I had a trial for Welsh Schools and got turned down... but I was the best player!
England against Wales is special. Of all Six nations matches, it’s the one with the most needle — the one you don’t want to lose.
Wales were also a special team for me to play and coach against because of the rugby education I had in their system. I went to school at HMS Conway on anglesey, north Wales, from 1969 to 1974. Unable to play my beloved football, I threw myself into rugby. It coincided with the zenith of Welsh rugby, a national side filled with greats including two of my heroes — Barry John and JPR Williams.
I even went to a Welsh Schools trial. Terry Holmes and gareth davies were there as the starting half-backs. What careers they had! no one had heard of me when I arrived at the trial. despite qualifying through my Welsh school, I quickly had a sense of discomfort as to why an English kid was being considered to represent Wales. I played well. I thought I was the best player! But I didn’t get in.
Things turned out very differently. a year later I’d left school and played for an England Colts team against Wales Youth at Twickenham. Holmes and davies were both involved again wearing red shirts. But we won.
a few years later, in 1980, I played for the full England side against Wales at Twickenham. and yes, you guessed it, Holmes and davies both started!
That game will be remembered for a long time. Paul Ringer was sent off for Wales in a dirty match and we hammered them 9-8! dusty Hare kicked three penalties.
England won the grand Slam that year and a few months later, I was on the British & Irish lions tour of South africa with Holmes, davies and other great Welshmen like Ray gravell.
alan Phillips, who went on to become Wales team manager, was also on that tour as a hooker. gravell was a legend. I roomed with him — god knows how I survived. He was mad as a hatter.
When Ray was still with us and after he’d retired, he used to do television work like me. at every England and Wales match, he’d come and find me. I dreaded those moments because even though I would be pitchside in my suit, Ray would tackle me to the ground and shout: ‘I always told you you were just a soft centre!’
Ray’s death in 2007 was really sad. So too has been the passing of other Welsh greats Williams and John this year.
When I was at Conway, the likes of JPR were heroes. That was a Welsh rugby golden period and we all — even those of us born in England — idolised them.
That explains why England against Wales is special for me. But it’s the same for every player and coach who gets the chance to be involved in the historic fixture.
I was fortunate to have a good record against Wales. But the Welsh won’t ever let me forget Wembley in 1999 and that Scott gibbs try. neither will I, let me tell you! With my love of football, I was devastated to lose at Wembley.
They say you never lose, you only learn. Well, we learned a lot that day. We had a serious wobble in the 2003 World Cup quarter-final too, going in at half-time behind to Wales. The thought of what life would’ve been like had we lost still keeps me up at night. Thank goodness for Jason Robinson.
Wales are always a tough nut to crack — particularly with Warren gatland as coach. I’d be nervous if England were going to Cardiff. But I’m not sure Wales are as fearsome on the road. England must improve on the victory in Rome but if they don’t win tomorrow it will be a huge disappointment. I don’t see them losing. That prediction might come back to bite me. But Wales are young and inexperienced.
There’s a saying doing the rounds in Test rugby today: ‘attack both sides of the ball.’ I’ve heard Steve Borthwick and England players say it. That means be good in attack and defence! It’s hardly revolutionary. Of course you need a good defence. But I’d like to see England focus on attack.
Captain Jamie george has been talking about reconnecting with the public and making Twickenham a tough place to go. He wants fans going wild with excitement. nothing would make me happier.
and as important as defence is, it won’t get fans jumping for joy. Thrilling tries will. England showed promise against Italy but it might be Wales who double down on the attack that so nearly delivered an incredible comeback against Scotland. a young side, evoking the speedy, ruthless style of 1970s Wales is not a bad blueprint.
It won’t be easy, but England should have enough for victory — one which will give me bragging rights over my Welsh friends for another year.