Rugby Union: Roaring to go with the Lions

Sunday Mirror, Mar 25, 2001 by PHIL BENNETT: Interview by DAVID WILLIAMS

JUST when they needed it most, a number of Welsh players put themselves firmly back in Lions contention last weekend.

The victory over France in Paris could not have been better timed for Wales, or for Graham Henry - but for those wishing to tour Down Under with Henry this summer it was priceless.

England have been setting the standards and it was up to Wales to respond.

They did so in emphatic style in the final 50 minutes against the French, and with the unlucky Irish boys being denied a platform at present then many of those Welsh performances could prove so vital.

It was a wonderful team effort by Wales and I felt Darren Morris, Dai Young, Ian Gough, Mark Taylor and Rhys Williams all had their best matches for Wales for a long time.

But for me, three men stood out in a class of their own - Rob Howley, Neil Jenkins and Scott Quinnell.

It was vintage Howley. His magnificent try just put the seal on a display as good as those he was producing four years ago in South Africa before injury suddenly robbed him of Lions caps.

When Rob plays like that he is a real inspiration and there is not a scrum-half in Britain who can touch him.

Jenks (below) was also superb in his control and authority and his goal-kicking was again out of this world.

I would say it was Neil's second-best performance ever in a Welsh jersey after the commanding match he enjoyed in the victory over South Africa two years ago.

It was one of Scott's best games for his country as well. He was immense. As a ball-carrier he has been awesome for Wales all season, but in Paris he backed that up with some superb passing in contact instead of dying with the ball on the deck.

He also made some very timely tackles, denying the French tries on at least two occasions.

Those three can surely start planning their trip to Australia, but it was also very encouraging to see the likes of Gough and Martyn Williams advance their cause by doing so much hard graft up front.

Before the game I had said I wanted to see Wales play with far more style and panache, and that's exactly what they did.

After a very nervy first 25 minutes it was a devastating second- half display, full of confidence and conviction which exposed the frail self-belief of the French at present.

I think the conclusion to be drawn is that Wales are nowhere near as bad a side as the one we saw thumped by England. That was a dreadful Welsh display on the day and an inspired English one.

In Paris, pride was restored and it made for a marvellous reward for the thousands of travelling fans. The important thing now is to maintain that momentum when Wales go to Rome in a fortnight.

With the Ireland match now unlikely until the autumn, more impressive displays by Welsh boys could mean plenty of seats on the plane for Oz.