Wales v Canada , Fri 14 Nov 08, 19:30
Wales v New Zealand, Sat 22 Nov 08, 17:15
Wales v Australia, Sat 29 Nov 08, 14:30
All matches at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff and tickets available here.
Planning Your Vacation
6 years ago
Monday, November 10, 2008
Buy Wales rugby tickets for winter season
Wales Tickets for the games against Canada, Australia and The All Blacks.
Wales v New Zealand, Sat 22 Nov 08, 17:15
Wales v Australia, Sat 29 Nov 08, 14:30
All matches at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff and tickets available here.
Wales v New Zealand, Sat 22 Nov 08, 17:15
Wales v Australia, Sat 29 Nov 08, 14:30
All matches at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff and tickets available here.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wales V England U21 play off
Wales U21 soccer team will play England in a play off for a place at the UEFA U21 finals in Sweden in June 2009.
Wales Under-21 side will play England Under-21s in a two-legged play-off for a place in next year's Uefa Championship in Sweden. Wales will be at home in the first leg, likely to be on October 10, with the return on October 14, although both dates are still provisional.
Lets hope that Wales beat England again.
Wales Under-21 side will play England Under-21s in a two-legged play-off for a place in next year's Uefa Championship in Sweden. Wales will be at home in the first leg, likely to be on October 10, with the return on October 14, although both dates are still provisional.
Lets hope that Wales beat England again.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wales U-21 European Finals hope
In the fotball (soccer!) world it seems like Wales U-21 team has a fair chance of qualifying for the finals of the European Championship held next year in Sweden.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Wales Grand Slam
Wales won all their matches in the 2008 Rugby union six nations.
Here's what happened :
England 19-26 Wales
Wales 30-15 Scotland
Wales 47-8 Italy
Ireland 12-16 Wales
Wales 29-12 France
Here's what happened :
England 19-26 Wales
Wales 30-15 Scotland
Wales 47-8 Italy
Ireland 12-16 Wales
Wales 29-12 France
Grand Slam
Transforming Wales from World Cup flops to Grand Slam heroes was a "dream", coach Warren Gatland admitted after seeing his side beat France 29-12 in the Six Nations on Saturday.
The result ensured Wales a second Grand Slam in four years, a remarkable turnaround for a team that crashed out of last season's World Cup in the group stages, a result that cost then-coach Gareth Jenkins his job.
Gatland took the helm, and has overseen five straight wins in the championship with a squad hardly changed from the debacle in France.
The New Zealander, who formerly coached Waikato, Wasps and Ireland, said the first goal had been beating England in the first game of the tournament.
"If we could beat England away at Twickenham, and we were lucky enough to do that, our next two games were at home then you have a chance," he said.
"This competition's so short it's all about creating some momentum, and if you win a few games it's great, if you lose a few you're looking at the wooden spoon.
"It was a dream. You have got to believe," he said, admitting that assistant coach Shaun Edwards had given him "a hard time before the competition started when I said we could win the Six Nations".
Edwards, he said, had called him an "eternal optimist".
"The disappointment for Wales in the World Cup came down to a couple of shots at goal. That cost them a quarter-final place and that's how close games in international rugby can be.
"It can turn and change careers."
Gatland said that after his arrival in Wales, he found a group of players with "ability and talent".
"We put some structures in place," he said, adding that emphasis had been laid on "work ethic and self-belief".
"The guys have been magnificent. You get what you deserve - they deserved to win the Six Nations.
"The last few months have been tough for them, but they've responded.
"Winning the Grand Slam in the first season is pretty special."
Edwards, the former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league legend, hailed the tenacious Welsh defence that only conceded two tries.
"Offence sells tickets, defence wins championships," said Edwards, who was assistant to Gatland at Wasps.
"The attitude to defence over the whole of the Six Nations has superseded anything I could even have dreamt of.
"To concede only two tries, one from an interception, one from a kick, so not one running try in five games, is massive credit for the players."
"It's not very romantic but there's no doubt that teams with the best defences often win championships. "What I've always been pleased about is the number of tries we've scored from our defence," he added.
Captain Ryan Jones also hailed his players.
"You push yourself to the limit and get what you deserve," he said.
"Then you have moments like that that you can't put into words, experiences you can't buy and will treasure forever."
Wales - Tries: Shane Williams, Martyn Williams. Conversions: Stephen Jones (2). Penalties: James Hook (3), Jones (2).
