Ackford blasts Wales’ Twickenham chances

Jan 28 2008 by Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail

PAUL ACKFORD has thrown down the gauntlet to Wales ahead of this weekend’s big Six Nations opener with England by writing off more than half of Warren Gatland’s pack as no better than “middling mediocrity”.

Ackford, star of England’s juggernaut Grand Slam side of the 1990s, tipped Wales to finish among the Championship also-rans.

He even said he cannot treat Gatland’s team as a credible international force until certain players “start looking the part”.

In particular, Ackford rounded on Hair Bears Adam and Duncan Jones, reigniting the age-old issue about their weight, concerns which were first voiced by New Zealand legend Zinzan Brooke.

Ackford’s comments will enrage many in Wales, particularly as the Jones duo looked fully fit and excelled in helping the Ospreys thump Guinness Premiership pace-setters Gloucester in the Heineken Cup.

The comments of the former British Lion could serve to fire up Gatland’s men as they seek Wales’ first win at Twickenham since 1988.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Ackford said he had plenty of time for the probable Welsh half-back pair of Mike Phillips and James Hook. But he wasn’t so complimentary about the pack, stating, “Less easy to sort out are the Welsh forwards.

“Alun Wyn Jones is developing nicely and the back row will be competitive if Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams play to their potential. But the rest offer middling mediocrity.

“And I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to take Wales properly as a credible international force until the two Joneses, who are competing for places in the starting front row, Adam and Duncan, lose some weight and start looking the part.”

Ackford tipped Wales to finish fourth in the table, with only Italy and Scotland below them.

Saturday’s opponents England, on the other hand, he believes will emerge triumphant.

“They are nowhere near the finished article – I wouldn’t back them against any of the southern hemisphere sides – yet England could do well in this year’s tournament,” wrote Ackford.

“Their main asset is that making the final of the World Cup has done wonders for their collective confidence. Another plus is that the other Six Nations sides are behind them developmentally.”

Ackford’s former Lions colleague Ieuan Evans, however, believes Wales are ready to make a significant impact upon the championship.

Welsh legend Ieuan pinpoints Gatland’s coup of prising Shaun Edwards away from England to become his No 2 as one of the prime reasons for his optimism.

“I am still chuckling, for getting Edwards even on a part-time basis is a huge coup and the RFU could be left with faces as red as the Welsh jerseys,” said Evans.

“You will get no complaints from any Welshman worth his rugby salt about welcoming this Englishman and certainly not from this Welshman. I cannot wait to see what influence Edwards brings to bear.

“If Warren Gatland and Edwards bring the Wasps template with them, we are in for a treat with bold, brash, risk-reward rugby ... but never forgetting, and Edwards will not let Wales forget, the importance of defence.

“Edwards told the players, ‘If you miss a tackle, I miss a tackle.’ That should be incentive enough not to miss a tackle and shows the Welsh are putting a huge emphasis on defence.”