Calon Rugby

After something of a hiatus on the blogging front, Calon Rugby is back. Let’s be honest, how could we not comment after that weekend of rugby? Now that the dust has settled somewhat after Wales’ destruction of England (still sounds sweet, mind) the focus has shifted to the British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia.

Many pundits are choosing their XV’s for the Test matches, but really, there is a hell of a lot of rugby to be played between now and the first Test in Brisbane. So while it is only right for journalists and fans to be heaping praise on Wales’ Six Nations heroes, to select a Test side crammed full of Welshmen is a fraction premature.

A good Lions squad has good balance about it, not just in terms of skill sets but personality and character too. Sir Clive Woodward’s fatal mistake in 2005 was splitting the (huge) squad into midweek and Test setups. Every player in Warren Gatland’s squad should get on that plane with a chance of starting the Test matches. If Gats gets it right, there will be a real competition for places in the team. Players will be busting a gut in training and tour games to earn the right to pull on the famous red jersey in a Test.

But still, the speculation over who will make it on the plane is half the fun, so we’ll be getting stuck in and picking our provisional squad of Wallaby-slayers too. Watch this space.

After plenty of thrills and spills the dust has settled and the Six Nations is packed away for another year. There is now just over a year to go until the British and Irish Lions head for Australia to look for their first series win since 1997 in South Africa. We have a look at what players would make the cut - even though an awful lot can happen between now and then…

Full Backs - Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney both had excellent 6 Nations and would expect to be there based on that form. Stuart Hogg has showed some real promise, while Ben Foden has returned to close to his best. Foden just shades Hogg based on experience and could cover 9 in an emergency (don’t laugh.)

Wings - Tommy Bowe was at his deadliest best during the tournament and has Lions experience. George North terrified defenders and is really establishing himself as a force in world rugby. Alex Cuthbert showed his predatory instincts as well as sheer power while neither England winger set the world on fire, although Charlie Sharples could well make a case going forward. Max Evans is an outside bet but his form has been stuttering.

Centres - A real area of strength at the moment, both Welsh centres Jamie Roberts and Jon Davies has fine tournaments, with the latter really impressing. Manu Tuilagi continues to cause problems in midfield, while Brad Barritt was very dependable but who could forget Scott Williams Twickenham heroics. Is there one final hurrah for Mr O’Driscoll, the romantics (including us) would certainly hope so. Gordan D’Arcy’s international career is surely heading to a close but Keith Earls is always a threat. What of Luke Fitzgerald though? So impressive in 2009 but will have to have a superb season to make the grade now.

Outside halves - Owen Farrell looks set to take the international scene by storm, while Jonny Sexton has made the number 10 shirt his own. His understudy, Ronan O’Gara is an outside bet based on his experience, while his Welsh look-a-like Rhys Priestland offers a very similar game.

Scrum halves - Mike Phillips seems someway back to his best and will be there injury permitting. The other places really are up for grabs though; Ben Youngs had a terrible start to the championship but finished strongly, while Lee Dickson impressed in places. Lloyd Williams and Conor Murray are two raw talents and either could make the plane. Mike Blair and Chris Cussiter both seem to be short of finding top gear but both have Lions touring experience.

Props - Gethin Jenkins and Alex Corbisiero both had fine tournaments and one can expect the latter to develop his game further over the next year, Irish tight-heads beware. On the tight side of the scrum, Adam Jones is still a rock and will be in Australia if he stays fit. Dan Cole also impressed but Ewan Murray still has all the attributes to take on the Aussies.

Hookers - Dylan Hartley had a fine tournament and could be a huge asset down under if his discipline doesn’t hold him back (the latest citing for allegedly biting Stephen Ferris). Matthew Rees has proven himself at this level and will hope to stay fit next year. Rory Best had a fine championship and did a fine job of captaining Ireland in BOD/POC’s absences. Ross Ford, too, looks comfortable as captain even if his side are struggling.

Locks - Huge strength in depth here. Donncha Ryan appears to be POC’s natural successor but the 2009 captain will relish the opportunity to take on the Wallabies. In Wales, Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris returned to fitness to impress, while Ian Evans was an undoubted star for the Grand Slam winners. Richie Gray was immense and looks set to be a true world class performer. Honourable mentions for Mauritz Botha, Jim Hamilton and Geoff Parling too.

Back row - More competition here - Sam Warbuton is probably favourite to skipper the team if he can shake off more injury problems, while his team-mates Lydiate and Faletau will both expect to tour - the former being voted player of the Championship. Tipuric and Ryan Jones provided more than able back-up too. Ferris and Heaslip toured in 2009 and have all the attributes to make the grade again, while Sean O’Brien’s physicallity could be a huge aid. Ben Morgan made his mark on the Six Nations and is likely to improve further in the next year and the same could be said for David Denton. Ross Rennie and John Barclay also played well in places and both are more natural 7’s than Ireland or England have to offer.

Full backs - Kearney (IRL), Foden (ENG), Hogg (SCO)

Wings - Halfpenny (WAL), North (WAL), Cuthbert (WAL), Bowe (IRL)

Centres - Earls (IRL), Roberts (WAL), J. Davies (WAL), O’Driscoll (IRL)

Outside halves - Sexton (IRL), Farrell (ENG), Priestland (WAL)

Scrum halves - Phillips (WAL), Murray (IRL), Youngs (ENG)

Props - Jenkins (WAL), Corbisiero (ENG), A.Jones (WAL), Cole (ENG)

Hookers - Ford (SCO), Best (IRL), Rees (WAL)

Second row - Ryan (IRL), Gray (SCO), Evans (WAL), O’Connell (IRL)

Back Row - Lydiate (WAL), Ferris (IRL), Warburton (WAL, Capt), O’Brien (IRL), Heaslip (IRL), Faletau (WAL), Morgan (ENG), Denton (SCO)

First and foremost, congratulations to all the players, management, medical staff and everyone else involved in Wales’ grand slam effort. It was an excellent championship and Wales thoroughly deserved to lift to the trophy in front of 75,000 adoring fans.

