13/11/2015 Sport Wales

Good evening, a very warm welcome to Cardiff City Stadium. We are live,

head of the first Euro 2016 warm up game. We are going Dutch for the

night, a friendly against the Netherlands coming up on match of

the day Wales, but think of us as the starter to the main course. Here

is what is coming up tonight. The first test on the road to

France. We speak to be boss. It is another chance for us to perform for

our country, which has to mean everything. Guest reporter catches

up with some pals. Just wondering if you are missing me? Of course! Joe

Price, the Wales goalkeeper, hoping for an international rugby call-up.

I have been training with the squad and if that were to happen it would

be amazing. And legends reunited. Which one was the best player? The

best player out of the four, it is quite obvious, to be fair, but quite

embarrassing! Yes a warm welcome. The build-up to

France starts here tonight. A warm welcome to our guests, welcome. We

are not used this in Wales, warm up matches for tournaments, exciting

times. It is nice to be the bride and not the bridesmaid for a

change. Somebody has come to give us a game before we go to a major

tournament and not the other way around. The case last year when

Wales played the Netherlands, when the Netherlands were on their way to

the World Cup. No Gareth Bale, no Ramsey. This is a chance to practise

the doomsday scenario if they were not available. Yes, players out of

form, injuries to best players, Chris Coleman will have to get the

tactics right tonight. It will be a difficult game with two best players

missing but we are solid and hard to beat and hopefully we will be

tonight and we are looking for players to come in and see what they

could do. Let's hear from the man who is hoping for a big lift on the

road to France, Chris Coleman. The qualified, a friendly, no

pressure. I wish! There is always pressure, if you want to progress

and do well, you have to put yourself in a situation where there

is always something on it and if you play for Wales there is something

always on it. Has the preparation been different? Seven, nine hours of

football before your first game in Euros, does it start here for the

players? It has started. We have been monitoring them since they have

been with us. We know we're going to a tournament. Tom Bradshaw, it is

his first time with the senior squad, so good to look at him but

people like Adam Henley, Paul Dummett, they have been with us for

a few squads. Do you know you're 23? I know who the captain is. But

not the 23. No Gareth Bale, no Aaron Ramsey, with Gareth, will you have

to put him in cotton wool in the build-up to France? We need to be

careful. If they have injuries and/or in the danger zone, we have

to do that. The last game Bailey played for us, Andorra, before we go

-- Gareth Bale playing is Andorra, we would have to look at that. What

is your main objective? Another game for Wales and another chance to

perform for your country and that has been the foundation of the

success we have had up to this point. The journey is still on and

we must not forget what has made us a tough team to play against. We do

not give up results easily. We can find out who Chris Coleman

has picked to face the Netherlands tonight. Rob is down in the tunnel

with team news. As much as we predicted, Tom

Williams... Tom Lawrence making his first start for Wales after a good

appearance against Andorra and substitute, playing up front.

Jonathan Williams will come in on the one flank and Andy King will

play the Aaron Ramsey role. Chris Gunter earning his 64th cap. Wayne

Hennessey will start in goal, although there might be a change at

half-time. Both sides can play six substitutes. The Netherlands are

starting their build-up for a World Cup campaign in September but they

have experience in Wesley Snyder and Captain Arjen Robben, who has

returned tonight. Four players in the starting line-up with Premier

clubs, including two for Southampton. They include Virgil van

Dijk. Your reaction to the team news. A big opportunity for Tom

Lawrence, who starts. We look strong defensively, the back five, Wayne

Hennessey, and the strength is defence, but we lack going forward

because of injuries. I am looking forward to seeing Tom Lawrence, who

impressed me against Andorra. Good movement, and intelligent footballer

with good awareness. They had up -- a good opportunity for him. They are

coming out to warm up before the game. Your thoughts? I think he has

picked the strongest team. There are issues with injuries but great to

see Johnny Williams playing, he can light up the stadium. Certainly

someone that the manager thinks highly of and who could work his way

into the starting XI. Looking forward to seeing him and hopefully

we can be solid at the back. Chris Coleman said he knows who captain is

for the Euros. Is there room for some young players to force their

way into the squad, or will it be the players who have got Wales to

France? The starting XI, baby 14, 15 players, he will know in the back of

his mind. Because we have struggled to score, if Bradshaw or Lawrence

score on a regular basis, they could force themselves into the squad. OK,

thank you. You are on commentary duty for match of the day at 7:25pm.

