back. Along the way, we have lost

40,000 fans back -- and the wet -- the best way to get them back is to

win games. We know that, ultimately. It is my job to speak with the

Welsh supporters and speak with the next generation of Welsh fans. And

tried to get them to follow us. During your time at craven cottage,

how would you describe your relationship with the other Premier

League managers. They're British guys, I had a good relationship.

And then Chelsea signed Joe say Mo Reen owe. I had a good relationship

with him he had good time. We played and they won 2-0. I spoke to

him after the game and said maybe I should have done that. But he said,

bottom line is, don't forget I have got better players than you!

Bearing in mind I'm used to talking with adults and dealing with

players or agents and the media. When you're speaking with children,

your terminology has to be different and you have to remember

you're talking to young children. So you have to change your words.

So they can understand what you're trying to say. They're kids and

they're so sweet and great and innocent. One school talk done.

There is another one to go. So the mimes must be adding up. -- miles.

I have had this car six months. It has done nearly 20,000 miles and

now I have a flat tyre. You're joking! Chris, all fixed, what's

happened? We can't see him he is behind the camera, but he has put

the wheel back on. I'm going to go to this other school and do another

talk and get it to a garage as fast as I can. But thank you very much.

I'm with the kids, with the adilts. Have you had a real stinker of

question? Where you have thought? Once a kid asked me for my PIN

number. I didn't give it. But no, I have never had any bad questions.

I'm as hopblest as I can be with them. In the sense to be successful

at anything it is not a smooth path. There is loads of knock backs and

criticism. And it is just trying to save to them, -- say to them look,

Foyers and foremost, academically you have to get that right and

leave school with something. Whatever sport you're in, work hard.

And I never did. Touch wood, you know I made a career in football.

But if I hadn't I don't know what I would have done. If this public

speaking role shows another side to Chris Coleman, are we seeing

another side to him on the touch line. He said he is less volatile

than he was. The referee got it wrong. When I was younger I

couldn't hide what I was feeling. I used to say it. It is all right for

you guys, it is good TV. After I had to pick up the pieces and get a

slap on the wrists from the FA or whatever. As you get older, I still

do it from time to time, sometimes I wear my heart on my sleeve. But

I'm probably better at hiding... What I really want to say. You

can't always say what you want to say. When I was younger I was more

feisty and aggressive than I am now. But that never got me anywhere. So

you know, there is certain things that I changed that I wanted to

change. The emotions can still run high when you're struggling for

victories, with one win from their first four qualifier, Wales' World

Cup Qualifier if Iing resumes in March. Austria is a tough time for

us. They're an aggressive team and it will be a good te. We need a

good result going into the games with Croatia and Scotland. How good

is it to have Bellamy and Colin son back? Jack has worked so hard and

he deserves it. He is a great kid and nice to have Craig Bellamy back.

He has done brilliant for Cardiff. But he is in a good place,

physically and mentally. We will take it game by game with Craig.

There is no pressure on him. He's souper plair. Hopefully we will

have it back. All the best for Austria and good look and -- luck

and good luck changing the tyre as well. Changing sports and Britain's

ice hockey team play in the final round of qualifying for the 2014

winter Olympics. Steffan Garrero went to visit the Webbman hoping to

sup jet the -- Welshman hoping to upset the odds and join the sports

elite next year. It has been 65 years since Britain last played at

a winter Olympics. Now a group of Welsh men from three clubs are on

the verge of qualifying. Our first stop is in Cardiff. This is the

biggest year in the last 0 years. We have played three games in the

pre-Olympic qualifiers. -- 30 years. We have the Olympic qualifiers in

Latvia and the World Championships, which we have got a good shot at.

Take us back to Japan and the tournament there. We didn't get the

best start. We lost to sft Korea, but no one got down and we knew if

we won against Romania, the game with Japan would be a winner takes

all. That is how it turned out. There was a great atmosphere and it

was one of the best games I have been involved in. The whole team

stuck together and you look at the others and they're Geding --

getting funding and they have played exhibition game and you're

meeting two or three days before and it is good when you see the

results coming through from that teak work. The second destination

is the home of Nottingham Panthers and the home of a Welshman who went

past the 50 cap mark. We are in the second round of qualifying. The

guys loving to be together and everyone work towards winning.

much would it mean if you could get through this round and come up.?

would be fantastic and hopefully then we will get more exposure and

the nation will get behind us. Because just to represent your

country in an Olympics it fantastic. It would be unbelievable if we

could get through. We play three teams ranked above us, Kazakhstan,

France and Latvia. So it will be a tough group. But there is no

pressure, nobody expected us to be in this round. We played -- if we

play at our best we could get through and that would be fantastic.

