six nations rugby

Wales 29 France 12 - F/T

Wales provided a fitting end to their outstanding Six Nations campaign as they completed the Grand Slam at the Millennium Stadium with a 29-12 victory over France.

Having dominated the early stages, Warren Gatland's side overcame a sticky period midway through the match, and the sin-binning of Gavin Henson, to emerge worthy winners. The match turned on the hour by virtue of an opportunist try from Shane Williams who, in the process, became his country's leading try scorer.

With the French within seven points heading into the final ten minutes there were still plenty of nerves amongst the majority of those in the capacity crowd at Cardiff, but a Stephen Jones penalty seven minutes from time all but ended French hopes.

A memorable evening was then capped in style by a late try from the outstanding Martyn Williams who ensured Gatland would celebrate the Grand Slam in his first Six Nations championship at the helm of Welsh rugby.

While yes for the followers of rugby union it was a great match, the commentry of Mr brian Moore was disgracefull in respect to the fact that he complained about the players having to wait some 05 secconds while the RAF flew thier fast jets overhead.

WOW 5 SECCONDS LATE............."""""""""""""""

Normally I would not complain but after the comments this week about RAF personnel being verbally abused by some plonkers in Peterborough this week, his comments were totally out of order....This next comment is to Mr Brian Moore ........anyone can kick a football or a rugby ball, how many people can fly the fast jets !!!!???? ....

Also Mr Inverdales' comment that because Wales had only just won England could win the triple crown..... No points difference was mentioned nor how many points England would have to win by.....

OOOOOhhhh calm down now !!!

Sorry for the Rant ......

ANYWAY ........!!!!!""""""??????///////

Wales sealed the Triple Crown and kept their Grand Slam dreams alive with a hard-fought win over Ireland in Dublin.

Ronan O'Gara's kicks gave Ireland a 6-3 half-time lead, while Shane Horgan was stopped inches short of the line.

Despite having two players sin-binned, Wales dominated the second half with Shane Williams's record-equalling 40th Test try putting his side ahead.

Ireland closed to within a point, but James Hook's late penalty sealed a famous win for Warren Gatland's side.

Ireland 12 (6)

Pens:O'Gara 4

Wales 16 (3)

Tries:S Williams

Cons:S Jones

Pens: S Jones 2, Hook

Wales sealed the Triple Crown and kept their Grand Slam dreams alive with a hard-fought win over Ireland in Dublin.

Ronan O'Gara's kicks gave Ireland a 6-3 half-time lead, while Shane Horgan was stopped inches short of the line.

Despite having two players sin-binned, Wales dominated the second half with Shane Williams's record-equalling 40th Test try putting his side ahead.

Ireland closed to within a point, but James Hook's late penalty sealed a famous win for Warren Gatland's side.

Interview: Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan Interview: Wales coach Wareren Gatland Interview: Wales fly-half Stephen Jones

The result will see the level of expectation in Wales soar even higher with next Saturday's match against France turning into a Grand Slam decider.

606: DEBATE 'Hymns and Arias' at Croke Park, sublime

WalesWillWin08

Much of that expectation will fall on the slim shoulders of winger Williams, with the Ospreys man equalling Gareth Thomas's Welsh record with his 40th Test try and turning in a man-of-the-match performance.

Ireland started solidly, with full-back Rob Kearney returning a long punt from Lee Byrne with a confident run and forcing Wales to concede a penalty for not rolling away.

The home side kicked for touch to give Ireland an attacking line-out on the Welsh 22 and when Wales stole the ball illegally, O'Gara stepped up to put Ireland ahead.

Ireland conceded a penalty almost in front of their posts as John Hayes buckled in the scrum but Wales fly-half Stephen Jones, not helped by a swirling wind, somehow missed.

Spurred by some darting runs from scrum-half by Eoin Reddan, Ireland worked their way back upfield and Wales again gave up the penalty for O'Gara to score.

The Munster fly-half was also on form with his tactical kicks and the two Wales wings, Mark Jones and Shane Williams, were turned at regular intervals.