Get into position if you would. We are changing tack. In June, the

rugby world was rocked by the tragic deaths of the all Black 's Jerry

Collins and his wife in a crash in France. Their daughter survived but

needs special care. This week some of his Ospreys colleagues got

together for a special evening. Advice, a long time since we have

been at the Liberty Stadium. Three years for me. This is the first time

I have been back. I am surprised they let me in, but nobody stop me.

It is a shame we have to come back for a dinner like this. Out of

everyone, when there is beer and food involved, Jerry would be the

first there. It is a great cause and hopefully a massive success. It is a

fab four events. Anybody good at mathematics can tell there is only

three of us. This guy, possibly the best looking scrum-half in rugby! He

cannot make it because he has a European commitment and hopefully we

will catch up with him soon. We have been giving cards Sport Wales do not

trust us to come up with topics. Best player? I assume that is the

best player out of the four, which is quite obvious to be fair, but

quite embarrassing I cannot answer that. That is not fair. Best try for

Wales? Wales, France for me, in France. COMMENTATOR: Superbly timed

run. Probably Wales and England, I think. COMMENTATOR: A wonderful run

by James Hook. Probably the try against Scotland. Six Nations 2008.

He can create magic again and Williams!

Next one, Champions Cup. That weekend when the Champions Cup

starts. Clermont. I do not think they can can peak 's -- compete, so

I am going for Clermont. Scarlets could do well. I think at the start

of the season, you would think Scarlets have the best chance. But

Toulon again. Next one, Jonathan Davies, I assume the current player

and not the 1 that played in the Thirties! It would be great to have

somebody like Fox back. What region do you fancy? Fastest. I thought it

said fattest, which I could not possibly answer. I am assuming at

the four. There is only one there. Here he comes, any minute now! I

would probably say Shane. Fair enough. I will not argue. Best

looking, right? That is a nine or ten. Self-proclaimed best looking

rugby player ever. The George Best of rugby, Mike Phillips. He wins it

hands down. Last but not least, Mr Jerry Collins, the legend himself.

What tonight is all about. By doing this tonight goes to show what Jerry

meant to everyone. An absolute legend and free spirit. Completely

off his tree, and I mean that respectfully. He was straight and

honest. He had a big impact on the pitch and off the pitch. World

rugby, his face was well known everywhere but he turned up at the

rugby club in the valleys. The most recognised face in world rugby and

on Sunday he would be drinking with the guys who came back from the

minds and the steelworks. Talking about work, how is life? -- mines.

That is what tonight is about and we will raise a lot of money for his

daughter and have a good night and enjoy ourselves.

Good job. These are the European fixtures for

the regions this weekend. Coverage on radio Wales and online.

Some big games coming up for the Wales women's side and one key

player could end up putting on the red jersey in two sports. Cathy

Williams went to meet her. 2015 has proved to be a successful

the men's side, Wales women are in the middle of their Euro campaign,

still searching for the first major tournament. There is one key player

who can help achieve their dream. She has been capped for Wales at

every level and after a five-year sabbatical, she is back and hungrier

than ever. It started when I was young, I was

six years old and my brothers were involved with the club and my mum

and dad brought us two games. I came to a training session. Ronnie, my

brother's coach, said, David, is that your sister kicking a ball over

their? She needs to come to training. We went to a game against

Milford. I remember their opposition. Saying, they have got a

girl! In the second half, the coach was saying, keep it away from the

girl! Fun and games! It is not just the football game she is enjoying

after being spotted at university, she is also having success with the

oval ball. I was playing for all and being a goalkeeper, kicking the ball

long, goal kicks, the rugby coach saw it and asked if I would play as

kicker for the rugby team. Despite not knowing the rules, she has

quickly made a mark in the rugby field and has high hopes of coming

the first international foot taller to play rugby for Wales. It would be

a dream. With football it is difficult. I had been training with

the rugby squad so if it happened, it would be amazing.

It brings back fond memories. A trip down memory lane. This is where we

used to come after the game. Everyone would congregate in here.

You can tell when you have made it when you have got a massive frame

like that on the wall. This was one of my first shirts

given to us when we played for Wales. You are among good company.