France - Penalties: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (3), Dimitri Yachvili.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
The result ensured Wales a second Grand Slam in four years, a remarkable turnaround for a team that crashed out of last season's World Cup in the group stages, a result that cost then-coach Gareth Jenkins his job.
Gatland took the helm, and has overseen five straight wins in the championship with a squad hardly changed from the debacle in France.
The New Zealander, who formerly coached Waikato, Wasps and Ireland, said the first goal had been beating England in the first game of the tournament.
"If we could beat England away at Twickenham, and we were lucky enough to do that, our next two games were at home then you have a chance," he said.
"This competition's so short it's all about creating some momentum, and if you win a few games it's great, if you lose a few you're looking at the wooden spoon.
"It was a dream. You have got to believe," he said, admitting that assistant coach Shaun Edwards had given him "a hard time before the competition started when I said we could win the Six Nations".
Edwards, he said, had called him an "eternal optimist".
"The disappointment for Wales in the World Cup came down to a couple of shots at goal. That cost them a quarter-final place and that's how close games in international rugby can be.
"It can turn and change careers."
Gatland said that after his arrival in Wales, he found a group of players with "ability and talent".
"We put some structures in place," he said, adding that emphasis had been laid on "work ethic and self-belief".
"The guys have been magnificent. You get what you deserve - they deserved to win the Six Nations.
"The last few months have been tough for them, but they've responded.
"Winning the Grand Slam in the first season is pretty special."
Edwards, the former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league legend, hailed the tenacious Welsh defence that only conceded two tries.
"Offence sells tickets, defence wins championships," said Edwards, who was assistant to Gatland at Wasps.
"The attitude to defence over the whole of the Six Nations has superseded anything I could even have dreamt of.
"To concede only two tries, one from an interception, one from a kick, so not one running try in five games, is massive credit for the players."
"It's not very romantic but there's no doubt that teams with the best defences often win championships. "What I've always been pleased about is the number of tries we've scored from our defence," he added.
Captain Ryan Jones also hailed his players.
"You push yourself to the limit and get what you deserve," he said.
"Then you have moments like that that you can't put into words, experiences you can't buy and will treasure forever."
Wales - Tries: Shane Williams, Martyn Williams. Conversions: Stephen Jones (2). Penalties: James Hook (3), Jones (2).
France - Penalties: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (3), Dimitri Yachvili.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Wales 29 - 12 France
CARDIFF (AFP) — Wales produced a gutsy display of tenacious defence to beat France 29-12 here on Saturday to claim their second Six Nations Grand Slam in four years.
The Welsh completed their remarkable transformation from a side which crashed out of last year's World Cup in the group stages to conceding only two tries and finishing unbeaten after five games of European rugby's showcase tournament.
Wales tellingly punished France with five penalties for ruck infringements, three from James Hook and two from Stephen Jones.
In addition, winger Shane Williams became Wales' record try scorer with a touchdown under the posts and outstanding flanker Martin Williams scored with five minutes remaining. Both were converted by Jones.
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde hit back with three penalties and Dimitri Yachvili one for a game French side that failed to break down the home side's robust blitz defence fashioned by assistant coach Shaun Edwards.
"Sensational" was how the former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league legend summed up Wales' achievement.
Wales coach Warren Gatland added: "These players have given more than we as coaches have asked of them. They've improved from game to game.
"We've won a Grand Slam, but we don't want to stop here. South Africa are the number one team in the world, we go there in the summer..."
Winning captain Ryan Jones described the result as "something special."
He added: "This is absolutely amazing. There were always moments of doubt, but we defended superbly and that's what won us the championship."
Shane Williams reflected: "This just goes to show how hard we've worked since the World Cup. My try was one in a million."
In complete contrast to the era of former coach Gareth Jenkins, who was sacked in the wake of the side's World Cup nightmare, the Welsh showed themselves capable of withstanding wave after wave of French attack.
Although the defensive model sometimes exposed the front five out wide, support from impressive centre pairing of Gavin Henson and Tom Shanklin, as well as full-back Lee Byrne, was quickly on hand to help out.
France retained possession for a concerted three-minute spell early in the game played under a closed roof, but it was Wales which went closer to opening the scoring, winger Mark Jones slipping on the slick pitch as he tried to sidestep the last French defender.
Hook kicked an eighth-minute penalty after a stray French hand in a ruck but missed a second effort five minutes later after some more sustained Welsh pressure.
French centre Yannick Jauzion then produced a try-saving tackle on Byrne after good hands from Martin Williams and Henson saw the ball move wide.
