After six weeks of blood, mud and pain for Rugby Union’s finest, now comes the weekend of glory as the Six Nations Championship comes to a climax tomorrow.
Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s games there will be much to take away for all squads involved and many lessons learned by those players who failed to take the tournament by storm.
Of course there is still fierce pride to play for in the fixtures of Italy Vs. France (13:15 GMT) and England Vs. Scotland (15:30 GMT). Yet all eyes will rightly turn to the titanic clash between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (17:30).
It has been 61 years since Ireland last won a Grand Slam way back in 1948 and the golden generation of the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, John Hayes and Paul O’Connell are on the threshold of what could be their last ever shot at the title. Without a doubt, national coach Declan Kidney will have his side psyched for a massive effort.
Wales, on the other hand, have so far struggled to reach the standards that won them the 2008 and 2005 Grand Slams. Although rated by many to be as strong if not stronger than the squad of last March, they will need to win by a 13-point margin to take the Six Nations title.
It’s difficult to build up the hype around this finale fixture any more than it has been already; perhaps it is best summed up by the words of Ryan Jones, the Welsh captain:
“It’s Test rugby because emotionally it’s going to be tough. Psychologically and physically it will be extremely hard.”
Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Mark Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues).
Ireland: Rob Kearney (Leinster); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster); Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster); Marcus Horan (Munster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster, capt), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), David Wallace (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
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