Joe Giddens/Pa Wire/Press Association Images
Wales’ great start helped them hold off a courageous Italian fightback in the opening game of the Six Nations in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium today.
First-half tries from backs Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams, combined with some very neat kicking from full-back Leigh Halfpenny had the reigning champions 17-3 ahead at the break, as they commenced their quest for a three-in-a-row in the Northern Hemisphere’s premier annual rugby competition.
However, Italy fought back in the second half with an early try from debutant and Rbs Six Nations Man of the Match Michele Campagnaro.
Walses looked comfortable at 60 minutes, and Gatland made a raft of changes, presumably resting players before next week’s crucial clash with Ireland in Dublin.
However, Campagnaro pulled of a fantastic interception from a Halfpenny pass to nab a breakaway try for Italy that saw the scoreline at 20-...
Wales’ great start helped them hold off a courageous Italian fightback in the opening game of the Six Nations in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium today.
First-half tries from backs Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams, combined with some very neat kicking from full-back Leigh Halfpenny had the reigning champions 17-3 ahead at the break, as they commenced their quest for a three-in-a-row in the Northern Hemisphere’s premier annual rugby competition.
However, Italy fought back in the second half with an early try from debutant and Rbs Six Nations Man of the Match Michele Campagnaro.
Walses looked comfortable at 60 minutes, and Gatland made a raft of changes, presumably resting players before next week’s crucial clash with Ireland in Dublin.
However, Campagnaro pulled of a fantastic interception from a Halfpenny pass to nab a breakaway try for Italy that saw the scoreline at 20-...
- 2/1/2014
- by Diarmuid Hickey
- Obsessed with Film
Continuing our new regular feature, our rugby columnist Jeff Ball makes his predictions for this weekend’s round of matches which include Exeter Chiefs away to Stade Francais, Harlequins against Toulon and Saracens at home to Clermont Auvergne. Let us know your predictions either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch
The Premiership takes a week off this week to let the knock out stages of both European Cup competitions take place. The English sides are poorly represented with Saracens being the only one in the last eight in the Heineken Cup, but Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and Wasps all feature in the Amlin Challenge Cup. There are some fascinating match ups in both competitions in what promises to be an interesting rugby filled weekend.
Key: Amlin Challenge Cup (AC) Heineken Cup (Hc)
Thursday
Stade Francais v Exeter Chiefs (AC)
The weekend kicks off with what is a historic first...
The Premiership takes a week off this week to let the knock out stages of both European Cup competitions take place. The English sides are poorly represented with Saracens being the only one in the last eight in the Heineken Cup, but Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and Wasps all feature in the Amlin Challenge Cup. There are some fascinating match ups in both competitions in what promises to be an interesting rugby filled weekend.
Key: Amlin Challenge Cup (AC) Heineken Cup (Hc)
Thursday
Stade Francais v Exeter Chiefs (AC)
The weekend kicks off with what is a historic first...
- 4/5/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Our rugby columnist Jeff Ball discusses who impressed during this year’s competition and selects his team of the tournament. Let us know your team either in the comments below or on Twitter at @Ballintouch
With the hangovers of Cardiff now dulled and replaced with warm glow of satisfaction, now is a good time to have a look back at who impressed in this year’s Six nations and can justifiable bask in the public’s admiration as the rose tinted glasses of history beckon.
One paper this week said this was a Six Nations that left more questions than answers and it would be right. Where does Andy Robinson go from here? Will Italy ever have decent half backs again? How good can England be? Can Wales go on and beat the Southern Hemisphere sides? Why do France still go from fabulous to farce? And are there any more tighthead props in Ireland?...
With the hangovers of Cardiff now dulled and replaced with warm glow of satisfaction, now is a good time to have a look back at who impressed in this year’s Six nations and can justifiable bask in the public’s admiration as the rose tinted glasses of history beckon.
One paper this week said this was a Six Nations that left more questions than answers and it would be right. Where does Andy Robinson go from here? Will Italy ever have decent half backs again? How good can England be? Can Wales go on and beat the Southern Hemisphere sides? Why do France still go from fabulous to farce? And are there any more tighthead props in Ireland?...
- 3/23/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Wales completed a historic third Grand Slam in seven years by beating France in Cardiff to win this year’s Six Nations. Let us know your thoughts on the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @BallinTouch
Super Saturday continued with an atmospheric Millennium Stadium brimming with expectation of another Welsh Grand Slam and hope that France didn’t beat them like they did at their last meeting at the World Cup.
