Nothing salivates the rugby juices quite like the annual clash between England and Wales. Add in the magical ingredients of Grand Slams, Triple Crowns, Six Nations titles and British and Irish Lions selections, and you have a dish worthy of any sporting gastronome.
Expert Witness caught up with Wales' most capped forward, Martyn Williams, to get his views on the forthcoming title decider.
With the bookmakers suggesting the narrowest of margins between the teams, and with England continuing to win, but doing so in a rather ugly fashion, Williams rues Wales' first 40 minutes of the championship:
"The first half against Ireland left me in shell-shock!', exclaimed the former Lions flanker.
"You always expect a tense and tight start to a Test match, but Ireland came out and simply blew us off the park for 40 minutes. You can look to blame, but the simple fact is Ireland played some compelling rugby in that first half.
"Yes, we came back strongly in the second half, which showed great character, but D'Arcy going off with O'Driscoll moving to 12 disrupted their defence. Rarely does a side dominate for 80 minutes in an international, and Ireland allowed us to at least restore some pride, which we've taken into the other games."
What of the style of Welsh rugby, the 'Welsh Way'? Many commentators have said Wales have moved back to a more attritional game in the last few years. Williams is quick to point out that winning Test matches takes a pragmatic approach.
"In honesty this 'Welsh Way' myth stopped around 2005! If you looked at the current team, we're actually playing a far more English-style of rugby; using our scrum and big forwards to dominate, a well-organised and pressuring defence, with a strong focus on the priorities of field position and possession," noted Williams.
"We also look to play for the full 80 minutes without taking our foot off the gas and use intelligent kicking across the backline to play where we want to play. Add in Leigh Halfpenny's goal kicking, especially his distance, and it's a pretty simple formula.
"In short, we play to our strengths, and the clash on Saturday will feature two sides of similar style."
One of the standout qualities of the England side has been its defence. They employ an Andy Farrell-inspired method of combining both blitz and drift defences, whilst Wales' Shaun Edwards-designed blitz is notoriously effective; Williams explains that playing 'without the ball' in rugby is as important as playing with it:
"Both Wales and England have a defensive coach with his roots in Rugby League, so it's natural that our defensive styles are similar. England are superb when not in possession. They pressure the contact area, and both Tom Wood for England and Sam Warburton for Wales are exceptional at disrupting the ruck and slowing down possession;
"England use two quick pillars either side of the defensive ruck to pressure the scrum-half or ball carrier. This is a method very much used at the tackle re-starts in Rugby League. The rest of the defence moves up in a strong line behind, ready to drift, although both teams use their 12 occasionally to blitz out of the line and up to the ball carrier. Wales equally value the importance of playing without the ball, and use the blitz to hit the carrier behind the gain-line."
"In addition, both teams are very quick to pressure the kickers using their tall men, whether it's the likes of Geoff Parling or Alun Wyn-Jones looking to charge the box kick, or Chris Ashton or George North using their pace to win re-starts. This allows a team to control where the game is played and to keep the scoreboard moving when the opposition transgress.
"It's simple, pragmatic, structured rugby, but it works!', laughed Williams.
With the roof closed, and the atmosphere unique to the Millennium Stadium, Martyn believes that the undercurrent of Lions selection will add extra spice to some personal contests;
"There's a few players playing for their Lions opportunity that's for sure," he agreed.
"At openside flanker, you have the contrasting styles of Chris Robshaw, who I have been hugely impressed with, and Sam Warburton, who is showing a welcome return to form.
"Sam is the arch-disruptor, superb over the ball at ruck time. Robshaw's work rate and rugby intelligence is outstanding, and either player would serve the Lions well, as player or skipper. It's not inconceivable they could both be the Lions Test flankers, as both are able to play at 6 quite easily. Robshaw has a little bit of Richard Hill about him and that's the highest compliment I could pay; he rolls his sleeves up, gets on with it and makes few mistakes.
"In the front row, there's a huge match up. Adam Jones and Dan Cole, whilst not in direct opposition, will both be vying for the Test shirt, though I believe Wales' secret weapon in the front row is hooker Richard Hibbard, a big unit who is a tough scrummager and combines well with his props to pressure the opposition.
"On a positive note for Wales, I have noticed England have struggled with the new scrum engagement laws, even backing off at times to take the hit rather then engage early.