Two further French ruck infringements were penalised by Hook, with Elissalde knocking over one for the French after Wales failed to release the ball after a well-placed up-and-under from Anthony Floch.
Elissalde reduced the arrears to three points with a second penalty in injury time of the first-half, shortly after Henson had been yellow carded for a high tackle on flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo.
Hook missed a second penalty three minutes into the second-half after Vincent Clerc took the wrong decision to run out of his own 22 metre area, and with Henson still off the pitch, Elissalde was successful with a third penalty to draw France level.
Then up stepped Shane Williams to become the highest try scorer for Wales with 41, chasing onto a spilled French ball in midfield and outsprinting Floch to touch down under the posts.
Stephen Jones hit the extras and then nailed a penalty with 15 minutes of the game to go after yet more French ill-discipline at a ruck.
"The turning point of the game was the counter-attack of Shane Williams," France coach Marc Lievremont said.
"The match changed after that. The result was not known at that point but that sealed it although 29-12 was too harsh as a result."
The Welsh front five then shoved the France pack off their own ball at a five-metre scrum, a raft of replacements were made, and man-of-the-match Martin Williams ensured Wales an outstanding end to the Six Nations season with a well-taken try, also converted by Jones.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Triple Crown Stats
Wales have taken the triple crown 19 times :
1893, 1900, 1902, 1905, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1950, 1952, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1988, 2005, 2008
The Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the national teams of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales as part of the Six Nations Championship. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three then they win the Triple Crown.
Wales Clinch Triple Crown
Wales won the Triple Crown and continued their march towards the Grand Slam with a narrow victory over Ireland at Croke Park. They also strengthened their grip on the RBS 6 Nations title and they now face a showdown with France next Saturday at the Millennium Stadium.
Wales had not won in Dublin for eight years and spent 20 minutes down to 14 men after Mike Phillips and then Martyn Williams were sin-binned.
Ronan O'Gara scored all of Ireland's points - but sparkling winger Shane Williams scored the decisive try to equal Gareth Thomas' Welsh record of 40.
Wales dominated the encounter yet had to wait until the 57th minute to pierce the Irish defence with the elusive Williams dancing over.
Llanelli fly-half Stephen Jones contributed two penalties and a conversion while his eventual replacement James Hook weighed in with a late three points.
Williams, though, is not interested in hogging the limelight for himself.
"It is amazing. It was a very good performance by the Irish, but we stuck at it," he said. "The last five minutes were the longest five minutes of my life. But the forwards stuck at it, and we deserved it."
Williams believes credit is due to New Zealander Gatland, who has helped to transform Wales' fortunes along with assistant coach Shaun Edwards.
"It is a lot to do with Warren - and the players, and everybody else," said Williams "Warren has come in with his own ideas; we've trained very hard, and it's going very well."
Ryan Jones was almost lost for words afterwards.
He said: "You can't put moments like that into words. It was fantastic. Very few people get to do it. I am proud and privileged.
"The most important thing was doing it on behalf of the other boys. Individual performances and memories don't mean anything - it is the fact I got to represent those boys.
"I wish we could have all gone up because it was impressive to look out over 73,000 people and hear the cheer go up."
Wales had not won in Dublin for eight years and spent 20 minutes down to 14 men after Mike Phillips and then Martyn Williams were sin-binned.
Ronan O'Gara scored all of Ireland's points - but sparkling winger Shane Williams scored the decisive try to equal Gareth Thomas' Welsh record of 40.
Wales dominated the encounter yet had to wait until the 57th minute to pierce the Irish defence with the elusive Williams dancing over.
Llanelli fly-half Stephen Jones contributed two penalties and a conversion while his eventual replacement James Hook weighed in with a late three points.
Williams, though, is not interested in hogging the limelight for himself.
"It is amazing. It was a very good performance by the Irish, but we stuck at it," he said. "The last five minutes were the longest five minutes of my life. But the forwards stuck at it, and we deserved it."
Williams believes credit is due to New Zealander Gatland, who has helped to transform Wales' fortunes along with assistant coach Shaun Edwards.
"It is a lot to do with Warren - and the players, and everybody else," said Williams "Warren has come in with his own ideas; we've trained very hard, and it's going very well."
Ryan Jones was almost lost for words afterwards.
He said: "You can't put moments like that into words. It was fantastic. Very few people get to do it. I am proud and privileged.
"The most important thing was doing it on behalf of the other boys. Individual performances and memories don't mean anything - it is the fact I got to represent those boys.
