Wales were seeking an upset but snatched at their chances and left knowing they were flattered by three-point defeatThey are easier to like these days: brave against all odds and more interested in attack than the defence that has defined them for so long, but the trouble is, being easy to like is usually an alternative to winning. Wales travelled east in search of a surprise to rank alongside their legendary mugging of England in the 2015 World Cup but were comprehensively bullied out of proceedings, doors slammed on them at every turn, a big ugly hand in their face throughout, at a longer arm’s length than heir own.In the end it was a shoulder in the face – Manu...
Josh Navidi’s return will be vital to Wales’s hopes of stopping England at the breakdown, and the hosts will need to keep their cool if Wales try to rile themThe breakdownWales’s tactical approach is easily seen in their team selection. Taulupe Faletau is a world-class player but he is still feeling his way back at Test level after a long injury layoff whereas in Josh Navidi Wales have picked an absolute terrier at the breakdown. Ireland’s problems at Twickenham centred around the fact that they were not able to meet England at the gainline and stop their ball carriers, and they could not slow their opponents’ ball as a result. England were then able to play Manu Tuilagi into the...
The spread of the coronavirus may mean the tournament’s end may be delayed until the autumnThe Six Nations organisers meet in Paris on Monday to discuss contingency plans after fears over the cross-border spread of the coronavirus forced the postponement of next Saturday’s match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin and put in doubt England’s trip to Rome on the final weekend. Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, has an extra week to prepare for his side’s final match against the leaders, France, in Paris, but he is not sure if it will go ahead. “We don’t know,” he said. “All we can do is prepare properly for it.”Ireland’s match against Italy is unlikely to be rescheduled before October. The Aviva...
The former Wales wing’s documentary is broadcast on Thursday and he says the game is changing for the betterShane Williams is one of thousands of former rugby players who can only wonder at the impact their playing days will have in later life. The former Wales and Lions wing does not know how many concussions he suffered during his playing career because there were no head injury assessments then, just a macho culture that demanded you get back on your feet and play on.His determination to find an answer led him to spend two weeks making a documentary. Shane Williams: Rugby, Concussion and Me is broadcast on BBC Wales and BBC iPlayer on Thursday at 8pm. In it he interviews...
France showed no signs of travel sickness to quieten the Cardiff crowd and remain in the hunt for a grand slam triumphIt used to be a cliche to say that France do not travel well in this competition and always save their best to spring when the sun of Paris is on their backs. This season’s Six Nations has already turned the cliche on its head with Fabien Galthié’s side winning so impressively against England and not so impressively against Italy in foul February weather in the French capital. And now this. Related: France stay on grand slam trail as Romain Ntamack shatters Wales Related: Stuart Hogg’s solo effort leads Scotland to hard-fought victory against Italy Continue reading...