Ian Walsh. He is a massive character in this football club. Simon

Davies. He used to play with my brother here. Five years ago, you

retired from football. What are you doing backplane? I had a call from

Jane, the manager for Wales. She said, do you fancy coming to camp

next week is to mark what was it like coming back into the Welsh

team, being part of the Europe campaign? -- next week? Amazing, to

find out you are starting against Austria, the first game in the Euro

qualifiers after being out for so many years, the butterflies came

back. With Kazakhstan and Israel up next, they are hoping to bounce back

from the two defeats against Austria and Norway. We are looking to

prepare and get stronger and better and we have got the defeats but we

are looking to take the win against the teams in the next few games.

Good luck to Wales when they played the giants of Kazakhstan later this

month. We have got Danny still with us. We have been joined by the

former Wales captain, Barry. Difficult question to answer in one

sentence until we know next month exactly who Wales will be playing

because the draw is made in December for next summer, but how do you

think Wales can do next year in France? I would be very disappointed

if they did not get through to the knockout stages. Need a little bit

of luck because the groups have not been drawn yet, we do not know who

is there. You know you will get one of the massive teams and you need

luck with the other teams. With that, with the four best placed

teams going through, I would be disappointed if Wales did not

regress. How far can Wales go? First major Championship. -- progress.

Anything beyond in a quiet is a bonus. 24 teams, a lot of really

good teams in that competition. Danny, Chris Coleman refers to the

Dutch as a wounded animal, they did not qualify amazingly for the Euros.

They will have to come up against a side like the Netherlands, one of

the big sides of world football. Of course. That is why we would have

taken this fixture. Every friendly will be tailored towards the

tournament. They did not qualify but they are still littered with quality

players in the team and Wales are missing two of the best players in

Europe. It will be a difficult task. I am really looking forward to the

game. It will be really intriguing. The fringe players, it is great for

them to be involved in a game like this. Let us get a feel for the mood

inside the Wales cap. We sent Danny Gabbidon to catch up with old pals

-- the Wales camp. Wondering if you are missing me at

all? Of course! It has not been the same without you. What has it been

like? Dead. Definitely not the same. We used to be roommates before I

hang up my boots. Wayne has come in and replaced me. I was just

wondering how he has done? Is he better than me? I cannot say that! I

get more sleep with Wayne. No Eastenders omnibus? No. A few core

-- cough thes. Both of you were good roommates. The first thing I should

ask you is how life has been since qualification last month? It has not

sunk in. On cloud nine. It has been a fantastic achievement what we have

done and all of the boys are buzzing and looking forward to the future

and going to the Euros. Unbelievable time for us. I think it has got to

the stage now where we are hungry for it, to turn up and do well and

hopefully sooner rather than later. What are the things you are really

looking forward to when the tournament comes around? To get

through the group stages is one of the key things for us and to stay in

the competition for as long as you can is the icing on the cake. That

is what we want to achieve. Getting through the group stages will be

very difficult with the seedings. But I think we are capable of doing

it with the players we have got. With the fans behind us as well.

That is the main aim for us. Two things I have got to ask you and one

of that is the big hairy thing on your face. First we started the

Euros and I had a little bit of growth and I said, listen, things

are going pretty well, I am not going to shave until we qualify. We

kept on going and eventually we qualified. I have to give the vote

on Twitter and see what people will do. It is costing me a fortune with

the oil and shampoo. I think you should keep it. I would not

recognise you. What about going on to the dance that went viral? Did

you think that would go so big when you strutted your stuff at the

time? I did not realise there was a camera there, I thought there were

photographers taking pictures and we started singing and I got too

excited. Especially out in Bosnia, the heat of the moment, all

together, I think he just went for it. I just went for it. There is a

camera here today. Do you fancy it? I do not think my hips are warm

enough! Personally, I know there is another date in the summer which is

just as important. Just wondering, the wife to be, a little bit worried

when qualification was achieved. She was not happy! That is what... We

were supposed to be getting married. Which date is going to be

more important? Would it be... Being married to the nation for a couple

of weeks or married to the wife for a lifetime? You cannot ask that

question. You need to be diplomatic, be careful. I know Ruby

well. Say the right thing. It has got to be the wife. Pleasure talking

to you. Thank you very much for your time. Cheers. Thanks a lot, mate.

The right answer! Joe Ledley. The rock and roll life of a Premier

League footballer, staying up late to watch the Eastenders omnibus.

