W
ales were unfortunate against the All “The England team are on the up and it will be a hell will be the trip to Croke Park to face 2009 Grand
Blacks, uninspiring against Samoa of a challenge, but that’s why they are called Test Slam champions Ireland. It was against this opposi-
and Argentina, and embarrassed by matches – when you test yourself against the best and tion last year that Wales came within a kick of win-
Australia, but it’s not all doom and see how good you are.” ning the Championships themselves, fi nally fi nishing
gloom for Wales in the upcoming 2010 Six Nations. Martin Johnson’s men do not possess the formidable fourth in the table – a false position according to
The Welsh kick start their campaign against England scrum which has been key to their success since the Jones: “We fi nished fourth but we were one kick
at Twickenham on Sat 6 Feb, having dropped to Woodward era. Gethin Jenkins and a fi t Adam Jones away from fi nishing fi rst.
eighth in the world rankings, behind the likes of their can cause the English pack problems, and if Wales “There comes a point where you have to put
hosts and Argentina. There is no doubt they will turn up with a reinvigorated back-line, a marker and everything on the line and risk it really, and we did
have to improve their standard of play as they look to base akin to 2008 could be set. that – unfortunately we came off second best. I don’t
recapture their Grand Slam-winning form of recent Wales will then enjoy back-to-back home matches, fi rst think that was a true refl ection of the way we actu-
years, but there are still positives for the Welsh. against Scotland on Valentine’s Day weekend, and ally performed.
They will welcome back some key Lions who were secondly, in what will surely be an extra-special match, “Of course we were bitterly disappointed, you want
sorely missed in the autumn: the dynamic Lee against France on the night of Fri 26 Feb. to be at the top end of the table, because people only
Byrne, Adam Jones and, hopefully, Mike Phillips. Ex-England coach Andy Robinson has breathed new remember the teams that win it.”
The free-running Byrne should add a cutting edge life into a formidable Scottish side, which culminated The midfi eld battle in this game will be intense and
which was lacking, and will be hoping his Ospreys in their gritty 9-8 victory over Australia. It is the two engulfi ng. The Lions’ centre partnership of Jamie
team-mate Shane Williams will rediscover the form Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll – one of the highlights
which made him IRB International Player of the Year
“Every year we pit
of the South Africa tour – will line up against each
in 2008, and has seen him notch up 50 Test tries.
Wales captain Ryan Jones is certainly positive: “Ex-
pectations are high. We live in an environment down
here in Wales where everyone expects us to win, and
wants us so dearly to do so.
“As a group of players we have been working
extremely hard behind the scenes. The Six Nations is
a competition we love, and we hope to thrive in. Our
goal, I suppose, is to go out and win all our games.”
Omens do bode well for the Welsh. Their last Grand
‘
other. Indeed they could play directly opposite if Gat-
ourselves against
land chooses to play James Hook at inside-centre,
with the return of Byrne ousting him from full-back.
the best, and we’re
Wales will hope their fi nal game at home against the
minnows of the tournament, Italy, will prove to be a
getting closer and
stroll to their third Grand Slam in six attempts. The
Italians, however, have been continually improving
closer I think.”
Scottish franchises – Glasgow Warriors and Edin-
Slam winning campaign two years ago began with a burgh Rugby – who are dominatin
19-26 victory at Twickenham, with tries from Phillips
and Byrne. Going into 2008 Wales were unfavoured,
having lost to Fiji to fail to advance from the groups
of the 2007 World Cup in France. England, mean-
while, managed to reach the fi nal, before narrowly
losing to South Africa.
This time around the two sides are those in greatest
disarray ahead of the Championships. Both had
disappointing Novembers; however, with a home ad-
vantage England will once again be slight favourites. ’
since their introduction into the Six Nations, and
with the prospect of entry into the Magners League
on the horizon, they still pose a threat.
g the domestic game Despite a poor autumn, there does seem to be a
by topping this season’s Magners League. great amount of confi dence surrounding the Wales
The Scots are creating an exciting blend of experience camp in the run up to the Six Nations and the 2011
and youth: on the one hand, record points-scorer World Cup. The likes of Alun Wyn-Jones and Jamie
and the country’s most capped player Chris Paterson Roberts are still very young, but vastly experienced
continues to turn out performances, while the exciting and should be physically and mentally ready to
young wing, Thom Evans, has been scoring for fun. tackle the biggest challenge in 18 months’ time.
The French are one of the form sides in world Jones concluded: “Leading up to the Six Nations
rugby along with New Zealand and Ireland. Their we are targeting and looking forward to playing. We
attacking game is a delight to watch and their 20-13 have three home games, which are key to a success-
win against the Springboks was one of the rugby ful campaign, and hopefully we will do well. They are
Ryan Jones looks forward to the challenge: “They highlights of 2009. the biggest games you can play in. It’s just a great
don’t come any bigger, more physical, or faster than Against France, Wales will need to produce a special challenge; every year we pit ourselves against the
a test against the likes of England at Twickenham. performance to claim victory under the lights. best, and we’re getting closer and closer I think.”
“It’s a great place to go and play. I experienced it Despite a 20-13 win over World and Tri-Nations
for the fi rst time two years ago and it is a pretty champions, South Africa in November, the French Photo shoot by Eden Park, 28 Capitol Shopping
daunting place to go and play – there is an awful lot of are renowned for not showing up for matches, and Centre (1st Floor), Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10
history there. particularly away from home. Wales’s toughest test 2HQ. Info: 029 2039 8864 /
www.eden-park.com
Get to
www.buzzmag.co.uk to read about Ryan Jones’ thoughts on the bulk vs skill debate
BUZZ 09
FEB 2010.indd 9 26/1/10 15:13:15
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