"I wish we could have all gone up because it was impressive to look out over 73,000 people and hear the cheer go up."
Wales take the triple crown
Wales have beaten Ireland thanks to a second half comeback. At half time Wales were down 6-3 but managed to end the match 4 points ahead.
BBC sport match report
Wales 6 nations team versus Ireland
Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Scarlets), T Shanklin (Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys); G Jenkins (Blues), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), AW Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: G Williams (Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), G Delve (Gloucester), D Peel (Scarlets), J Hook (Ospreys), S Parker (Ospreys).
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), A Trimble (Ulster), T Bowe (Ulster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: B Jackman (Leinster), T Buckley (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), S Easterby (Scarlets), P Stringer (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster).
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wales 47 Italy 8 - Six nations 2008
A packed Millennium Stadium saw Wales outscore Italy by five tries to one in a 47-8 RBS Six Nations win. The home side were made to work in the first forty minutes but blew away the Italian challenge with 34 unanswered second-half points to clinch the record win. Lee Byrne was the man of the match, his two tries were matched by the magnificent Shane Williams, but Byrne’s coolness under the high ball and pinpoint kicking display won him the accolade.
Italy came out with their attacking intentions clear to see but were nervy in the opening minutes and they soon fell behind when Stephen Jones slotted a three-pointer. It was the first of his 18 points with the boot. He was flawless all day, kicking three conversions and four penalties before being leaving the field to rapturous applause with 13 minutes to play. James Hook was the popular replacement and he did his job in scoring the first of his two conversion's within seconds of coming on.
It was the introduction on Mike Phillips that sparked Wales’s second half performance. The feisty Osprey sliced the Italian defence to shreds with his first touch of the ball, so very nearly scoring a try from seventy metres out.
On the wing, Williams showed his class. His pace, power, and overall work rate all contributing. He weighed in with a brace. His second try was a moment of sheer brilliance and will grace highlight reels in years to come. Warren Gatland’s side now top the RBS Six Nations table with three wins from three, and have Ireland next in the hunt for the Triple Crown.
Italy came out with their attacking intentions clear to see but were nervy in the opening minutes and they soon fell behind when Stephen Jones slotted a three-pointer. It was the first of his 18 points with the boot. He was flawless all day, kicking three conversions and four penalties before being leaving the field to rapturous applause with 13 minutes to play. James Hook was the popular replacement and he did his job in scoring the first of his two conversion's within seconds of coming on.
It was the introduction on Mike Phillips that sparked Wales’s second half performance. The feisty Osprey sliced the Italian defence to shreds with his first touch of the ball, so very nearly scoring a try from seventy metres out.
On the wing, Williams showed his class. His pace, power, and overall work rate all contributing. He weighed in with a brace. His second try was a moment of sheer brilliance and will grace highlight reels in years to come. Warren Gatland’s side now top the RBS Six Nations table with three wins from three, and have Ireland next in the hunt for the Triple Crown.
Wales 47 Italy 8 - Six nations 2008
A packed Millennium Stadium saw Wales outscore Italy by five tries to one in a 47-8 RBS Six Nations win. The home side were made to work in the first forty minutes but blew away the Italian challenge with 34 unanswered second-half points to clinch the record win. Lee Byrne was the man of the match, his two tries were matched by the magnificent Shane Williams, but Byrne’s coolness under the high ball and pinpoint kicking display won him the accolade.
Italy came out with their attacking intentions clear to see but were nervy in the opening minutes and they soon fell behind when Stephen Jones slotted a three-pointer. It was the first of his 18 points with the boot. He was flawless all day, kicking three conversions and four penalties before being leaving the field to rapturous applause with 13 minutes to play. James Hook was the popular replacement and he did his job in scoring the first of his two conversion's within seconds of coming on.
It was the introduction on Mike Phillips that sparked Wales’s second half performance. The feisty Osprey sliced the Italian defence to shreds with his first touch of the ball, so very nearly scoring a try from seventy metres out.
On the wing, Williams showed his class. His pace, power, and overall work rate all contributing. He weighed in with a brace. His second try was a moment of sheer brilliance and will grace highlight reels in years to come. Warren Gatland’s side now top the RBS Six Nations table with three wins from three, and have Ireland next in the hunt for the Triple Crown.
Italy came out with their attacking intentions clear to see but were nervy in the opening minutes and they soon fell behind when Stephen Jones slotted a three-pointer. It was the first of his 18 points with the boot. He was flawless all day, kicking three conversions and four penalties before being leaving the field to rapturous applause with 13 minutes to play. James Hook was the popular replacement and he did his job in scoring the first of his two conversion's within seconds of coming on.
