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WALES TEAM PROFILE Car, train, bus or plane. Plan your trip to Cardiff free with www.transport-direct.info ONE TO WATCH LEIGH HALFPENNY The 2009 IRB Six Nations will offer the perfect stage for Cardiff Blues’ 20-year-old flyer Leigh Halfpenny to continue his foray on the international scene. Halfpenny is now proving increasingly influential for Cardiff Blues from wing or full-back where he could not have a better mentor than Ben Blair. Quick feet and growing strength are helping to channel his electric speed to add to a prolific kicking game. Blues coach Dai Young likens Halfpenny’s flair to the wizardry of Shane Williams: “Once he gets the ball you know something’s going to happen. He’s pretty much the complete package, but we don’t want to pile too much on him too soon. He has huge potential, but he’s still learning.” THE LOWDOWN utility back, Jamie Roberts, was in the
crowd as a spectator and Leigh Halfpenny
was only blooded in the 2008 Autumn
internationals. As for the IRB’s World
Player of the Year Shane Williams, there
is not much to add except that he is in the
form of his life and arguably the most
exciting rugby player on the planet Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams would warrant selection in every Northern Hemisphere back row and the front five is expected to be the same as last year. Flanker Jonathan Thomas missed the Autumn internationals as he underwent groin surgery but Andy Powell impressed in his place and will be pressing for a starting spot. Alun-Wyn Jones came of age in the last Six Nations at second row, proving both his defensive solidarity and his ability as a dangerous ball carrier. Gethin Jenkins and Huw Bennett were an integral part in the Grand Slam success – Wales did not lose one set play ball against the head all tournament. n STRENGTHS As proved by their second half display against England in the 2008 Championship, Gatland has instilled the ‘never say die’ attitude in Wales that all great sides need. Their passion has never been doubted but now they have the talent with it to dominate. The Welsh back division are, at present, the best in the Northern Hemisphere. The dynamic of Henson and Roberts (or Tom Shanklin) in the midfield offers the perfect combination of speed, strength and flair to create a potent attacking force and an impenetrable defence. The interchangeability of James Hook and Stephen Jones at fly-half provides Gatland with strength in every facet, and in Phillips, Peel and Cooper, Wales have a host of world class scrum-halfs. Shane Williams is the best winger this side of the equator at present and arguably the best winger in the world. He complements a back three that are capable of destroying any side. The Ospreys are going from strength to strength on the three competitive fronts and the nucleus of their team builds the Welsh national side. The benefits of playing together at club and international level are undoubted, especially in the midfield where Hook, Henson and Roberts all ply their trade. WEAKNESSES Gavin Henson has had an unsettled season. The two-match ban the Ospreys
imposed on him followed an ankle injury sustained at the end of the previous
season and an achilles heel injury kept him out of the Autumn internationals.
While Henson’s ability is unquestioned, his fitness and temperament are under
scrutiny as a string of injuries and off-field disciplinary issues have plagued his
career. Wales’ rush defence that was such a revelation for them in last year’s Six
Nations could be undone if they take the same approach again. Led by the
Southern Hemisphere, teams are learning to exploit the tactic and with some
of the world’s most creative backs on display, it could become Wales’ Above left Shane Williams takes the plaudits after another try at the Millennium Stadium 122 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES |