Wales On Sunday

ACE WATKIN TACKLES PROSPECT OF SLAM PRESSURE

- BEN JAMES Rugby writer ben.james@walesonlin­e.co.uk

SAM Warburton scything down Manu Tuilagi metres out from the Twickenham try line. Hadleigh Parkes somehow chasing down Jacob Stockdale in the Cardiff rain.

When Wales win a Grand Slam, something the Welsh public have been somewhat spoilt by in recent years, there’s usually a moment of defensive inspiratio­n tucked away somewhere in the success.

Talk of a Grand Slam this year is still a little too premature for many, but Wales are two wins from two and, following on from above, have seen not just one, but two remarkable defensive moments once the clock has gone red.

First, Justin Tipuric produced a last-ditch tackle on Ireland’s Garry Ringrose in Cardiff to prevent a likely try, before Owen Watkin replicated the trick a week later in Edinburgh. He brought down Duhan van der Merwe with the finest of tap tackles when Scotland looked destined to snatch victory.

In particular, Watkin’s tackle was as eye-catching as it was important.

But what does the man himself think?

“It’s definitely one I will remember for a long time, but I can’t really remember too much of the actual tackle,” revealed the Ospreys centre.

“All I remember was I was out of breath! Obviously I was happy to do my bit and help the team out.

“If you look at the video, most of the team was chasing back but I was just lucky to be the one closest to him.”

In the days that followed, there were plenty of plaudits – including calls from former England fly-half Andy Goode to give Watkin the ‘freedom of Wales’ after his interventi­on.

However, the impact of his actions was a little lost on the 24-year-old to begin with.

“I probably didn’t realise how much of a big moment it was at the time,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of praise which is pleasing, but the boys did the hard work in the 80 minutes before that. It’s just one moment in a game.

“You can look at Louis Rees-Zammit’s try, which was unbelievab­le. That was another big moment. I think all the boys had a moment like that during the game.”

With two victories from two, thoughts inevitably creep towards a Grand Slam.

Some players might play things down, but Watkin is very upfront about what Wales’ ambitions in the tournament are.

“Obviously, starting with two wins – you can’t ask for much more.

“We just want to win. You win five games – you win the Grand Slam. We don’t care how we do it.

“It’s all about getting the Ws at the end of the day.”

And Watkin, who was a part of the 2019 Grand Slam-winning side, admitted that the current situation

with Covid-19 protocols has only strengthen­ed the desire for another clean sweep.

“It’s difficult not being able to go home and see your family and friends, but we’re here to do a job,” he added.

“We’re all in the same boat – players and staff. We’ve got to come together, help each other and make the most of it.

“We’re here to win a Grand Slam at the end of the day.

“Whatever sacrifice we have to make to do that, we will.”

Before anyone can get too far ahead of themselves, there’s the small task of welcoming England to Cardiff next Saturday.

Despite a Calcutta Cup defeat to kick their tournament off, Watkin is aware that Eddie Jones’ men haven’t “become a bad team overnight”.

Naturally, he’s desperate to start against the defending champions, but with Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins, George North, Willis Halaholo and the returning Jonathan Davies all in contention, competitio­n for a midfield spot is fierce.

“From a personal point of view, I obviously want to start against England.

“But there’s six of us in contention with Foxy back in the mix,” he said.

“That’s great for us, great for the squad and the country. We’re all doing our bit to get selected, but also doing our bit for the team.

“It’s so good for the team to have six centres who are playing well and are fit.

“You can’t ask for much more than that.”

 ??  ?? Owen Watkin on the attack during Wales’ win over Scotland at Murrayfiel­d last week, but it was his last-ditch tackle on Duhan van der Merwe that earned him plenty of plaudits
Owen Watkin on the attack during Wales’ win over Scotland at Murrayfiel­d last week, but it was his last-ditch tackle on Duhan van der Merwe that earned him plenty of plaudits

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