- Back to Home »
- blogs , features , six nations , wales »
- How are Wales doing so far in the Six Nations?
16 February 2012
By Matt Price
Wales have won two games, and the word on every optimistic Welshman's lips is: Grandslam.
Two games in and Wales are looking good. A 23-21 win in Dublin and a 27-13 win against Scotland. Dublin, Aviva Stadium, a game soaked in controversy after Bradley Davies sent the Irish replacement second row Donnacha Ryan off his feet and onto his shoulders, which could have been his neck or head and could have been a more serious injury.
Luckily for Ireland and Ryan, he landed how he did. Luckily for Wales, Bradley Davies was shown just a yellow. I think anyone, even the most biased Welshman in the valley and myself would say it was a worthy red.
So Wales escaped Dublin with a win. With luck, and size on their side.
The same giant and youthful back-line that visited Dublin a week earlier welcomed the misfiring Scotland team to Cardiff. However the pack lacked their captain (Sam Warburton) and Bradley Davies who was predictably suspended. Aaron Shingler and Dan Lydiate who were not present in Ireland helped the Welsh to a win which wasn't certain until two Scottish players were sent to the bin, 15 minutes of pressure and two less Scottish defenders helped the back-line over the whitewash three times.
Next we travel over the border to to face the old enemy. England.
Wales are favourites. A tag which normally doesn't get handed to the Welsh. Many Celtic critics believe Wales will win comfortably. If England splutter a similar performance to the Scotland game then I can expect two points for Gatland and his guns, helping them further with their campaign. However I am not too comfortable when it comes to England. It's us Welsh. England will not give up the game up without an Anglo-Welsh encounter to remember!
With better conditions expected than Rome last week, we should expect an open game. Which hopefully will play into Wales' hands. I hope. I expect the English team to be a level up, excluding the idea that Toby Flood, Manu Tuilangi and Courtney Lawes are back. And lets not forget that up until 2008, Wales hadn't won at Twickenham for 26 years. But maybe this young English team lacks attacking threat with their only two tries coming from lousy fly-halves ending with charge down tries being the outcome. Good Luck Wales. Good luck to George North's opposite wing.
What do you call an Englishman with the Triple Crown in his Hands?...The Engraver!
Follow Matt on Twitter @_mattprice_