Rugby these days can be very much absorbed with defence and, while spectators look on in awe at the big collisions, it does rather stifle the entertainment value. So it was when Wales took on England in Parc Y Scarlets in what has become “a Son of the Six Nations” tournament. England duly won 13-24 in a match that never really got the pulse racing.
True, an early Welsh breakaway try by Williams from a charged
down kick gave the Welsh some hope but once England had overhauled them there
was only going to be one winner. The Welsh defence had become more Edwardsesque
in its ferocity and England never managed to achieve the score-line that we had
feared so there always a faint semblance of hope that a miracle might happen. But,
rather like the England v Ireland match, England successfully managed to keep Wales
at arm’s length.
Was this a good performance from Wales? Well it was certainly
a step up from the previous matches in the tournament that is for sure. The
scrum remains an Achille’s heel, although Wales did seem to be harshly judged
by referee Poite. Far too many penalties were conceded and it both stifled the
Welsh attacking intentions and gave England possession and field position. The
only workable option in the lineout seemed to be front ball which is not ideal
for attacking but at least we did get some possession from this source. The
Welsh attacked in fits and starts but came up against an aggressive and
well-organised English defence and did not look like scoring a try. No one
could fault the Welsh defensive commitment and effort as, for the most
part, they stood firm against the English juggernaut. Losing to England is
never palatable for anyone associated with Wales and it really hurts but some
good may come of it.
Yesterday, I thought that Rees Zammit and Johnny
Williams looked the part and Wales should stick with them. Faletau is improving
with every game and hopefully will be back to his best by the Six Nations.
Alongside him, Botham and Lewis-Hughes are both athletic and strong and did all
they could in the circumstances. As the current injury list shows, you can
never have too many good backrow forwards and these two are now well placed in
the queue for starting places.
Wales do need to settle on a scrum half as chopping
and changing this crucial position is unsettling to say the least. I assume
that Tomos Williams is the longer term first choice when he returns from injury
but I am not at all clear who is next in line. There is no doubt that we have missed Ken
Owens and his longer-term replacement is also far from clear. None of the three
hookers tried in this series has been truly convincing with Dee possibly
shading it for me. It is a shame that Scott Baldwin is playing for Harlequins
as he is showing good form at the moment.
Whilst sacrificing continuity, the Wales management
team have at least had a chance to assess the capabilities of the squad and to
blood some young players over the last few weeks. It has come at the cost of
results but it may stand us in good stead in the future.
What of England? They have so much talent to choose
from and when they move the ball they really do look dangerous. As always, they
have plenty of big powerful forwards and are strong at the set piece. They do employ
a very conservative approach with the box kick employed at nauseum. It is not
pretty to watch but it is mighty difficult to get the better of.
It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing
of Ray Prosser. If ever there was a larger than like character it was Pross. Along
with Terry Cobner he masterminded an almost mindblowing transformation in the fortunes
of Pontypool. I was fortunate enough to be there on the Bank as the beast from
the east was unleashed. It was hardly a caterpillar turning into a butterfly
but it was thrilling all the same. Pontypool’s style was criticised by many but
it was mighty effective as they won championship after championship – didn’t I
just say that about England? Perhaps Pross was ahead of his time.
I was working in Panteg Steelworks in the great days
of Pontypool RFC. On a Monday morning Ray would often poke his head around my office
door and ask me what I thought of Pontypool’s latest match. I would rather
cautiously give my views. Ray would listen and then say “Now this it what
really f*****g happened,” and proceed to dissect the game like a neurosurgeon.
It was always entertaining and incisive. He had, on the face of it, the simple
philosophy of having the fittest team around, a pack with six “man-handlers”
and two “ball-handlers”, a scrum half to run the game, hard running backs and
an expert goal kicker. Crucial to this was having the right players and Ray’s
tough selection and coaching regime led to the development of a stream of international
players.
Ray was the kind of man you would want by your side in
times of trouble. Rest in Peace Pross.
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