I want to prove my worth - Popham

Jan 28 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

HAVING become something of the forgotten man of Welsh rugby this season, Alix Popham is desperate for a chance to send out a reminder of his abilities during the Six Nations.

The Scarlets No 8 started every one of Wales’ championship matches last year, capping a sound campaign with a storming, try-scoring performance out in Paris.

But he was in and out of the side during the World Cup and restricted to a spot on the bench for the one-off game against South Africa in November.

Since that Millennium meeting with the Springboks, the 32-cap forward has made just two starts for the Scarlets because of injury problems.

Yet new Wales coach Warren Gatland kept faith with the blond powerhouse by including him in his 28-man squad for the Six Nations.

Now Popham would dearly love to get the chance to show he still has plenty to offer in the Test arena by featuring against England in next Saturday’s championship opener at Twickenham.

Commenting on his season to date, he said, “I thought at the start of the Heineken Cup I was playing well and I was involved for the South Africa game.

“But it’s been a bit stop-start.

I was injured over Christmas time, having twinged the medial ligament in my knee and picked up a dead leg.

“I was only out for a couple of weeks, but there are so many games in that short period, that I missed quite a few.

“I came on against Clermont Auvergne last week and it was good to be back. Obviously it wasn’t a great game from a team perspective, but the knee felt great and it was good to get 40 minutes of rugby under my belt.”

As for the vote of confidence he’s received from former Ireland and Wasps coach Gatland, Popham said, “I think he has watched Wales over the last couple of years and I have played quite a bit over that time and I feel I’ve done consistently well.

“We’ve played Wasps a few times in the Heineken Cup and in the EDF as well, so he and Shaun Edwards will have seen me there too.

“I don’t think you pick the squad on the last three weeks, but the last 18 months.”

Popham says he has relished life under the new regime, with the short, sharp nature of training sessions particularly to his liking.

“It’s really intense. The boys are getting stuck into each other and it’s quite physical and demanding,” he said.

“But it’s enjoyable at the same time.

“We have short sessions of a maximum of an hour. They don’t drag on and it’s not monotonous.

“It’s all mixed and interesting. It’s just really fresh and new.

“There’s a great buzz around the camp and all the boys are looking to impress.

“When you cross the white line, it’s heads-on time. Everyone is putting the work in and trying to add something special, knowing these guys don’t take any nonsense.

“They are very straight-talking, but it’s enjoyable with them as well.”

Popham faces a stiff challenge for a back-row spot, with Gareth Delve and Jonathan Thomas also vying to join skipper Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams in the back row. But he has no complaints on that front.

“It has got to be like that,” he said.

“The competition for places is good for the squad.

“If you’re not playing well, then you won’t get selected, it’s as simple as that.

“The coach will be picking a team to be competitive and it’s up to him to decide on that. I just hope to be involved. Like everybody else, I want to be part of that 22.”

The 28-year-old Popham believes there’s every reason for Wales to be optimistic as they look ahead to next Saturday’s trip to Twickenham.

“It’s 20 years since we’ve won there, but that’s got to stop some time. Why not now?” he said.

“Who better to start with than England at Twickenham?

“We know they are a class team having got to the final of the World Cup, so it will be a tough game. But we will give it our best shot.

“I think it’s going to be a very open championship.

“The people on form last year, Ireland, didn’t play their best rugby in the World Cup, so they’ll be looking to produce a good performance.

“Italy have improved over years and are a hard team to beat now, while Scotland did well in the World Cup.

“It’s a new-look France and obviously it’s a new set-up with us as well.

“It’s exciting times and hopefully it will be an exciting tournament, with a lot of tries scored.”

Popham was speaking to the Western Mail as part of his link-up with Maximuscle's Promax – a protein powder which he takes to aid with his training programme.

There’s a great buzz around the camp and all the boys are looking to impress. Everyone is trying to add something special, knowing these guys don’t take any nonsense