Ireland wing Shane Horgan was stopped just short of the try line

Capitalising on the pressure, Horgan surged to within inches of the line before a magnificent Mike Phillips tackle stopped him just short.

Wales rallied with a series of drives that earned fly-half Jones a second pot at the posts, and this time he made no mistake.

Jones missed a more difficult kick as the game ticked over the half-hour mark.

But Wales were starting to motor with a break involving the superb Gavin Henson, Shane Williams and Tom Shanklin putting Lee Byrne into space, clear only for Kearney to snuff out the danger.

Ireland's defence was working overtime but the line held firm for a good five minutes but the pressure eventually told and a penalty was conceded.

But a loss of discipline from scrum-half Mike Phillips proved costly as he dropped a knee into the ribs of the prone Marcus Horan, as the prop refused to release the ball.

Phillips earned a trip to the sin-bin and cost his team the chance to level the scores before half-time.

Wales kept their composure though, showing impressive patience immediately after the restart to make light of their man disadvantage and Stephen Jones kicked a penalty to level the scores.

The hwylwas flowing for Wales and Shane Williams took advantage to score a trademark try as he spotted half a gap, handed-off a poor attempted tackle from Andrew Trimble and darted over.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll tackles rival centre Gavin Henson

Stephen Jones added a superb touchline conversion from the right and suddenly Wales were in control with a 13-6 lead.

The returning Phillips, desperate to make amends, burst through the midfield to set up another dangerous attack, but Wales wasted an overlap.

Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip burst through a gap, but the support suddenly vanished - not surprisingly with Martyn Williams taking out Eoin Reddan with a trip.

The offence was spotted and the flanker became the second Wales player to visit the sin-bin.

O'Gara punished the indiscretion with two penalties in quick succession to put Ireland within a point with 12 minutes to go.

But hopes of a Ireland victory were effectively ended by a brainless penalty conceded by Ireland substitute Bernard Jackman as the hooker clattered Wales skipper Ryan Jones - who was nowhere near the ball - in the back right under the nose of the referee.

The penalty chance to put Wales four points clear and replacement James Hook held his nerve to cap a fine Wales fightback.

Head coach Warren Gatland has kept the faith with Lee Byrne,Gavin Henson and Ryan Jones as Wales go into a Triple Crown decider with Ireland in the RBS Six Nations at Croke Park on Saturday.

The trio have been ever present in Gatland's starting XV with great performances in the victories over England,Scotland and Italy.

It's another huge test for Wales against an Irish team riding high after thumping Scotland and Croke Park will be no place for the faint-hearted at 1.15pm on Saturday 8th March.

Ospreys Shane Williams, Mike Phillips, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn-Jones and Jonathan Thomas are also set to start,while regional club-mates Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, James Hook and Sonny Parker are among the replacements.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has recalled hooker Rory Best and lock Paul O'Connell who will play alongside his 2005 partner Donncha O'Callaghan.

It promises to be an edge-of-your-seat encounter and if Wales win, it sets up a massive grand slam game at the Millennium Stadium against France on March 15th.

wales coach Warren gatland has hailed Bridgend boy Lee Byrne following his try-scoring exploits in the 47-8 win by Wales over Italy.

Lee Byrne picked up the man-of-the-match award for his two-try display and gatland labelled him the player of the tournament so far.

The next match is for the Triple Crown against Ireland at Croke Park, Dublin on March the 8th.

Brace for Shane Williams as Gatland's side remain unbeaten

Wales have followed up their shock RBS Six Nations win against England by taking a 30-15 victory over Scotland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

It was ultimately a comfortable victory for the Welsh and yet coach Warren Gatland will have plenty upon which to ponder - particularly how his side largely controlled possession and yet found it difficult to convert their chances.

This was especially the case in the first half, when Shane Williams scored the first of two tries, and Scotland would have been happy with a half-time deficit of 10-6 after they had made a number of set-piece errors.

The match continued in its fast-paced yet scrappy way and, despite a try from James Hook early in the second half, Scotland might also not have complained about their two-point deficit after an hour's play - Chris Paterson kicking five penalties.