The French had requested the roof be kept open, meaning the pitch was slick and inviting to handling errors. When Beauxis pinged a drop goal attempt low and wide in the opening seconds, the way the ball skimmed across the grass made it clear how wet the ground was.
Nonetheless, Wales started the game as they had for the whole tournament, trying to play. Jonathan Davies made some inroads to test the French defence, but a...
Super Saturday continued with an atmospheric Millennium Stadium brimming with expectation of another Welsh Grand Slam and hope that France didn’t beat them like they did at their last meeting at the World Cup.
The French had requested the roof be kept open, meaning the pitch was slick and inviting to handling errors. When Beauxis pinged a drop goal attempt low and wide in the opening seconds, the way the ball skimmed across the grass made it clear how wet the ground was.
Nonetheless, Wales started the game as they had for the whole tournament, trying to play. Jonathan Davies made some inroads to test the French defence, but a...
- 3/17/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Wales continued their quest for the Grand Slam whilst Italy were desperate to avoid another wooden spoon in Cardiff on Saturday.Let us know what you thought of the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch
Wales had retained as much of the line up from their last match as possible with Justin Tipuric making his first start in the place of the injured Sam Warburton. Italy made a raft of changes after their disappointing loss last time out to Ireland, with Kris Burton taking back the ten shirt from the less than impressive Botes.
Italy, clearly incensed by a less than satisfying outing last time were clearly keen to deny Wales any periods of quick ball, setting to at the coalface as is their way. Halfpenny continued his good form in this year’s Six Nations by opening the scoring with a kick from distance as Wales began well,...
Wales had retained as much of the line up from their last match as possible with Justin Tipuric making his first start in the place of the injured Sam Warburton. Italy made a raft of changes after their disappointing loss last time out to Ireland, with Kris Burton taking back the ten shirt from the less than impressive Botes.
Italy, clearly incensed by a less than satisfying outing last time were clearly keen to deny Wales any periods of quick ball, setting to at the coalface as is their way. Halfpenny continued his good form in this year’s Six Nations by opening the scoring with a kick from distance as Wales began well,...
- 3/10/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
After two games, both sides were at risk of losing their unbeaten streak, as an inexperienced England took on a mountainous Wales at Twickenham. Let us know what you thought of the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch and remember to use our handy beginners A-z guide to rugby, here.
With Wales in the unique position of favourites for this match at Twickenham, all the talk was about the callowness of the starting England side and the size of the Welsh backline.
It was the gigantic George North who almost drew first blood, two scything runs cutting the England defence to pieces and taking the Welsh into the English 22. Unlike the Irish in the earlier game of the day, Wales were in no mood to start slowly.
The sound of Swing Low reverberated around Twickenham early on, the crowd clearly keen to encourage their team and...
With Wales in the unique position of favourites for this match at Twickenham, all the talk was about the callowness of the starting England side and the size of the Welsh backline.
It was the gigantic George North who almost drew first blood, two scything runs cutting the England defence to pieces and taking the Welsh into the English 22. Unlike the Irish in the earlier game of the day, Wales were in no mood to start slowly.
The sound of Swing Low reverberated around Twickenham early on, the crowd clearly keen to encourage their team and...
- 2/25/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Ball In Touch:The final game of the opening weekend saw Wales travel to Dublin to take on Ireland, who would be looking to avenge their defeat in the World Cup Quarter-Final. Let us know what you thought of the game or anything else either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch and remember to use our handy beginners A-z guide to rugby, here.
All the talk was predictably about the World Cup quarter-final between these two sides that was won by the Welsh and led to their failed semi-final effort against France. The Irish side seemed to select as many as possible from those still available, the absence of Brian O’Driscoll through injury being the most notable. His replacement Keith Earls had also dropped out of the team so Fergus McFadden had all the pressure of the number 13 shirt to deal with.
Wales still constituted the majority of...
All the talk was predictably about the World Cup quarter-final between these two sides that was won by the Welsh and led to their failed semi-final effort against France. The Irish side seemed to select as many as possible from those still available, the absence of Brian O’Driscoll through injury being the most notable. His replacement Keith Earls had also dropped out of the team so Fergus McFadden had all the pressure of the number 13 shirt to deal with.
Wales still constituted the majority of...
- 2/5/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
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