'Wales will definitely win'

10:44am Thursday 13th March 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

Continuing our series of features, we get the lowdown on Wales' RBS Six Nations campaign from YOU the fan.

With Wales' second Grand Slam in the last four seasons tantalisingly close after their excellent Triple Crown victory over Ireland in Dublin last weekend, the Argus asked five supporters from Cwmbran RFC if Ryan Jones' men can do it against France on Saturday.

Our panel consists of 18-year-old labourer Chris Wannell, retired Brian Williams, 70, Kelvin Perrett, a 60-year-old warehouseman and driver, Steve Prosser, 40, a fitness instructor, all from Cwmbran, and Bryn Parker, 52, an administrative clerk from Pontypool.

Q: WERE YOU IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY WALES WON IN IRELAND ON SATURDAY OR DO YOU THINK THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO?

CW: I thought Wales played very well and thoroughly deserved their win but it could have been 100% better had we taken all our chances.

The forwards are playing well. The backs are as well but they aren't gelling as well as they could.

BW: I was very impressed and it was a cracking game. After all the years I've watched Wales and suffered, it's wonderful to see it coming together.

There's still room for improvement and we've got such talent. The two yellow cards were silly against Ireland. I know frustration creeps in sometimes but discipline needs to be a top priority against France.

KP: I was very impressed with the way the pack played and Wales' never-say-die attitude last week. Ryan Jones is a cracking player and has got to be in line for the Lions captaincy next year. There is room for improvement but Shaun Edwards has got them going the right way. There has been a massive improvement with the fresh coaching faces and ideas paying off.

SP: I was impressed but there is always room for improvement. The two discipline issues could have cost us the game.

But up front we were excellent. Ireland are known for their strong packs and they have two world class second rows but we dominated them throughout.

BP: They played extremely well but I'm sure there is a big improvement to come.

I think Gatland's got massive plans for Wales and wants us to be one of the leading teams on the world stage, in the top four with South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Q: DO YOU THINK WARREN GATLAND IS RIGHT TO START WITH JAMES HOOK AHEAD OF STEPHEN JONES?

CW: I would have gone for Stephen Jones' experience before picking Hook. We can always bring on a superstar like Hook later in the game.

BW: I think it's the right decision because Hook is a bit of an unknown quantity to the French.

Stephen Jones played out there for a few years (with Clermont Auvergne) so I think France may be able to read his game a lot better.

KP: They are both equally talented but I would go with Hook - I'm sure he can do it. James is a more attacking player than Stephen Jones who did nothing wrong against Ireland.

It horses for courses really and I think we've got to attack the French.

Hook is more like the traditional running Welsh outside-half while Jones is similar to how Neil Jenkins played.

SP: I don't really think that Stephen Jones is playing at the top of his game at the moment and his kicking has been a bit wayward. Hook deserves his chance.

BP: You can't fault any of his selections so far or the timing of his substitutions. I think he's gone for Hook because he can play a more expansive game against the French.

Q: SHOULD HUW BENNETT COME BACK INTO THE STARTING XV AFTER MATTHEW REES' FINE PERFORMANCE AT CROKE PARK?

CW: No. Matthew Rees is a good player and he had a great game against Ireland. Rees would be my first choice. The line-out functioned really well in Croke Park.

BW: This one's very debatable. Matthew Rees played his heart out so I'm surprised he's on the bench.

Gatland has been spot on with his selections so far and he is in a position to assess things better than we can.

He brought in Rhys Thomas for the Italy game and he didn't let Wales down.

KP: The line-out had been an Achilles' heel for Wales for a long time but things are spot on now. I think Bennett is a better line-out thrower than Rees.

SP: I think Matthew Rees has been very unlucky although he didn't have the best of tournaments before that. But last week he took his chance really well.

Gatland must have his reasons for putting him on the bench and his selection so far has worked very well in picking the right man for the job.

BP: It's hard to say. Going on Saturday, Matthew Rees is the better line-out thrower. But Bennett was the man initially picked to play against Ireland.

Q: DO YOU THINK BY DELAYING HIS SELECTION, EVEN FRENCH COACH MARK LIEVREMONT DOESN'T KNOW WHO HIS BEST TEAM IS?

CW: I'm not sure. Maybe he just wanted to wait until the last minute to give them the opportunity of training together for another day to decide what his best team was.

BW: I don't know if it's a ploy but I'm sure they will want to play an open game like they did against Italy on Sunday. We've got to make sure we keep them penned in.

KP: I'm not sure why Aurelien Rougerie was left out after his man of the match performance against Italy. You never know what to expect from the French as New Zealand found to their cost at the 1999 and 2007 World Cups!

SP: I don't think Lievremont knows who his best 15 is and he's chopped and changed far more than we have.

But he looks like he's going to pick his best team for this one bringing back the best players like England did with Mike Catt last season. I think France have devalued the tournament a bit this year.

BP: I think the French coach has put just about everybody who has walked past the clubhouse onto the field! They've got a great back three in Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc and Julien Malzieu.

Q: YOU MUST BE PROUD OF FORMER CWMBRAN YOUTH BOY IAN GOUGH WHO IS HAVING A GREAT SEASON?

CW: I think Goughie has been one of the best players on the pitch for Wales in this Six Nations. He was also outstanding in the World Cup. I think he's a definite for the Lions tour next year.

BW: He has played very well. I think leaving the Dragons last season was the best move he made. His game has improved - whether that was because he was disillusioned with what was going on at the Dragons. But his move to the Ospreys has paid dividends.

KP: I'd always rated Goughie very highly. Although we've got good players in Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans, they don't have Goughie's work rate. He really puts his body on the line. Even when he was dropped by other Welsh coaches, it's a testament to his ability that he kept forcing himself back into the team.

SP: I'm chuffed to bits for him winning his 50th cap on Saturday. I've known Ian since he was a kid and I am so pleased he has gone on to do so well.

He's an abrasive player who really puts himself about. I wish him luck and hope he keeps it for a few more years.

BP: He hasn't taken a backward step and he's been as safe as houses in the line-out. When he got injured against Ireland, his expression said it all, There's no way I'm coming off'. We are very proud of him at the club.

Q: AND FINALLY THE ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION, CAN WALES WIN THE GRAND SLAM?

CW: Definitely with the way we are playing at the moment but I think it will be a close game. I don't think there will be many tries and it'll be settled by the odd penalty or drop goal.

BW: I honestly think we can win. I don't think we'll give them the space to move. I just can't see us losing at home - Wales to win 25-17.

KP: I think we will win and adopt a forward-oriented game but we can match them with our flair. I would say we've got the best backs in the Six Nations.

SP: I think we'll win by 15 to 20 points. We'll do the job on them up front and with a world class player in Shane Williams and Lee Byrne in outstanding form, we've got the backs to finish the job.

Wales have been the best team, with the form players and outstanding coaches.

BP: Yes. We hadn't beaten England in Twickenham for 20 years and Ireland in Dublin for eight years until this season. Wales haven't beaten France in the championship in Cardiff since 1996 but records are there to be broken. Wales are playing with bags of confidence and, although it will be difficult, we'll win 26-18.