Wales ignoring WRU sideshow and aiming to upset Ireland
AN unprecedented offfield storm has engulfed Welsh rugby in the last 10 days. Shocking allegations of sexism and misogyny have rocked the game. Former chief executive Steve Phillips resigned as the crisis escalated. Welsh Rugby Union bigwigs have faced questions from Welsh Assembly members over the workplace culture at the organisation. Wales’ players have also been quizzed.
Then, to top off the WRU’s week from hell, their banning of the Tom Jones anthem Delilah from being sung by the choir at Principality Stadium saw them hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons again.
Now, a different sort of problem is on the horizon as world No 1 side Ireland arrive in Cardiff today for a mouthwatering start to the Six Nations.
‘It’s disappointing what has come out of the past fortnight,’ said Wales captain Ken Owens yesterday. ‘I’d be lying if I said we hadn’t been talking about it. But we are in our own bubble and the only thing we can do is concentrate on the rugby. At the end of the day that’s what we are here to do.’ An external taskforce has been appointed to look into the historic cases of sexism and misogyny at the WRU after Nigel Walker – Phillips’ replacement as interim chief executive – and chairman Ieuan Evans admitted a blind eye had been turned to such problems in the past.
Centre George North added: ‘Obviously some really important issues have been raised. We will have to leave that to Ieuan and Nigel and the taskforce to
“We’ve the World No.1 coming into our back garden”
deal with so we don’t have anything else like this happen again in the WRU.
‘The points and issues raised are really important to us as players and as a union. But in terms of focus, we’ve got the world’s No 1 team coming into our back garden. If that doesn’t get us focused, I’m not sure what will.’
Ireland rightly enter the 2023 Six Nations atop World Rugby’s global rankings. Wales, by contrast, had an awful 2022. They won just three times from 12 games, a record which cost their former head coach Wayne Pivac his job. It led to the return of Warren Gatland.
With Gatland back in charge for a second time, there is now a belief back in this Wales side that was lacking at the end of last year.
‘We try and let him (Gatland) deal with all the other stuff to be honest. He’s very good at doing that and allowing us to really focus on training,’ said North. ‘Experience is key in these camps, especially in the Six Nations. You’re into it very quickly and it happens thick and fast.
‘Gats set the tone pretty early on. It’s been quite direct and obvious what he wants to do and how he wants to go about it. It’s been a tough prep week. We know what the task is.’
Gatland this week acknowledged the value of players like North and Owens who have been there, seen it, and done it in the Six Nations. Even after the late withdrawal of full-back Leigh Halfpenny due to a back spasm, Gatland’s starting side today contains 936 Welsh caps.
‘We can’t get away from the fact Ireland are ranked the No 1 side in the world and are probably Six Nations favourites,’ said hooker Owens, who leads Wales for the first time.
‘We have chopped and changed with Gats coming back in and new coaches and players coming in. We have a lot of experience out there. The pressure is off us externally but internally we put a lot of pressure on ourselves because we know our ability as a squad.’
Wales have plenty of international knowhow and a sprinkling of youthful exuberance. Jac Morgan will look to continue his impressive development on the flank. Joe Hawkins, only 20, will win just his second cap in the midfield alongside North.
And yet, there is belief in Wales they can cause a shock. With Tadhg Furlong out Wales will look to dominate up front and compete hard at the breakdown. Wales were blown away in Dublin last year because they could not slow down Ireland’s ball.
If they can do that, they have a chance of ending what Gatland has called a ‘free hit’ for his team with victory. All the pressure to deliver is on Ireland.