With a potential title-decider against England ten days away, now is about the time when Wales traditionally unite in anticipation of the impending clash with the old enemy. Instead, Warren Gatland, his players and management have been aghast at the negative reaction from former players and the public to their 19-10 victory over France on Friday, which focused on the shortage of attacking flair on show at the Principality Stadium.
Neil Jenkins, the assistant coach, said yesterday that he was “baffled” that there was not greater celebration of a fifth consecutive victory over France, which kept them unbeaten in this season’s RBS Six Nations Championship. A victory over England at Twickenham a week on Saturday would put them on the brink of a third title in five seasons, with Italy to play in Cardiff in the final round of matches.
“The most important thing is to keep doing what we’re doingNeil Jenkins, Wales assistant coach
“It was a funny feeling after the game, when you hear some of the stuff, I don’t quite get it, we’d just beaten France and it’s five times on the bounce,” Jenkins said yesterday. “It’s baffling, but here we are, it’s Wales.”
Barry John, the former fly half, had summed up the feelings of many supporters by describing the performance against France as “drab and colourless” and the first half as “a total embarrassment to international rugby”. Jonathan Davies, another former No 10, said: “I’m glad I don’t have to write about it.”
Jenkins counters that Welsh supporters have rarely had it so good, stringing five victories together against France for the first time since the 1950s. “The most important thing is to keep doing what we’re doing, keep trying to get better, keep winning,” he said. “That’s what sport’s all about. These boys have got short careers, their win-loss [records] are pretty good, they’ve got a few trophies under the belt too, a Lions series victory most of them. I think we’ve got a pretty special side.”
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At the same time, there is a recognition that Wales have fallen short of their stated desire to bring greater variety to an attacking game based around the ball-carrying of their physical back line. Sam Warburton, the captain, had conceded that his side had ground out an “ugly” win and Jenkins said that they were falling short in execution rather than ambition.
“We’re trying to play rugby, but the opposition are trying to stop us as well, there are some good defences out there,” Jenkins said.