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Welsh win a sign of Six appeal
17/03/2008 15:57 - (SA)
London - Northern hemisphere rugby union fans can sound awfully smug when talking about how the Six Nations is reliable only in its unreliability and endless capacity to produce surprise results.
But Wales' Grand Slam this season rather proved their point.
Having won just once during the 2007 edition and then exited the Rugby World Cup before the quarter-finals after a naive display in defeat against Fiji, Wales' prospects looked grim when they were 19-6 down against England in their tournament opener on February 2.
Then came 12 wondrous minutes as Wales fought back to secure a 26-19 victory and a first Twickenham triumph in 20 years.
It was a storybook start for the new Wales coaching team of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards. Wins over Scotland and Italy followed before a first Dublin victory in eight years took Wales to the brink of glory.
And a thrilling 29-12 victory over France, played out in the magnificent arena that is the Millennium Stadium and in what was, appropriately, the last match of the tournament, saw Wales roared on by a wall of noise to their 10th Grand Slam and second in four seasons.
Wales may have been coached by a New Zealander assisted by an Englishman but it was two players with the very Welsh surname of Williams, who had starring roles against the French.
Shane Williams, cementing his reputation as one of Test rugby's most dangerous wings became Wales' leading try-scorer with his 41st score while openside flank Martyn Williams, persuaded out of retirement by Gatland, and a symbol of his team's increasingly effective pack, capped a brilliant tournament with the try that sealed victory.
In an era where it is often said "defences dominate", Wales, thanks to Edwards's input, had a dominant defence and conceded just two tries - a tournament record.
led by example at No 8
Left in no doubt by Gatland as to who was in charge, the likes of the previously discarded Gavin Henson responded to the coach's confidence in them with fine displays.
Gatland's authority was emphasised in the way James Hook and Stephen Jones shared the pivotal outside-half role without public rancour, while, up front, new captain Ryan Jones led by example at No 8.
England, after Saturday's 33-10 final day win over Ireland, finished second - their best placing since their 2003 Grand Slam.
And still the same question that had dogged the side on their way to last year's World Cup final - had they succeeded in spite of or because of their coach, Brian Ashton, remained.
A nervy win over Italy was followed by a fearsome forward display as France were beaten in Paris only for England to suffer a huge relapse in defeat away to Scotland.
But even more encouraging than a first win over Ireland in five attempts was the way 20-year-old flyhalf Danny Cipriani marked his full-debut in place of 'national treasure' Jonny Wilkinson, dropped to the bench, by re-invigorating England's attack.
Former champions France, who finished third, saw new coach Marc Lievremont repeatedly accused of treating the competition with disrespect as he gave international debuts to 13 players.
Traditional flare
But the long-term consequences could yet prove beneficial, particularly when allied with France's rediscovered traditional 'flair, something much distrusted by former coach Bernard Laporte.
Ireland finished fourth for the first time since 1999 and, following their first-round World Cup exit, this Six Nations ended with renewed calls for coach Eddie O'Sullivan to be sacked.
Scotland may have been a limited and predictable side in losing four matches yet they still won the one that matters most to their fans by beating England 15-9 in a desperately low-grade encounter.
Italy's new coach, Nick Mallett, secured his first win as Azzurri boss with a last-ditch 23-20 win at home to Scotland on the final day.
But, not for the first time, the wooden spoonists were left thinking of what might have been after going close in several matches.
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Rugby
