Unity the key - but Ryan Jones was MoM

Mar 9 2008 by Scott Quinnell, Wales On Sunday

THERE were two moments in this match which summed up what Warren Gatland has done for Wales since he took charge.

They were not represented by a great try or rugby innovation, but they say everything about his back-to-basics approach to the game.

The first was the way this Wales side defended and played for each other when they were a man down.

Mike Phillips and Martyn Williams were both sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, but Wales didn’t concede a single point.

That showed the togetherness, spirit and bond being formed between these players. They want to die for the cause, don’t make excuses and put their bodies on the line every time. I have nothing but admiration for their attitude and approach.

They don’t want to let themselves down or each other down and I know Mike and Martyn will be feeling that they owe the boys one after witnessing such a tremendous effort.

The other moment was at the final whistle, seeing Wales do a ‘Munster’ on Ireland to get the victory.

It wasn’t pretty, but who cares?

Test match rugby is all about winning ugly and Wales have shown a game awareness and done it twice in the Six Nations.

They did it to England and they did it to the Irish yesterday.

But the players who deserve all the plaudits for this victory are the Welsh pack. They were magnificent and refused to be bullied.

I have played for Welsh sides in Dublin and been sent home with my tail between my legs on a number of occasions.

And, as a fellow number eight, I thought Ryan Jones was magnificent and I don’t know how Shane Williams got the man of the match award ahead of him.

The Wales coach will be pretty happy with another victory, especially in Ireland, but he will know Wales do have to watch the discipline.

The intriguing question for me is: Who does he pick for the next game?

Warren has kept us all guessing and it has worked a treat.

You sense that players are afraid to have one bad training session in case they get dropped, let alone one bad game.

Wales have real momentum now and every team needs that.

It’s what wins you tournaments like the Six Nations.

A side can almost become an irresistible force, just like Wales were in 2005.

Now, like every Welshman, I will sit down to watch France versus Italy, this afternoon, hoping they punch each other to a pulp.

The Grand Slam is on and Wales are in the driving seat.

France have a day less to prepare for the final game of the tournament.

The French, though, are now back to their unpredictable best and nobody knows who will turn up in Cardiff next Saturday.

Traditionally, France like to play us because we see the game in the same way as them, but I don’t think they will get much change out of the ‘new Wales’.

I’m picking Wales for another Grand Slam.