Planet Rugby's State of the Nation - Wales

State of the Nation - Wales


As we do after every major tournament, we look at the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, we study champions Wales.

Wales have sealed three previous championships in the Six Nations, but none in the manner of Saturday's demolition of England.

It's hard to believe that a few weeks earlier the Welsh public were baying for Rob Howley's blood, on the back end of an eight-game losing streak and that had crushed all confidence. Instead against England, confidence was coursing through their veins.

The turnaround however started much earlier. Defeating France in Paris produced the necessary force to flick the switch on Welsh fortunes - with the brightest of finishes in George North's try closing out an ugly, brutal game. The elation of North's father running onto the pitch to join the celebrations represented the relief of a nation.

Funny thing, momentum. Road wins followed against Italy and Scotland, and gritty ones at that, meaning that by the time Wales rode back into Cardiff with the Six Nations title looked upon as a 'mathematical possibility', hopes were measured if not quietly optimistic.

The rest is history.

Wales as a collective were brilliant against England, but in the previous matches a series of exceptional performances deserved recognition.

Andrew Coombs was an unknown coming into the Six Nations, yet amidst an injury crisis at lock proved to be a physical beast on both sides of the ball.

Ryan Jones proved once more that he can excel at Test level, the inspiration in Paris and Rome when Wales needed a leader. It was only right that he lifted the trophy with Gethin Jenkins.

Dan Biggar silenced his critics once and for all in guiding the Wales to a Six Nations title. Still only 23, his Test career is only just beginning.

Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric have been heralded for their double-barrelled attack on the breakdown and rightly so, but Toby Faletau went quietly about his business throughout the championship, topping the stat charts.

The fact that George North and Alex Cuthbert are now the frontrunners to start for the Lions tells you everything about their talent, whilst Leigh Halfpenny was probably issued his plane ticket back in November. It is a side seeping with talent.

Hammering England therefore is not enough. Last year following the Grand Slam, expectations of what Wales could do on tour in Australia and at home in November were at boiling point. They lost every single remaining match that year.

Much like England following their victory over the All Blacks, success means little if it does not become the foundation for bigger and better things.

No nation will be better represented on the Lions tour than Wales and rightly so, but a repeat of last year's struggles in the November Internationals again in 2013 will be unacceptable.

Wales will enjoy the moment as they rightly should, but ambition to build on their turnaround and then the execution of that must happen, not to mention addressing the continuing financial struggles of the regions. Savour the success, but come back wanting more.

by Ben Coles

Very concise but about right. Time for Wales to look to improving depth on the Japan tour and on to the Autumn games.

In the mean time the WRU need to focus very hard on making the Welsh regions and the Premiership much more competitive.

Indeed. This is the first time we haven't been consistently shoite after a Grand Slam. If we don't kick on from here then we are in trouble.

I just hope the Lions Tour doesn't decimate our players.

Who would people like to see go on the Summer tour ?

I'd say Patchell, Adam Hughes, Eli Walker, Morgan, Samson Lee, Robinson and a loads of the U20s boys - Jordan Williams etc

Retaining the Six Nations shows that we are building strength and depth in Welsh rugby, we are doing things right. I appropriate this on the excellent work that is done at our four academies as well as the initiatives enabling better standards at School and College rugby levels in Wales

So my point is that the next focus really needs to be the Premiership and Regional levels. If we can be fourth in the world at International level, we should be much more competitive in regional competition considering our regional player base is so predominantly Welsh.

Agree Maes, we again won despite our Regions performances not because of them especially in Europe.

That area and below needs to be developed

maestegmafia wrote:Retaining the Six Nations shows that we are building strength and depth in Welsh rugby, we are doing things right. I appropriate this on the excellent work that is done at our four academies as well as the initiatives enabling better standards at School and College rugby levels in Wales

So my point is that the next focus really needs to be the Premiership and Regional levels. If we can be fourth in the world at International level, we should be much more competitive in regional competition considering our regional player base is so predominantly Welsh.

Your 5th not 4th. And you wont move up until you start playing against the SH with the same passion you generally seem to reserve for playing England.

Can't we talk about rugby?