High hopes after low-grade affair

"Just Go For It" was the headline on page one of the Western Mail newspaper last Saturday morning, an exhortation to the Welsh rugby team ahead of their Six Nations Championship clash with England.

It wasn't the cavalier style the headline writer might have envisaged but when a nation has lost seven successive matches to the old enemy, they aren't too picky how they collapse over the finishing line. Wales won't care that after a bright start they retreated into their shell only to re-emerge when faced with the prospect of losing.

They won't care one whit about the low-grade rugby that permeated the match. They won't even mind that the pitch was a disgrace, cutting up hopelessly. Welsh coach Mike Ruddock rightly focused on the fact his team delivered when required, acknowledging that the win represented a starting point.

" It was a tough battle, and there were a lot of mistakes. Both sides were a bit edgy, and I didn't think we played particularly well, certainly not as well as we think we can play. In the end, we had to slug it out. I still think this team can improve but this is a great win for Wales."

Victory for the home side was gift wrapped by the right boot of centre Gavin Henson, whose 45-metre penalty three minutes from time proved the decisive score. Welsh captain Gareth Thomas enthused: "The kick was out of Stephen's (Jones) range. I looked at Gavin, and he gave me a reassuring nod. He is a superb player, part of a great team that has come a long way. At the moment, I feel like I can fly.

"In the past, we have been the team on the other side, losing by narrow margins, and this is a relief, even though I am sure there will now be mass hysteria in Wales. We will take the victory and enjoy it, but this is a tournament, not one game."

Thomas conceded he had apologised to his team-mates for being sin binned after reacting to England second row Danny Grewcock catching Dwayne Peel in the face with his studs before adding: "I've been sent to my bedroom by my mother for worse. I shouldn't have reacted. I am captain of the team, and it was immature on my part. I apologise, but rugby is a physical game and sometimes you lose your head."

Ruddock though was quick to apply a brake to the expectations: "A result now, and hopefully, we can relax. The atmosphere was brilliant, absolutely amazing. People want to see Wales doing well, and we are back at the top table of world rugby. Our next challenge is to find some consistency."

England coach Andy Robinson offered a blunt but gracious appraisal of the afternoon. "Wales deserved to win what was a mistake-ridden game. We struggled with our field position and getting the ball through two or three phases. We got ourselves back in the game in the second half and we played better, but it was one of those games that was going to come down to mistakes and penalty kicks. We made one or two silly errors in the final 10 minutes, and Wales made fewer errors than us."

England's outhalf Charlie Hodgson, the man charged with providing direction in the absence of Jonny Wilkinson admitted: "We showed a few nerves what with it being our first game. I don't think you can make too many excuses though. Full credit to Wales as they put us under a lot of pressure and I think they were the better side. We'll just have to pick it up and get ready for France. We can't dwell on this."

It is a sentiment Wales would do well to heed as they face a tricky trip to Rome.