Heady days indeed for Welsh rugby

Wales against Scotland is nothing like Wales against England. Wales against Ireland is nothing like Wales against England. Wales against France is nothing like Wales against England. Nothing is like Wales England except Scotland against England and Ireland against England and France against England. Wales do not want to lose to Scotland or to Ireland but they hate to lose against England. Wales? Scotland, Ireland and France, too.

Imagine a room in a city in England on the afternoon of the England v Wales game. Two very successful businessmen are sitting watching the game. Both are Welsh and thus both are hugely patriotic. The language they shout at the television is extraordinary, words they would rarely use at other times. "Take that you corduroy-trousered effing ....." as Wales overturn the half-time deficit of 6-16.

You don't need me to fill in the gaps. I think you can guess they wanted Wales to win and when Wales did win, it was a triumph of the underdog. It wasn't just a victory on the rugby field; it was revenge for centuries of dominance by the men from the other side of the Severn.

Text messages buzzed through the ether. "What was an Englishman with a bottle of champagne at Twickenham? Answer: a waiter.

There wasn't any of that gloating at Cardiff on Saturday when Wales swatted away a brave Scotland team and there won't be any similar undertones when Italy visit Wales's capital later this month. Swearing? Yes. Shouting? Yes. Wanting Wales to win? Yes, not least because it will keep hopes of the Grand Slam alive.  But shouting things such as that Welshman did in that city in England on the afternoon of 2 February? No.

"It is hard being English" an Englishman said. "When we win everyone says we should because we have so many more resources. When we lose, everyone gloats. What are we supposed to do?"

You don't get the Welsh? They care about themselves, their country, their family, their heritage. When attacked from the outside, they turn in on themselves and unite, a small nation defending itself. Their fervour is impressive.

You want to know about tribalism? You think of Celtic v Rangers at football. Think of Wales v England at rugby. You want to know about triumphalism? Think of England's hopelessly overblown bus top ride after winning The Ashes. Welshmen may have enjoyed the thrilling series but the sight of so many gloating English.....well, that's hard to take.

So Wales move on. The Triple Crown will be decided in Croke Park in March and if Wales win that then only France can prevent them winning the Grand Slam. These are heady days for Welsh rugby. And every Welsh person, man or woman, wants to tell you about them. It makes you proud to be Welsh.

Comments

[richard jones]

After the Kiwis and OZ, England are the world's worst loosers!!!!!

[Andy Clarke]

You may have won - doesn't mean you are any good. England were so awful you only had to play well for 10 minutes. Your other win was hardly spectacular....I wouldn't get too carried away about the "Glory Days" just yet....keep it going for a decade like the REAL Welsh Glory days...then maybe!