However, they had cause to after Williams scored his second try on 67 minutes, the match's video referee giving the winger the benefit of the doubt even though his foot appeared to be in touch when going over.

Scotland lost their opening line-out when a loose throw from hooker Ross Ford saw Martyn Williams booting the ball forward, before Hugo Southwell finally did what Nick de Luca failed to do moments earlier and recover the situation.

Onslaught

A Wales scrum deep in opposition territory was the result but Scotland's defence held out against the early onslaught and the visitors eventually earned a reprieve with a penalty.

Scotland were making errors and Wales looked to take advantage after five minutes when Jamie Roberts broke on the overlap; however, his pass inside was intercepted.

A similar error moments later from Hook then saw Scotland making their first serious incursion, with Tom Shanklin eventually recovering. Nevertheless, a Paterson penalty put the first points on the board.

But Wales' breakthrough came after 12 minutes, with Shane Williams jinking in to touch down after a right-to-left move which saw Hook's deft pass send through Lee Byrne - the full-back then releasing the winger to score.

Hook converted and Scotland's woes soon mounted when Nathan Hines was sin-binned for taking a swing at Ian Evans.

They did manage to hold out despite the one-man deficit, however, with Wales' next break of note ending after 26 minutes when Shanklin's final pass to Shane Williams was adjudged forward.

Two minutes later, after Scotland had been penalised for not releasing, Hook placed Wales 10-3 ahead.

With captain Jason White then suffering a knock to the head and replaced by Allister Hogg, a second Paterson penalty brought the deficit back to four points.

Scotland were gaining more possession in the closing minutes of the opening period, but mistakes were still being made - de Luca and Euan Murray both knocking on needlessly.

But the visitors made the stronger start to the second half, with a break orchestrated by Hogg and John Barclay resulting in Paterson's third penalty.

And, with only one point now in it, Scotland's resurgence had by now neutered the hitherto crackling atmosphere.

Poor defence

But their defence was non-existent after 46 minutes when, and in spite of a poor pass from Mike Phillips to Hook, the latter was able to collect the ball and sell the dummy before touching down.

Hook kicked the extras and, with the game opening up, two penalties from Paterson - the second being from a good 45 metres - brought Scotland back to within two points.

With Stephen Jones now on for Hook, the replacement fly-half rounded off a period of Wales possession with a simple penalty after 64 minutes.

Far more crucial was Williams' second score two minutes later, the winger wriggling to the outside and evading three challenges before touching down.

The video referee decided that Williams' foot had not grazed the touchline - Scotland perhaps having cause for grievance - Jones then converting to place Wales 12 points clear, before the fly-half found the target again with a long-range penalty.

Replacement Sonny Parker was then bundled out of play before he could add a fourth try with five minutes remaining.

With victory out of reach, Scotland nevertheless persevered for a try of their own, but, after spending the closing moments of normal time camped on the Wales line, the ball was instead turned over.

James Hook heads into Wales Six Nations opener with England confident that his side have all the qualities required to record a famous win.

Despite the daunting task of standing toe-to-toe with Jonny Wilkinson for the first time tomorrow, Hook is confident new coach Warren Gatland can re-establish Wales as an international force.

Gatland has named a side featuring 13 of the Ospreys side that beat Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester in an attempt to end the 20-year winless streak at the home of English rugby.

"It will be a big help, especially as an outside half, to have all those familiar Ospreys around," said Hook.

"We showed against Gloucester we can beat any English side.

"We coped with their forward dominance early on and they didn't have an answer to us. I hope we can continue that momentum.

"The Gloucester game showed we can win big games and hopefully we can take that into the game against England.

"It is different at international level - but it is the same players in the team.

Respond

"I think we can go a long way in this championship. It all starts at Twickenham.

"If we can get a win there it sets up the whole championship and who knows what will happen."

Despite a poor individual performance at the 2007 World Cup, Hook is hopeful he can respond with a similar showing to the one he produced in last year's Six Nations.

"That England game was up there with my best for Wales and that is what we are looking to do - take those experiences into every game," said Hook.

"Last year playing in the Six Nations I was relatively unknown. There is a lot more pressure on me in games now.