"Wales have adapted better in my opinion. My only concern is that the notoriously fragile Millennium Stadium turf gives a suitable platform for two world-class front rows to enjoy their duel. I am aware the roof will be closed, so that should at least prevent any rain making the surface deteriorate," observed the ex-Lions openside.
"Adam Jones is capable of creating real disruption given the chance, and is outstanding in the tight, if less effective than Cole in the loose. You have to keep your props honest so I always used to tell him 'You push the bloody piano and I'll play the thing...!"
"Elsewhere, Mikey Phillips will want to use his bulk to dominate the England half backs, and the centre duel will be scintillating."
Despite knowing how close the match is likely to be, Williams believes Wales are justifiably favourites:
"We've slowly improved during the Championship and we did well to bounce back after the Irish defeat to beat France in Paris.
"For the English guys travelling to Cardiff, very few will have experienced the Test match atmosphere there. Removing my national hat for one moment, I would say to them forget about the noise, as you cannot do much about it. Just focus on the basics and do your job. Try and feed off the atmosphere and enjoy it. Besides, England always bring a significant amount of travelling support, so I expect to hear the English voices too.
"I also believe Wales have 'been there before.' By that I mean this Welsh side has a lot more Test experience than the young England team. Good Test players have what I call 'reference points', gained from experience, by losing at times and by winning at others. This allows the players to react possibly a little quicker to changing situations.
"England, whilst falling into the priceless habit of 'winning ugly' this season, do not have those reference points and I think that might work in Wales' favour. They are in new territory, playing for a Grand Slam and Championship. Most of this Welsh side have been in that position before and that might be the deciding factor," observed the man affectionately known throughout rugby as 'Nugget'.
"I also believe the extra turn around day Wales have might prove telling. With playing on the Sunday and also with their travelling commitments, England really have only three training days this week, whereas Wales have five. That may prove crucial," explained Williams.
So, there we have it. The final showdown is set to be epic and both teams will be keen not to disappoint. Putting the Planet Rugby gun to the Williams' forehead, Martyn believes it'll be close, but that Wales' knowledge and structure will edge the fixture:
"If you push me, I reckon it'll be nip and tuck until half time, with Wales pulling away in the second half. Wales by 10 points! " he said.
Expert Witness would like to thank Martyn for taking time out from his busy schedule to share his views. The last of this series of columns will be back next week, with a special British and Irish Lions focus, when get the views of one of the all-time greats of rugby, a five-time Lions tourist, the peerless Irish centre Mike Gibson.
Martyn Williams, MBE played 100 times for Wales and toured three times with the British and Irish Lions. He holds the Welsh record for most appearances in the Five and Six Nations championships
Martyn Williams spoke to James While
Comments
spike19 says...
jamesliveinhope
There's no doubt that weather conditions this year have literally put a damper on the tournament. But its the lack on genuine attacking instinct that has been disappointing with emphasis on sticking to the structure of kicking for field position and trucking it up to win the penalty kick so that Farrell, Halfpenny and Laidlaw can kick teams out of the game.
If you look at the stats between 2000 and 2005 the average try rate in the 6 nations was around 74. By 2007 it dropped to around 62 and from 2008 to 2011 the average is 52. And from 2012 its seems to be dropping again with just 46 scored last year and with 2013 set to be a record low scoring year unless they score 14 or more which seems unlikely.
The Heineken Cup has its fair share of bad weather and it never fails to entertain with a very high try rate. And I think you'll find if you visit NZ in June/July/August when the ABs are playing the weather is extreme in terms of wind and rain.
There is no denying that Its been a very poor tournament this year due to form, injuries, refereeing (especially at scrum/ruck time) and also I think the defensive orientated approach by teams especially in the last 3 rounds, last week there were 4 tries scored between 6 top ranked rugby sides, that is pathetic! The Game needs to be won/lost/played in the right way otherwise it will lose its appeal.
Posted 11:06 15th March 2013
davbat2026 says...
Very good article. I think what is clear is that this will be a close battle with small margins winning.
You can make a case for both and MW has been fair in his assessment.
I for one think Wales will win - by 6 - haha. I hope not!
Posted 04:36 15th March 2013
melkdave says...
