End of the year, time for reflection.

Okay so it has been a while since I last posted, but I feel that after yesterday's game I can finally put an objective post that best describes Welsh Rugby at the end of 2011. A lot has happened since our joyous victory over Ireland, and not all of it for the good. So, I feel that in response to everything that has happened in the past two months, a 5-point list is needed to go through everything that we have learned in 2011. Here we go:

1) We are a top 5 international side, lets tell ourselves this. Yes our performance in the World Cup was probably the best bar that of the hosts', but we should take it one step at a time. We were unlucky against the French, but our performances against Australia at the World Cup and yesterday tell a much bigger story. We can argue that our Semi Final took it out of us for the play off match, and that we were fatigued and affected by Shane's last game yesterday in Cardiff. But can we use that as an excuse? Australia were battered after their Semi, and hadn't played in 5 weeks except for their win over the Barbarians a week ago. Wales looked overawed in both games, and failed to play with the grit and consistency that took them past all others at the World Cup. We need to tell ourselves we are as good as the top teams, in order to beat them.

2) Either Rolland was wrong, or the rules are not clear enough. I have seen plenty of dangerous tackles made on the pitch whilst being a spectator, and in terms of Warburton's tackle on diminutive French winger Clerc, there have been far worse, even during the World Cup itself. Lets check out the facts. Warburton is a number 7, weighing upwards of 16 stone, and is a monster when the ball is around. Clerc is a number 14, weighing 3 stone less than Warburton, and is known to be fleet of foot. It was a mismatch, Warburton took him hard, but ultimately fair, and nature did the rest. It was unlucky for Wales, but their performance with 14 was admirable, even Thierry Dusautoir admitted the French were "lucky" to go through. But it shouldn't have been a case of unlucky Wales. Alain Rolland got it wrong/right depending on what shirt you wore, but the consensus is that in light of the circumstances, it should NOT have been a red card. The letter of the law is complicated. Yesterday Scott Williams made a crunching tackle on James O'Connor, tipping him off his feet. However, the landing was far more controlled, not due to Williams controlling O'Connor, but because the players are virtually identical in size and weight, meaning nature was no factor, and therefore letting O'Connor off lightly. This is where the rules need clarifying, and common sense needs to apply.

3) We will miss Shane, but what a way to go. We might have lost yesterday, but his last try in the final minute couldn't have been more sublime, and a fitting end to his international fairytale. And it summed up everything that made him a fantastic player. He didn't have one of his most dazzling, rip roaring displays, but he was there, in the 81st minute, to plonk the ball over the line with aplomb, and send everyone in Cardiff, on the pitch, and in my case, at home in front of the TV, into raptures. The emotion on his face said it all, and his record of 85 games played and 58 tries scored is one of the best in world rugby. And that's how it should stay. I think Shane could carry on, possibly for another 4 years, but why should he? His career is glittering, and he has nothing to gain from carrying on. The torch has been passed on, and now we have an exciting future in the likes of George North, Alex Cuthbert, Morgan Stoddart, and Leigh Halfpenny.

4) We need our best players to play at all times. We missed Mike Philips, James Hook, Lee Byrne, Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies yesterday. Yes some were unavoidable through injury, but we need our overseas players to be able to be available whenever we need them. We do have a good squad, the likes of Scott and Lloyd Williams, Ian Evans, and Scott Andrews all getting a good run out yesterday, but they are not our starters yet, and while our squad is in transition, we need our experienced guys out there.

5) Don't fix what isn't broke. All our coaches could have left or not be resigned after the World Cup, but why change a happy family? Everyone was happy to stay, and the WRU did the right thing in getting everyone signed back up until at least the next World Cup. This continuation is vital in furthering our squads potential, and is very good business on the part of the WRU, who are showing the RFU how it should be done. I don't think there is a Welshman who knows that Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, two of our most prominent coaches, are from New Zealand and England respectively anymore.

So, there is everything to take away from 2011, not all positive, but we can tell ourselves that this year has stood out meteorically as our finest in decades. And what next for us? Well there is the 6 Nations in February, and though France will be many people's favourites, the Welsh will not be too far away in people's estimations. Truly, it will really give us an indication of where we are at, without the momentum and the glory of the World Cup. Then we will see how we stack up against the best.

Have a fantastic end to the year, and lets roar our Welsh boys on in 2012.


Dewch ar Cymru!

Let Battle Commence!