"The last year has been a big learning curve for me and hopefully I can take that experience into the Six Nations."

Hook has only played at Twickenham for the Ospreys, and after being preferred to Stephen Jones, the 22-year-old is set to mark his first international appearance there by pitting his wits against the might of Wilkinson.

"I have never played against Jonny. I am looking forward to it," said Hook.

Game-breakers

"I watched a lot of the 2003 World Cup and he was an outside half I looked up to. He is a class player.

"I am looking forward to playing against Wilkinson to test myself and see where I am."

Wilkinson responded to Hook's comments with similar praise for the young number 10 and the strong Wales back division which includes Gavin Henson and Shane Williams - who combined to defeat England in Cardiff in 2005.

"I have met James a few times and he is a great guy. I think he is a fantastic player," said Wilkinson.

"James at outside half, Gavin in the centre and Shane Williams on the wing, those guys are game-breakers.

"They bring an unpredictable side which makes them such a great team to watch but they can also do the predictable particularly well like kicking.

"Wales have got a great back-line there and because they are like a club side they will combine very positively.

"There is size, power and ball movement in it. All those qualities come together to make a very professional, pacey and powerful unit."

Wales gave new coach Warren Gatland a perfect start with a stunning 26-19 victory over England in the RBS Six Nations - their first win at Twickenham in 20 years.

The New Zealander saw his side produce a sensational comeback after England appeared to be cantering to an opening weekend win in the competition.

Jonny Wilkinson scored 14 points, including the conversion of Toby Flood's first-half try, to put the World Cup finalists 19-6 to the good early in the second half.

However, Wales climbed off the canvas to score tries through Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips to complete a stunning fightback when they had seemed to be on their knees.

The final whistle saw wild celebrations from the visitors while England were left to wonder quite how they had managed to lose a game from a position of such strength.

Bad start

Things started in the worst possible way for Wales when Martyn Williams gave away a penalty from the opening kick-off, allowing Wilkinson to open the scores with mere seconds on the clock.

James Hook did level the scores shortly after but England were the side in the ascendcy, even if the pace and physicality of the opening exchanges saw early casualties, number sevens Lewis Moody and Jonathan Thomas both forced out of the action.

David Strettle was also taken off, allowing the Twickenham faithful a first glimpse of Lesley Vainikolo in a white shirt.

It did not take long for The Volcano to explode onto the international scene, England's switch from searing pace to sheer strength out wide proving crucial in their opening score.

Wilkinson spotted the sizeable presence of the winger one-on-one with opposite number Mark Jones out wide and floated out a kick that the rugby league convert soared highest to claim before offloading for Flood to canter over.

England's fly-half was on target with the conversion to follow up a second penalty and a drop goal that meant the home side were 16-3 up and in danger of running riot.

To their credit Wales managed to stand firm under pressure until half time, even managing to cut the gap to 10 with a Hook penalty.

They were given a helping hand by television official Simon McDowell, who ruled Paul Sackey was held up over the line as he tried to get the ball down in the right corner.

New defence coach Shaun Edwards, who could well have been wearing a kit with a red rose on it rather than the three feathers of Wales, would have been particularly pleased to see his forwards hold out on their own line just before the break.

That passage of stoic defence proved crucial as the second half saw a dramatic shift in the balance of power.

Imploded

An early Wilkinson penalty after the re-start made it 19-6, but from then on England became so desperate for a second try that they imploded from a position of complete superiority.

Their desire to kick away possession allowed Wales to climb off the canvas and launch a recovery so unbelievable a Hollywood director would have even thrown out the script.

Even the normally calm Wilkinson seemed to be feeling the pressure, throwing an errant pass over the head of sub Danny Cipriani that led to the first of two tries for Wales in an amazing three-minute spell.

Hook - who had kicked two penalties to bring his side within seven - mesmerised three defenders before sending the ball onto full-back Byrne to finish off.

The tough conversion was successful to level the scores and the comeback was complete when Phillips forged his way over on the left.

The scrum-half scored the go-ahead try after he had charged down Ian Balshaw's attempted clearing kick, Hook adding the extras to seal a memorable result for Wales.