1
'Slam is a chance in a lifetime for some of these boys - and that is not lost on anybody'
By Online Editors
Robin McBryde believes that Wales will face "arguably the best side in world rugby" when they go for Guinness Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory on Saturday.
Ireland stand between Wales and them achieving a third Six Nations clean sweep of head coach Warren Gatland's reign. It's Gatland's final Six Nations game before he steps down from his Wales post after the World Cup later this year.
Ireland can still win the championship, while England - who host Scotland at Twickenham this weekend - are also in the title mix. But unbeaten tournament leaders Wales occupy pole position, knowing that a win at the Principality Stadium will be enough to land European rugby's biggest double prize.
"We know it will be a big test for us," Wales assistant coach McBryde said. "We have put ourselves in a great position, and it's a chance in a lifetime for some of these boys, and that is not lost on anybody. We are facing arguably the best side in world rugby to do that on the weekend. It would be no mean feat in the Six Nations, and games can be decided on small margins and decisions.
"We have done exceptionally well to put us in this position, but it won't mean anything if we don't finish the job on the weekend. New Zealand have not played for a while, but I would say they [Ireland] are the team to beat at the moment.
(Continue reading below...)
"The (Wales and Ireland) players are familiar with each other, having been on numerous British and Irish Lions tours together. With that familiarity there is a respect for each other, and it brings an extra edge. It is a lot more personal when you want to beat the guy you know, and that will be the case on Saturday.
"There will be a lot of personal battles and scores to settle, and hopefully we will have some rugby being played as well. Both teams are used to playing on the big stage when something is at stake, and once you have tasted success you know there is no secret formula to it."
Gatland is due to name his team on Thursday, with McBryde reporting that full-back Liam Williams is "moving in the right direction" after going off injured against Scotland at Murrayfield last Saturday. "He just took a little bit of a stinger on his shoulder," McBryde added.
"He is improving. His return to training is gradual, and there has been no contact, and we will gradually increase that to see how he is, but everything is moving in the right direction at the moment."
McBryde, meanwhile, readily acknowledges the threat posed by Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton, and he also underlined a need for improved discipline, with Wales considerably weaker in that key area against Scotland than they had been in defeating England two weeks earlier.
"It is important we put a number of their decision-makers under pressure," McBryde said. "The spine of their team is a very strong one and you can't single out one individual. Having said that, Johnny is very influential on the game, as any world-class 10 is. We have to go about our work legally and ask questions of them.
"We have got to be disciplined. That's one thing we have got to improve from the weekend against Scotland because we gave them numerous opportunities within 10 metres of our line. As Ireland showed against France, if you give them the same opportunities, they will take them."
Press Association
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
Go to comments