Basic instincts will secure another Slam

Mar 13 2008 by Gwyn Jones, Western Mail

IT’S difficult to believe that only France stand between Wales and a second Grand Slam in four seasons.

The side which left the World Cup humiliated and in turmoil have become rejuvenated and are 80 minutes away from being the best team in the northern hemisphere.

Warren Gatland’s impact has been remarkable if only for what it has concentrated on. The mainstay of this success has been attributed to hard work, respecting the opposition and competitive training sessions.

I would venture that another important aspect has been resetting the boundaries between players and management and the absence of any favourites.

But what most people would agree upon is that Wales do not have mind-blowing futuristic rugby tactics that mesmerise other teams.

Wales have not unearthed a new way of playing, they have simply returned to basic principles that one would hope to see in all decent sporting teams and expect in any professional outfit.

Perhaps the new ethos that has engulfed this reborn squad has overshadowed some of its technical achievements.

Wales lost three critical line-outs in the red zone against the Springboks in the last match of the pre-Gatland era, a weakness which has improved if not been completely solved.

The restart has been an open sore in our game for a long time and was exposed by England at Twickenham, but since then there seems to have been an adjustment which makes the phase look almost secure.

The most obvious improvement has been in the defence. Wales conceded too many tries against everyone. Even teams like Japan could score length-of-the-field tries at the Millennium Stadium, but now Wales are as miserly as anyone in the game, and it is this aspect of the Welsh game that will be most tested on Saturday.

In contrast to Wales’ previous opponents in this year’s championship, France will come to play. They will attack with greater freedom and invention than any of the sides that Gatland’s men have faced thus far.

Wales emerged from a physical battering against both Ireland and England in the first half to play expansive rugby later in the game. This French side is looking to attack from everywhere and will not threaten the fringes as is the convention these days, they will take risks and trust their ability.

Shaun Edwards has instilled a discipline and structure into the defence that has withstood most things, but he has also imparted the more intangible quality of tenacity into the players exemplified by try-line scramble defence – Mike Phillips’ saving tackle against Ireland, Huw Bennett’s arm under the ball at Twickenham, two vital challenges that changed the course of the game.

France’s open style will suit Wales and the selection of James Hook at fly-half feels right. Initially, I thought that Stephen Jones would start the Grand Slam decider, but Gatland has a knack of making the game sound simple.

It will be open, there will be more running and Hook suits that type of game. No sentiment, no histrionics, just cold reasoning. It’s hard to disagree.

The other player who will benefit from that sort of game is Phillips. It is not surprising that his best periods this season have come in the second half of games as defences start to loosen.

Two years ago he tore France apart at the Millennium Stadium and this less structured game would favour his power and speed.

Needless to say that Shane Williams will thrive in similar circumstances, but it doesn’t seem to matter what type of game it is for him at present.

The same is true for Martyn Williams, who must be thinking that he will never retire from international rugby.

Ryan Jones must think being captain is an easy job. He has certainly made it look easy, he has led with a quiet determination and exuded an assured calm in most situations.

I would rate his performance against Ireland as his best in a Welsh shirt as he recaptured the power he displayed for the Lions three years ago.

All in all, I am as confident as I dare be that Wales will win the Grand Slam. The unpredictable French have been far from their best as the team has been chopped and changed.

They are capable of brilliance at any time, but it will require a complete performance to derail this Welsh side at home and I don’t think that France have that in them at the moment.

The Welsh team will be led out by two very special mascots. Manon and Gwenan are the daughters of Ray Gravell and they will be greeted with heartfelt applause from the capacity crowd.

How Grav would have loved to be on the touchline hugging the players as they step off the pitch. He would even have made Shaun Edwards smile.