A lot has been made in the papers about Wales needing to kick on now and prove their mettle against the southern hemisphere giants.  There have been some well-balanced arguments (Brian Moore – Telegraph) and some one-eyed nonsense (Stuart Barnes) but one thing that will hold Wales in good stead in the summer is the leadership skills that the players have demonstrated.

Only two years ago, much was said about the regions reliance on experienced foreign players to bail them out of tight spots. The same could not be said now as the side is littered with players happy to lead from the front. Throughout the tournament, 3 captains were used by Warren Gatland – Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones. We all know about Warburton’s leadership skills and Jenkins will have been delighted to break his duck as skipper but Ryan Jones deserves special praise.

I’ve been critical of Ryan in the past and his performances prior to last year’s RWC left had been below par for a little while. However, he has had a wonderful Six Nations, putting in some great hits, offering a good line out option but above everything his attitude and professionalism has meant he has been as important to the squad as any of his highly praised team-mates. His ability to come in and out of the side, play in a number of positions and skipper the side epitomises the positive but competitive atmosphere that Gatland and his coaches have created in the dressing room.

There’s no doubt that Wales have a huge task ahead of them but if they can continue to show the kind of hunger and ambition that Jones has shown not just this year but also at the World Cup last autumn, then they have every chance of achieving great things in the future.   

Not much of a spectacle in Cardiff as Wales completed their fourth win of the Championship. Much more attritional than free-flowing, in part down to whistle-happy referee George Clancy. However, Wales managed to break down the well-organised defence to set up a Grand Slam showdown versus the French.

Here’s how the players rated

15 - Leigh Halfpenny - On the receiving end of a dubious yellow card decision ended his game but this shouldn’t undermine another accomplished performance from the Blues full back. Perfect kicking, composed with ball in hand and denied a try by a fine piece of defending from Sergio Parisse. Exudes class at 15.7/10

14 - Alex Cuthbert - Seems to enjoy playing in the capital, capping his second Millennium Stadium start with a second try on home turf. Looked menacing with ball in hand and looked for work all game long.8/10

13 - Jonathan Davies - Didn’t get the clean line breaks he would have wanted but looks menacing everytime he gets the ball, if there is a half-gap in front of him he’ll exploit it. Forming a formidable partnership with Roberts.7/10

12 - Jamie Roberts - Wanted to impress following a disappointing performance at Twickenham and managed to cross the whitewash for a try along with the usual big carries and solid defence. Still feel like he can move up a gear to that devastating form of Lions tour in 2009 and RWC 2011.7/10

11 - George North - Italy sucessfully managed to shakle the mountainous teenager. Still made some huge carries and will be relishing the opportunity to avenge the RWC misery next week.6/10

10 - Rhys Priestland - Drew his man nicely to set up Roberts for his try but still doesn’t look comfortable at the moment, often getting snagged behind the gainline. Expect Gatland to stick with him for the big game though.5/10

9 - Mike Phillips - Orchestrated his forwards sucessfully and was a handful as always but made a few silly errors that he won’t be pleased with. Still looks in good nick and will be a key player against the French6/10

1 - Gethin Jenkins - Immense around the park as always, looking like an extra back row forward at times. His captaincy looked a little naive though and should have gone for the points rather than touch in first half. Got the job done and will be pleased to have broken his duck as skipper7/10

2 - Matthew Rees - Back in the number 2 jersey for the first time since last year’s championship. Effective around the field and throwing was ok but not his finest game for Wales. Gatland faced with a tough choice with Ken Owens playing well6/10

3 - Adam Jones - The rock in the Welsh scrummage as always, gave his opposite number a tough time and put a real shift in around the park.7/10

4 - Alun Wyn Jones - A little quiet from the usually talismanic lock but made a crucial steal to help set up Roberts’ try. Will be interesting to see if Gatland sticks with him with Charteris fit again6/10

5 - Ian Evans - Probably his quietest game of the tournament, has still added a real nasty edge to the pack and would be very surprised if he didn’t start next week.7/10

6 - Dan Lydiate - Top tackler yet again, constantly cutting off opposition attacks at the source (not that Italy offered much in that respect.) Is nailed on to the number 6 shirt at the moment8/10

7 - Justin Tipuric - Showed real glimpses of his spark in the loose, offers something very different to Warburton, although the home team missed the captain’s presence at the breakdown.7/10

8 - Toby Faletau - Some good carries and good off-loading along with the usual solid defence. Still awaiting the explosive breaks he is capable of, perhaps they’re being saved for the biggest stage…7/10

Replacements - All the bench got on to the field with Rhys Webb winning his first cap and looking lively. Paul James and Ken Owens put in steady shifts, while Ryan Jones continued his lively form. James Hook got a rare run out after recovering from chicken pox, while Twickenham hero Scott Williams had little time and ball to impress. The same couldn’t be said for departing Dragon Luke Charteris who made himself a real nuisance at the lineout and put in some fine tackles, including a crunching hit on Gonzalo Canale. Impressive stuff from the second row who will make sure Gatland and Edwards have to think long and hard about team selection