It was the introduction on Mike Phillips that sparked Wales’s second half performance. The feisty Osprey sliced the Italian defence to shreds with his first touch of the ball, so very nearly scoring a try from seventy metres out.
On the wing, Williams showed his class. His pace, power, and overall work rate all contributing. He weighed in with a brace. His second try was a moment of sheer brilliance and will grace highlight reels in years to come. Warren Gatland’s side now top the RBS Six Nations table with three wins from three, and have Ireland next in the hunt for the Triple Crown.
Wales beat 47 - 18 Italy
Critics have been waiting for Wales to crash and burn since their defeat of England, but the men from the valleys are still on track for a second Grand Slam title in four years courtesy of a 47-8 victory over Italy on Saturday.
Tries from Lee Byrne (2), Tom Shanklin and Shane Williams (2), as well as 18 points from the boot of Stephen Jones and four from James Hook ensured the victory, but they had to overcome a decent challenge from the Italians in the first half.
The Wales team that beat Italy:
Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets; Hook, Ospreys, 71), Peel (Scarlets; Phillips, Blues, 43); Jenkins (Blues), Rees (Scarlets; Bennett, Ospreys 57), R Thomas (Scarlets; Duncan Jones, Ospreys, 71), Gough (Ospreys), Evans (Ospreys; Deiniol Jones, Blues, 71), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues; Delve, Gloucester, 73), R Jones (Ospreys, capt.)
Tries from Lee Byrne (2), Tom Shanklin and Shane Williams (2), as well as 18 points from the boot of Stephen Jones and four from James Hook ensured the victory, but they had to overcome a decent challenge from the Italians in the first half.
The Wales team that beat Italy:
Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets; Hook, Ospreys, 71), Peel (Scarlets; Phillips, Blues, 43); Jenkins (Blues), Rees (Scarlets; Bennett, Ospreys 57), R Thomas (Scarlets; Duncan Jones, Ospreys, 71), Gough (Ospreys), Evans (Ospreys; Deiniol Jones, Blues, 71), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues; Delve, Gloucester, 73), R Jones (Ospreys, capt.)
Wales 47 - 18 Italy
Unbeaten Wales cranked up their Grand Slam charge as they romped to a record Six Nations victory over Italy.
More Coverage on the web
Wales 47 - 8 Italy match report from the BBC
Wales v Italy, as it happened, live comments from the Guardian
The Gatfather delivers for Wales again, coverage of Wales win over Italy
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wales on for the grand slam ?!
Wales 30 - 15 Scotland, Six Nations 2008, 9th Feb 2008
Wales built on last weekend's "shock" win against England by beating an under performing Scottish side 30-15 in an error-strewn encounter at the Millennium Stadium.
Photo - Shane Williams grabs Wales first try.
Warren Gatland's side dominated the game and scored three tries to none, but Chris Paterson's boot kept the Scots in the match until the final quarter.
Indeed it took a controversial late Shane Williams try to finally end Scotland's hopes of snatching a dramatic victory.
Paterson's early penalty had given Scotland the lead against the run of play before Wales grabbed their first try in the 13th minute when Shane Williams capitalised on some poor Scottish play before gliding over.
Scotland survived with 14 men for ten minutes following Nathan Hines' indiscretion and, after James Hook and Paterson had exchanged penalties, Wales led by only four points at the break, 10-6.
Paterson's boot kept Scotland in the match as he landed three more penalties after the interval and Frank Hadden's side were only 17-15 behind with 15 minutes left.
Poor Scotland defending as they forgot about tackling allowed Hook to throw a dummy before easing over the line in the 46th minute but it was Shane Williams' second try that finally ended the visitors' resistance. With 12 minutes left he showed great pace before diving over in the corner. The decision went to the video referee who gave the try even though Shane Williams seemed to have put a foot in touch. It may have been a controversial moment but Wales certainly deserved to win the match as they maintained their Grand Slam hopes while the Scots face a battle to avid the wooden spoon. The Welsh side ultimately had too much creativity. More match details.
Photo - Hook goes over in the 46th minute.
Wales built on last weekend's "shock" win against England by beating an under performing Scottish side 30-15 in an error-strewn encounter at the Millennium Stadium.
Photo - Shane Williams grabs Wales first try.
Warren Gatland's side dominated the game and scored three tries to none, but Chris Paterson's boot kept the Scots in the match until the final quarter.