So here we are, 2 days before the first Semi-Final of the Rugby World Cup 2011, in which Wales will play France for a place in the final. Some interesting facts about Wales-France matches include that Wales have only ever beaten France once in their last seven meetings, that coming in Wales' 2008 Grand Slam winning Six Nations side, and eleven members of the French team that beat Wales in the 2011 Six Nations 28-9 start Saturday's match. So should Wales have cause for concern? The answer is yes, undoubtedly. France are one of the best teams in the world at kicking, whether it be out of hand or from the tee. Shaun Edwards, Wales' defence coach, has even come out and said that the game will be won by the side that plays the kicking game better. Also, though often temperamental, as we have already seen in their 19-14 loss to Tonga in their final pool match, when France play as a cohesive unit, they are one of the best teams in the world, as England found out to their cost last weekend. However, Wales shouldn't run too scared, not with the form their in anyway. Though Wales have had a massive setback in light of the news that Rhys Priestland will not be fit for the Semi-Final, James Hook is a more than capable replacement. His quick thinking and awesome tenacity in trying to gain possession means that before Priestland's rise to stardom, he was many people's first choice Fly Half. Also, Marc Lievremont has named an unchanged XV, the most experienced French side since 2007, which boasts 687 caps. But, Wales' youth, overall fitness and hunger could be pivotal, like it was against Ireland, and France will have to be wary of the scoreboard being in their favour, because the longer the clock ticks, the stronger Wales perform. Key battles lie in the scrum, with both front rows looking strong, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. As aforementioned, the kicking game will be vital, so Hook versus Dimitri Yachvili, who is carrying a slight knock to his thigh, will probably tell the tale of who wins on Saturday. So, it will once again be a battle of youth versus experience, form versus the form-book. Wales-France will be a corker of a match, and not one to miss.

Wales squad vs France: 

Backs - L Halfpenny; G North, SM Williams; J Davies, J Roberts; J Hook, M Phillips. 

Forwards - G Jenkins, H Bennett, A Jones; L Charteris, AW Jones; D Lydiate, S Warburton (capt), T Faletau.

Replacements - L Burns, P James, B Davies, R Jones, L Williams, S Jones, S Williams.

France squad vs Wales:

Backs -M Medard; V Clerc, A Rougerie, M Mermoz, A Palisson; M Parra, D Yachvili.
Forwards - J Poux, W Servat, N Mas, P Pape, L Nallet, T Dusautoir (capt), J Bonnaire, I Harinordoquy.
Replacements - D Szarzewski, F Barcella, J Pierre, L Picamoles, F Trinh-Duc, D Marty, C Heymans.

Start of a new Golden Era?

Many people doubted Wales' ability to beat the Irish this morning. Not once this week did I meet someone who could fully commit to a Welsh victory. Even I had doubts to whether or not this young side could pull of such a remarkable feat. But boy, we were proved wrong. Warren Gatland must be chuckling to himself slightly after watching his young side contain a very real Irish threat, an Ireland hungry to not let their golden generation never reach a World Cup semi-final. The story book was written for Ireland to progress, to let their golden generation reign on top of the Rugby world. However, someone forgot to give Wales the script. From first whistle to last, Wales were immense. Offensively fluid, defensively solid, Wales hardly put a foot wrong. Ireland, try as they might, could not get the stranglehold on the game that they so craved, and even when they drew level just after the restart, they looked like a team ready to call it a day. Several key aspects impressed me today with the Welsh team. Gatland's decision to put Leigh Halfpenny at Fullback was a master stroke. Halfpenny said during the week it was "a dream come true" to play for his country at a World Cup in his more favoured position, and he didn't disappoint. I called from the start of the tournament for him to be played there, but many were sceptical about his size and ability to control the game from deep. However, he awas commanding and confident under the high ball, accurate with boot, and gave Wales a needed boost with his long distance penalty to restore Wales' 7 point lead mid way through the first half. Lee Byrne must be wondering where his future in the Welsh line up lies after not even making the bench for the game, and with his form and confidence in tatters, it is impossible for me to see the Lions Fullback returning to the starting line up any time soon. Jamie Roberts has looked immense this tournament, and today was no different. His superb catch then drive through the Irish defence sent Shane Williams on his way for the opening score. He gave Wales options going forward, and his interplay with Jonathan Davies and, most significantly, Rhys Priestland meant Wales looked creative in the back, and will give them confidence to attack more ardently in the Semi Finals. Wales' discipline also impressed me, which is key with the likes of France or England waiting for us in the Semi's, who thrive on kicked points. Most impressive though, was just the level of maturity shown by the whole Wales team. Considering the average age of the team is just 25, they played with the confidence of a team who had been through thick and thin together for years. They defended as though their lives depended on it, and they did not disappoint. The pride of a nation rests with you Wales, and maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of another golden generation of Welsh rugby talent. The English or the French lie in wait, but on this form, Wales will not be scared of either. The Dragon still roars, oh yes it does.

Final Score: Wales 22 (Tries: S.Williams, M.Phillips, J.Davies. Convs: Priestland (2). Pens: Halfpenny
                   Ireland 10 (Tries: K.Earls. Convs: O'Gara. Pens: O'Gara

The Beginning!

Hello everyone, this is just a little introduction to this blog, and I shall have my first full post up in no time at all. This blog is for everything in Welsh International Rugby. I shall be trying to give a somewhat indepth guide to the team, future stars, and giving my view on recent matches, starting with this morning's match against Ireland. Please feel free to comment, and spread the love to your family and friends so we can bask in what hopefully will be another golden age of Welsh Rugby!
Many Thanks.