But there is no pressure the pressure is on the top seeds. They

have got to deliver and come out and win the group. That is what

they expect. It will be tough playing a team like us who tepd to

play better against better ranked teams. Hopefully with can make

their nights a nightmare. Here we are at on our final destination in

Sheffield, where Britain will play their om warm up game. And we are

here to meet the British captain. You dream of playing for your

country and then to captain your country at the World Championships.

It is a massive honour. The three Welsh guys, have you known each

other all the way through? Yes, we have played since we were kids from

the under 12s and went right through and Matthew went off to

Nottingham. Phil came with me to Sheffield. Then he went back to car

difficult we have always remained friends. We have got three games

before we could make the Olympics. If we win three games, then if

things go our way, then you know the kphrans of playing in the

Olympics is -- chance of playing in the Olympics is massive. It is

everyone's dream. You can listen to the Team GB games next week live on

BBC Radio five live. Back to rugby and Wales have had some memable

games with Ireland in the last few years. Tomorrow, Ireland will be

bolstered by the run of one of their all time greats, the man they

call God. Brian O'Driscoll. Last weekend we sent a Welsh legend,

Jonathan Daveies to Dublin, to spend the day with him. -- Jonathan

Davies. You're a life member here? Yes I am. I got membership in any

my local club. Ridiculous. Gareth Edwards, even he has got to pay and

you get it free. He won't be happy with that. Should have been born

here. He should have been. You like an old duck to? I have every shot

in the book, but I don't know when I'm playing it. How your injure --

- injuries. Yes got. The operated ankle became the good ankle. But

I'm hanging together. That is a scabby one. That is a lovely bunker

shot. I will give you that one. will take that half. Cheers. All

the best, mate. Here we are up the road from your golf club in one of

your local pubs. And back from injury, is this going to be your

last Six Nations? There is every chance. Yes, listen, I haven't

allowed myself to think about finishing. I think if you start

deciding early, you have one foot into retirement already. I haven't

allowed myself to think about it. I'm contracted to the summer. I

will see that out and then see thousand body feels. But there is a

possibility it could be the last. And you can relax this year, the

captaincy has been given to Jamesy Heaslip. What were your thought on

that -- Jamie Heaslip, what are your thoughts on that. It is

disappointing, I have been captain for ten years. I suppose it sat

comfortably on my shoulders, but Jamie did a good job in November.

And declan is looking to look forward to the 2015 World Cup. And

I'm not going to be part of that. So you have to look at it and be

real is tib. How are have the Irish preparation gone? Quite a

successful autumn series, maybe disasoipbted against South Africa,

are you ready for the six nations? Yes we have had a good last week of

training. The first game is pivotal. If you win it you have momentum f

you lose it you're on the back foot. We have to use the positives in

November to carry forward and hopefully yuz use -- use that in

getting going. There is a lot of fresh new faces? Yes, there is a

new team and a huge freshness. But there is an element of the unknown

and sometimes blissful ignorance can be great. I remember being that

person in the 2000 season and not understanding the enormity of

occasions. Sometimes that can work in your favour. COMMENTATOR: What a

try. O'Driscoll keeps Ireland in the hunt. A great pick up.

O'Driscoll again. Here is the hat trick for the youngster. Brian

O'Driscoll. You will have mixed emotions in Cardiff? Yes, for me

the millennium is the best rugby stadium I have played in. The

atmosphere is incredible. You always get a good vibe with the

fans. I have had a lot of games where there has been a lot of

things to play for when we could have won the Grand Slam and then

there has been a couple of tight games, small decision going one way

or another. That is the difference. There is not huge amount between

the teams. We will have our work cut out. There is an injury list in

the second row with Wales, but they have good strength in-depth. After

the end of this, the Lions go to Australia and selection will be

tough. Maybe the toughest choice would be who will be captain. Would

you the -- be delighted to accept that? That would be an honour that

would be too big to pass up. I did it once, only for 45 seconds, but

it would be nice to have another opportunity. But first I have got

to put myself in a position to get on the tour. And deserve my spot.

Good luck with all the rugby this season. Thank you. A mint there

that this might be his last Six Nations. Ten years of international

rugby. Do you see evidence that has taken its toll on him. Is he the

player he was? He is a different player than when we saw him in that

first season and he ripped through Australia. He had such incredible

speed. He has lost some of that. He is a bigger guy now across the

shoulders. But he has gained in other ways. He reads the game

better. But he is still a remarkable player, the most attack

player of his generation. Where duepg Wales can win this? I think

we want this to be a game where we have lot of phase play and can run

our runners at them. I don't think we will change a lot from the way

we have played last season. But Ireland will know that is coming

and will want to stop us. O'Brian may be put out to take the runners

on. Before the autumn internationals I asked you for a

predction you said three wins out of four. I was right? Were you

watch something Come on, we can't look further than Ireland. How do

you see it? I say why not us. If we can get our runners in, I think we

will beat them. I think we will win a close game. Score stkph Oh I

think we will win by three points. Great to see you and that is your