Indeed it took a controversial late Shane Williams try to finally end Scotland's hopes of snatching a dramatic victory.
Paterson's early penalty had given Scotland the lead against the run of play before Wales grabbed their first try in the 13th minute when Shane Williams capitalised on some poor Scottish play before gliding over.
Scotland survived with 14 men for ten minutes following Nathan Hines' indiscretion and, after James Hook and Paterson had exchanged penalties, Wales led by only four points at the break, 10-6.
Paterson's boot kept Scotland in the match as he landed three more penalties after the interval and Frank Hadden's side were only 17-15 behind with 15 minutes left.
Poor Scotland defending as they forgot about tackling allowed Hook to throw a dummy before easing over the line in the 46th minute but it was Shane Williams' second try that finally ended the visitors' resistance. With 12 minutes left he showed great pace before diving over in the corner. The decision went to the video referee who gave the try even though Shane Williams seemed to have put a foot in touch. It may have been a controversial moment but Wales certainly deserved to win the match as they maintained their Grand Slam hopes while the Scots face a battle to avid the wooden spoon. The Welsh side ultimately had too much creativity. More match details.
Photo - Hook goes over in the 46th minute.
Did this help Wales beat England ?
This was the advertising campaign to promote the 6 Nations coverage by S4C.
Positive thinking?!?!?
Positive thinking?!?!?
Wales 30 - 15 Scotland at the Millenium
Match details
Wales 30 - 15 Scotland -9th Feb 2008 - Match Details
First half scores: 0-3 Paterson pen, 5-3 S Williams try, 7-3 Hook con, 10-3 Hook pen, 10-6 Paterson pen.
Second half scores: 10-9 Paterson pen, 15-9 Hook try, 17-9 Hook con, 17-12 Paterson pen, 17-15 Paterson pen, 20-15 S Jones pen, 25-15 S Williams try, 27-15 S Jones con, 30-15 S Jones pen.
Wales: L Byrne; M Jones, S Parker, G Henson, S Williams; J Hook, M Phillips; A Jones, H Bennett, D Jones, I Gough, I Evans, J Thomas, M Williams, R Jones.
Replacements: M Rees (Bennett 59), G Jenkins (Du Jones 53), De Jones (Gough 73), G Delve (R Jones 61), D Peel (Phillips 58), S Jones (Hook 58), S Parker (Shanklin73).
Scotland: H Southwell; N Walker, N De Luca, A Henderson, C Paterson; D Parks, M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, E Murray, N Hines, J Hamilton, J White, J Barclay, K Brown.
Replacements: F Thomson (Ford 73), G Kerr (Murray 69), S MacLeod (Hines 61), A Hogg (White 33), C Cusiter (Blair 75), G Morrison (De Luca 74), S Danielli (Southwell 74).
Referee: B Lawrence (New Zealand)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Wales England Six Nations 2008 on ebay
Already on ebay...
Commemorative beer coasters, fridge magnets, Pint Glasses with the 19 to 26 score and 20 years of waiting slogan and obligatory welsh flag.
Also Programmes, tickets, DVDs
Commemorative beer coasters, fridge magnets, Pint Glasses with the 19 to 26 score and 20 years of waiting slogan and obligatory welsh flag.
Also Programmes, tickets, DVDs
Welsh win at Twickenham derails England's Six Nations hopes
England's Rugby team let slip a 16-3 first-half lead as Wales rallied to its first win at Twickenham for 20 years.
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England had showed glimpses of the attacking style that coach Brian Ashton has his team striving for, but second-half tries by Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips spurred Wales to a comeback led by James Hook's 16 points.
Man-of-the-match Hook landed two conversions and four penalties, as well as setting up Byrne's score with a quick sidestep, to put in doubt England's chances of winning the tournament after just one match.
England has just one more home match left, and has to travel to tournament favourite France, improving Scotland and Italy.
England's game next week is at Italy, which unsettled Ireland with its fierce forward power, and it will be hampered by injuries to David Strettle, Lewis Moody, Tom Rees and Mike Tindall, who all had to leave Saturday's game, the latter on a stretcher.
But Wales, under coach Warren Gatland, can contemplate the possibility of a first title since its 2005 Grand Slam.
"I can't put it into words," Wales captain Ryan Jones said. "It's the most fantastic day of my career. We knew we were good enough, it was just down to putting all the things we're good at into practice."
England had looked set to dominate Wales, which continually lost ball in the turnover and seemed to be tiring as it trailed 16-6 at halftime.
