MrGareth’s Missives

At the Weekend, England were again on the way to a Grand Slam and arrived in Cardiff on the last day of the now Six Nations looking to seal the deal.  In a http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21818579">comprehensive 30-3 beating I've watched twice (at times with tears in my eyes!) and will watch many more times I think, Wales bettered their 1979 scorline by 3 points to achieve their biggest margin over England, and retained the title for a second year in a  row for the first time since 1979. A sweet, sweet memory I shan't ever forget.

For me, this journey back began in two bars - in Paris and Cyprus - in 1999, two decades after the decline began.  First was a rare win in Paris followed by beating England at Wembley Stadium to deny them another Grand Slam.  Neil Jenkins and Scott Gibbs were the heros then when a foundation for a rebuild was laid. 

Four years later in Sydney's Olympic Stadium, I was in the ground to see Gareth Thomas and a young Shane Williams seriously put the wind up the All Blacks in a group game of the World Cup.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/3230081.stm">The final score - 53-37 - doesn't tell the story of a game that looked for a while like one of the biggest upsets in Rugby history.  

The seeds of the 2005 Grand Slam were in that match in Sydney, I believe, and as confidence returned, talent flourished and investment grew the first of three legendary Grand Slams - in 2005, 2008 and 2012 - saw a new era begin.  After 25 years in the shaddows of the "Glory Days" of Welsh Rugby in the 70s and haunted by seemingly mythical figures like Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and Barry John; a new chapter of history can now be written.

You could argue the heros of this era, like Ryan Jones, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones and Jamie Roberts, have achieved far more than their own 1970s heros.  A Grand Slam against 5 nations not 4 is a far greater feat.  A Semi-final appearance in a World Cup of course wasn't possible in the 1970s, and the World Stage was far less competitive then also.

Reports are that Wales will now grab the Lion's share of the places in this Winter's British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia.  I'll again by in Sydney's Olympic Stadium to see the pinacle of this story in Sydney as Welsh Players combine to contribute to a winning margin to avenge the defeat of 2001.  Perhaps I dare dream of something equalling *THAT* great Barbarians Try of 1973 and complete this Welsh resurgence.