What did you think of his interviewing technique? A second

career beckons! Danny, Wayne Hennessey saying they are hungry to

do well at the Euros and hungry to keep doing well at Cardiff City

Stadium, they have not lost here for two years. They want to keep this

going tonight. That is what it is about, creating a willing mentality

in the team and that is what Chris Coleman has done. Going to France,

they will not rest on their laurels, the work starts again. It is not

about having a holiday. They want to do well when they get there. It is a

winning culture that Chris Coleman and the team are breeding. You know

how hard it is to beat the Netherlands, Barry. You have tried

and failed with plenty of others. How do you think it will go tonight?

I have to say, I think this is more important for the Netherlands than

from Wales. They had a disastrous campaign and they have got to

reinvent themselves. They will be up for it. It will be difficult for the

Welsh lads so soon after a really intense qualifying campaign to come

back and start again. It is part of the building process, a couple of

young lads coming in who will stake a claim. -- claim. -- staked a

claim. I do not see too many of those players. They are good players

but not players you go, wow. That was then, they have changed a bit,

the Dutch, since then. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for watching

Sport Wales this evening. We hope it has whetted your appetite. It is

time for the main event. Standing by, Jason and guests. France is on

the horizon and football, it seems, is taking over the nation. Wales's

quest for a place in France starts here in Andorra. He hates it! 2-0.

It is Gareth Bale again! -- he hits it! Straight to bale. Gareth Bale

strikes again! The final whistle goes. A nation

believes. Wales have beaten Alger, ranked

second in the world. -- Belgium. Wales will be in France next summer

in the Euro 2016 final. Chris Coleman's men have taken Welsh

football from the shackles of their history.

Football fever has gripped the nation. Just under 18 months ago,

Wales were warm up fodder for the Netherlands. Wales were ranked 43 in

the Fifa rankings. The Dutch almost reaching the World Cup final. 18

months on, Wales have made it to Euro 2016, the first major finals

since 1958. Wales sit 15th in the Fifa world rankings above the

Netherlands who amazingly have not qualified. The Dutch arrived at

Cardiff City Stadium to help us with our preparation. Good evening to

you. Welcome to the Cardiff City Stadium. It is a very damp Cardiff

City Stadium and I hope that where ever we are based in France next

year for Euro 2016 it will be a lot warmer and sunnier. A big test for

Chris Coleman's side. Alongside me, Kit Symons, part of the Euro 2016

qualifying campaign before taking over the reins at Craven Cottage. We

will talk about follow later. First, when you are Chris Coleman and you

arrange a friendly like this, what do you want to get out of your side?

A good test against a strong side. The Dutch are having a tough time at

the moment but they have got quality players. A great work-out for the

boys. You know the squad in the dressing room right now, when you

are missing key individuals like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, what

is the spirit like in the camp? They will be missed but the spirit is as

if they were here. A good mood in the camp and it has been building.

It is a solid environment we have got and it will be good. So much has

been written about Chris Coleman as well. What does he bring to the

side? He is a leader of men. From playing days when we were together

years ago, people follow him. He is very honest, heart on his sleeve,

the players respond. He is a really good leader. We have been talking to

key members of the Wales team to find out what Chris Coleman brings

to the Wales party. He came in in impossible circumstances. He treats

every lap the same, he has got the best out of the lads and he has

proved it on the pitch -- lad. We saw how tough it was and some of the

stick he was getting, probably very undeservedly. To see how well he has

done now is great for him, and as players, we are really happy. We are

a tight group, team spirit is big. I am sure that shows on the pitch.

Every performance we put in, only good things for us. He has got us

working together, he has got us organised on the field and I think

he has got the feel-good factor back about Welsh football, really. He has

got a great personality and the players want to play for him. You

can see they love him and they respond to him. His management is

second to none. Also, he has developed tactically. He is very

tactically astute. I do not think there is another international

manager we have faced who has got the better of him. He has been

absolutely magnificent. Could you understand that in the World Cup

qualifying campaign, there were questions about you and Chris

Coleman, could you understand the criticism? That is football,

everything is down to results. They want them immediately. We did not

get them. It was disappointing in the end. I am delighted Chris has

been given the time to prove how good he is and people are seeing it

now. Certainly the decision to stick with him has been absolutely

vindicated. We are delighted to welcome Howell who was part of the

Wales side as well, not here this evening playing because of injury,

having a great season for Reading. How much would you love to be out in

this wonderful Welsh rain? I would love to be out there. I got

an injury against Andorra. The boys will be relishing this. It is

against top