Strettle's early injury with the scores at 3-3 hadn't seemed to hurt England, since it led to a debut for Lesley Vainikolo. The Tongan-born wing, who has played 12 times for New Zealand's rugby league team, was instrumental in setting up his new team's opening try in the 22nd.
Vainikolo leapt high over Mark Jones on the left wing to grab Jonny Wilkinson's cross-field kick from the air and, although he stumbled over Jones when he landed, the big wing slipped an inside pass to centre Toby Flood, who touched down.
Wilkinson converted and, after Hook got three points back to make it 16-6, the game seemed to hinge on a disallowed try for Paul Sackey.
The England wing was hauled down short of the line and rolled over the tacklers to get there, but replays could not prove conclusively that he had grounded the ball, and Wales withstood pressure to get to halftime.
Moody's replacement, Rees, had to go off injured at halftime and could only be replaced by lock Ben Kay. Although Wilkinson kicked another penalty to stretch the lead, England looked increasingly disjointed and Wales, seemingly encouraged by the fact that it had not conceded further tries, started to encroach into home territory.
Hook kicked to make it 19-9 and a dropped ball from Andy Gomarsall then put England in trouble and led to a penalty that Hook converted.
England centre Tindall, England's steadiest back, was carried off to be replaced by the attacking Danny Cipriani and Wales made the most of the weakness with two tries in two minutes.
Hook set up the first for Byrne on the left and Phillips added the second in the same corner after charging down an attempted clearance by fullback Iain Balshaw.
Hook converted both to send Wales seven points clear for the last 11 minutes, most of which Wales spent inside England's 22.
But Wales won't be celebrating too hard, with a match against Scotland seven days away.
"We've got a big game next week, so it's home early and up in the morning," Jones said.
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England had showed glimpses of the attacking style that coach Brian Ashton has his team striving for, but second-half tries by Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips spurred Wales to a comeback led by James Hook's 16 points.
Man-of-the-match Hook landed two conversions and four penalties, as well as setting up Byrne's score with a quick sidestep, to put in doubt England's chances of winning the tournament after just one match.
England has just one more home match left, and has to travel to tournament favourite France, improving Scotland and Italy.
England's game next week is at Italy, which unsettled Ireland with its fierce forward power, and it will be hampered by injuries to David Strettle, Lewis Moody, Tom Rees and Mike Tindall, who all had to leave Saturday's game, the latter on a stretcher.
But Wales, under coach Warren Gatland, can contemplate the possibility of a first title since its 2005 Grand Slam.
"I can't put it into words," Wales captain Ryan Jones said. "It's the most fantastic day of my career. We knew we were good enough, it was just down to putting all the things we're good at into practice."
England had looked set to dominate Wales, which continually lost ball in the turnover and seemed to be tiring as it trailed 16-6 at halftime.
Strettle's early injury with the scores at 3-3 hadn't seemed to hurt England, since it led to a debut for Lesley Vainikolo. The Tongan-born wing, who has played 12 times for New Zealand's rugby league team, was instrumental in setting up his new team's opening try in the 22nd.
Vainikolo leapt high over Mark Jones on the left wing to grab Jonny Wilkinson's cross-field kick from the air and, although he stumbled over Jones when he landed, the big wing slipped an inside pass to centre Toby Flood, who touched down.
Wilkinson converted and, after Hook got three points back to make it 16-6, the game seemed to hinge on a disallowed try for Paul Sackey.
The England wing was hauled down short of the line and rolled over the tacklers to get there, but replays could not prove conclusively that he had grounded the ball, and Wales withstood pressure to get to halftime.
Moody's replacement, Rees, had to go off injured at halftime and could only be replaced by lock Ben Kay. Although Wilkinson kicked another penalty to stretch the lead, England looked increasingly disjointed and Wales, seemingly encouraged by the fact that it had not conceded further tries, started to encroach into home territory.
Hook kicked to make it 19-9 and a dropped ball from Andy Gomarsall then put England in trouble and led to a penalty that Hook converted.
England centre Tindall, England's steadiest back, was carried off to be replaced by the attacking Danny Cipriani and Wales made the most of the weakness with two tries in two minutes.
Hook set up the first for Byrne on the left and Phillips added the second in the same corner after charging down an attempted clearance by fullback Iain Balshaw.
Hook converted both to send Wales seven points clear for the last 11 minutes, most of which Wales spent inside England's 22.
But Wales won't be celebrating too hard, with a match against Scotland seven days away.