A good article,,but i do fail to see what advantage Wales have from wining a slam last year..After all most of the english players ,have experiance of playingi n the AP final,and the later stages of the HC .Which the welsh players havent had.So it balances out imo.I also dont really think Wales are playing well,they are improving,as their confidance has grown,but playing well not atm really Not that England have set the world on fire either But England have had the worst of the conditions,and every team with the possible exception of Ireland ,playing their best rugby of the championship against them.Its going to be a very hard close fought game ,I believe England will be victorious at the end though,by 3-9 points.
Posted 16:50 14th March 2013
heathy says...
I can't say I disagree with most of the comments on here. I also respect Martyn Williams as he has been a true great for Wales. However, I would also disagree with his point about England winning ugly. Yes, they haven't played the most scintillating of rugby scoring tries at will but they have certainly played the better rugby in a more controlled and precise manner. They have also won in all conditions and no matter what has been thrown at them. This England side are improving all the time. As things stand it is the Welsh that have played ugly and their games, at times, have been horrible. Even when winning, their opposition has been dreadful and so they have managed to scrape through without being very good. Ireland played some great rugby and blew Wales away. They then took their foot off the gas. France were unbelievably hopeless and that was one of the worse French displays at home that we have seen in a long while. They still could have won it though. Italy had their good game out of their system and capitulated in a shadow of their previous game and the Scots (together with the ref) helped create the most dire game of rugby of the whole championship. Again, Wales didn't even win even that one well as a better Scottish side would have won comfortably. So, on form Wales will lose convincingly but we all know that the form book goes out of the window. If England can maintain their consistency, convert opportunities into points (they haven't executed well all tournament) and maintain their composure then England will win. This is a big test for England as to how well they are actually progressing. These are the games they have to win where there is something at stake. No disrespect to the New Zealand game but that was a while ago and nothing was riding on it bar pride. There IS something riding on this one and that is the Grand Slam. Can we deliver? We will see.
Posted 14:34 14th March 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
@spike19 whilst I agree about the differences with the NH game vs the SH game, we should be mindful of the reasons.
SH fixtures are played (generally, I am aware of New Zealand) on firm tracks in relatively benign weather conditions. If you were to look at the English Premiership, there is no doubt that the rugby played in September, October, April and May, is dramatically different to that played from November through to March and this is going to reflect in a Test tournament played through the same period.
Where a major problem exists, is that the multi-purpose stadia being used for Test matches at the moment clearly do not have playing surfaces up to the rigours of elite rugby.
You quote Sarries who have just invested in an artificial pitch, Twickenham is using a hybrid surface - with many clubs watching the Allianz with keen interest, expect the situation (in England anyway) to improve soon.
Posted 13:26 14th March 2013
spike19 says...
Great to get the opinion of a legend like Martyn Williams. As a spectacle and an advert for Rugby Union this 6 Nations has been very poor. The opening weekend was very promising with 16 tries scored but since then there have only been 14 tries scored in 3 rounds. That is pretty pathetic and unless there are 14 or more tries scored this weekend the 2013 6 nations will have the lowest try scoring stats since before the game went pro in 1995!
England seem to be like a hybrid of Saracens water tight defence and Farrell banging over everything.
The game in the NH has become very defensive with teams focussing on field advantage to force the penalty from a scrum or turnover. Too much emphasis on kicking, where is the counter attacking? If the Lions want to win is AUS they need to score tries.
Posted 12:52 14th March 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
I'm really not sure about this season, normally, by about round three, you know who's in form and who isn't but the rugby has been so poor (not always the players' fault as the weather has played its part) that we haven't really seen the best of any team.
England until Italy had pretty well controlled two and a half games and the Italy match was played with two new half backs who were really targetted by the Italian loose forwards. (By "new" I mean relatively unfamiliar with the team or each other in test match conditions).
The Welsh have been poor all autumn and looked like the pattern would continue against Ireland but have managed to salvage the situation and converted it to wins since, convincing though?????
I would argue that England v Italy aside, its been Wales that have been winning ugly this term and England that have been exerting the control.
I would also disagree with the "been there done that" remark. This England team, despite relative inexperience, has been through nearly two 6N campaigns, a SA tour and an autumn series and met defeat and victory as equals throughout.
I still think that Wales will win because of the nature of this fixture and home advantage but it will be close.
Posted 12:51 14th March 2013
ummagumma says...
Nugget is one of those players like BOD that is loved and respected by fans of all nations. Great natural footballer, always comes across as a top bloke. Good balanced views too.
Posted 12:14 14th March 2013