Epic day we halted France’s Ferraris
WALES CAN STAGE A GRAND REPEAT SAYS ICON EDWARDS
IN THIS time of limited pleasures, two will arrive at once for Gareth Edwards.
The first, on Friday, is a haircut; the second on Saturday is Wales’ Grand Slam shot in France.
Paris triggers fond memories for the great scrum-half, a tryscorer there the last time Wales completed the clean sweep in the French capital 50 years ago.
The 9-5 victory at the crumbling Stade Colombes – setting for the 1924 Olympics – was the first of three Grand Slams that Edwards, 73, was to savour in his minted career with that storied Wales side.
As with many experiences in life, the first time was the sweetest. “1971 was the most enjoyable of the Grand Slams because we virtually played the game off the cuff,” said Edwards, above.
“It was the coming together of some very exciting players and we played some lovely rugby.
“In those days the fixtures were always in the same order and we used to curse the fact that we had to play them last in Paris with the sun on their backs.
“But we had great backs in Barry John and Gerald Davies and the like. “The irony was the Grand Slam game itself was actually won by our defence. France had a superb team – they were the Ferraris of that era.
“We really were up against it but even Barry was tackling them. He broke his nose tackling Benoit Dauga and had cotton wool stuffed up his nose to stop the bleeding. It was like that scene out of A Fish Called Wanda.”
The French struck first through a try by Dauga – worth a measly three points back then – but Wales hit back through Edwards’ long-range score after a JPR Williams interception five metres from their own line.
“I went hell for leather after JPR because I could see him vanishing into the sunset,” said Edwards. “I followed him all the way to the French 25, as it was then. “I shouted to him and he gave me the pass and I scored in the corner.” John’s
slicing second-half try delivered Wales’ first victory in Paris for 14 years – and their first Grand Slam since 1952.
“I can remember the delight of the Welsh fans in Paris that night. We had a great time,” said Edwards.
“We used to have these banquets in Paris after the match and then the French players would take us around the city to a few clubs until the early hours. We made the most of it.
“As disappointed as the French players were, they were still up for enjoyment.
“They played hard but they also knew how to enjoy themselves.”
If the visitors repeat the heroics of the class of ’71 on Saturday night, there will be no crawl around Paris for obvious reasons.
They will make their mark on Six Nations history, though, and continue a proud Welsh lineage.
“I’m very hopeful Wales will do it,” said Edwards.
“They have been the best team in the championship but my experience tells me you can never pre-empt who is going to win in Paris.
“Wales are confident enough to beat anyone at the moment and they have shown they have the mettle to win away. But it’s going to be a very tense match.”
We were up against it but even Barry John was tackling them