"We've got a big game next week, so it's home early and up in the morning," Jones said.
What next ?
Think Wales can win the six nations and / or the grand slam ?
Betfair have a £10 free bet if you are new. Bet £10 and you should get about £50 if Wales win the tournament.
Betfair have a £10 free bet if you are new. Bet £10 and you should get about £50 if Wales win the tournament.
England 19 Wales 26 Twickenham 2008
Wales claimed their first win at Twickenham for 20 years with a superb second-half comeback to defeat England.
"Amazing how this English news reader makes such an exciting event sound boring !"
Check out the report from BBC News below ...
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"Amazing how this English news reader makes such an exciting event sound boring !"
Check out the report from BBC News below ...
Share on Facebook
Wales Team 2008 that beat England
Wales team that beat England 2008 Six Nations: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Shane Williams (Ospreys), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Scarlets); James Hook (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Blues), Ryan Jones (capt, Ospreys).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues).
England team that lost against Wales in 2008 Six Nations: Iain Balshaw (Gloucester), Paul Sackey (Wasps), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Toby Flood (Newcastle), David Strettle (Harlequins), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle), Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins); Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Mark Regan (Bristol), Phil Vickery (capt, Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Steve Borthwick (Bath), James Haskell (Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Luke Narraway (Gloucester).
Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath), Matt Stevens (Bath), Ben Kay (Leicester), Tom Rees (Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale), Dan Cipriani (Wasps), Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester).
Wales England Six Nations 2008
Wales captain Ryan Jones described his team's stunning win over England as the greatest day of his career.
"It was a fantastic effort and the win was thoroughly deserved," said Jones, in his first game as skipper.
"Even when we were 10 points down we had belief in ourselves. We knew we were good enough."
Check out the highlights below....
"It was a fantastic effort and the win was thoroughly deserved," said Jones, in his first game as skipper.
"Even when we were 10 points down we had belief in ourselves. We knew we were good enough."
Check out the highlights below....
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Wales claim stunning win
Wales stunned World Cup finalists England after staging an astounding Twickenham fightback to launch their RBS 6 Nations campaign with a 26-19 win.
New coach Warren Gatland announced his arrival by masterminding Wales' first Twickenham triumph since 1988 - and they did it the hard way, fighting back from 19-6 adrift to score 20 unanswered points during a remarkable 13-minute spell in the second half.
Full-back Lee Byrne and scrum-half Mike Phillips scored tries to tilt the balance of a gripping encounter, while fly-half James Hook kicked 16 points.
Gatland's decision to field a record 13 Ospreys in his starting line-up was totally vindicated as England were unceremoniously grounded.
The home side suffered a savage quadruple injury setback, with wing David Strettle, flanker Lewis Moody, centre Mike Tindall and Moody's fellow back-row forward Tom Rees all being forced off.
It means England head coach Brian Ashton has some tough decisions to make before his players head to Rome.
Strettle's exit meant a debut for ex-Bradford Bulls star Lesley Vainikolo, the Tonga-born New Zealand rugby league international who qualifies for England on residency.
And Vainikolo provided a highlight of the game, with his delicate offload that led to centre Toby Flood touching down.
Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson also contributed 14 points for the shell-shocked hosts.
New coach Warren Gatland announced his arrival by masterminding Wales' first Twickenham triumph since 1988 - and they did it the hard way, fighting back from 19-6 adrift to score 20 unanswered points during a remarkable 13-minute spell in the second half.
Full-back Lee Byrne and scrum-half Mike Phillips scored tries to tilt the balance of a gripping encounter, while fly-half James Hook kicked 16 points.
Gatland's decision to field a record 13 Ospreys in his starting line-up was totally vindicated as England were unceremoniously grounded.
The home side suffered a savage quadruple injury setback, with wing David Strettle, flanker Lewis Moody, centre Mike Tindall and Moody's fellow back-row forward Tom Rees all being forced off.
It means England head coach Brian Ashton has some tough decisions to make before his players head to Rome.
Strettle's exit meant a debut for ex-Bradford Bulls star Lesley Vainikolo, the Tonga-born New Zealand rugby league international who qualifies for England on residency.
And Vainikolo provided a highlight of the game, with his delicate offload that led to centre Toby Flood touching down.
Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson also contributed 14 points for the shell-shocked hosts.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Welsh National Anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
(Cytgan)
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.
Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
(Cytgan)
Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
(Cytgan)
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
(Cytgan)
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.
Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
(Cytgan)
Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
(Cytgan)
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