Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs Ireland

By Zippy
April 1 2005

My player ratings for Wales in the 32-20 grand slam success over Ireland. My last player ratings for some time, as usual marks out of ten for details read on.

15. K Morgan (8) - So much pace from full back and a real danger when he enters the line, if he stays injury free as I said in my Scotland ratings he will keep the shirt.

14. M Taylor (7) - Came in last minute, as we all knew he's never let anyone down in a Welsh shirt and he wasn't going to start today. No thrills but solid.

13. T Shanklin (8) - Had BOD in his pocket and so strong and big and knows where to hit the hole, has taken his chance in the Welsh side with both hands and should now go on the Lions tour.

12. G Henson (8) - Cool calm and composed, tackled strong as he has all tournament, put over a drop goal to settle the nerves, and the great news is we know there is more to come. Don't wear him out Charlotte!

11. S Williams (8) - Dangerous once again, has become so key for Wales. The tackle on Foley a man over twice his size will boost his confidence in defence.

10. S Jones (9) - MOTM, the Turk Carthorse was my pick as man of the match on Saturday, kept slotting over some difficult shots, a presence in defence and his passing is now pinpoint and gets the backs moving.

9. D Peel (8) - Lively display and put one over on Stringer, in pole position for the Lions 9 jersey.

1. G Jenkins (9) - Easily best loosehead of the championship, people have cited his try but it was so much more than that on Saturday, his loose work was 1st rate and his set piece has really come on.

2. M Davies (6) - He controls the line out and it still was just not good enough.

3. A Jones (7) - Good in the scrum and an unsung hero, so young for a tight head and holding his own against the best, if he gets that bit fitter he's going places.

4. B Cockbain (7) - Hard man did the hard work, another who has been crucial in this championship.

5. R Sidoli (8) - High work rate, the re-emergence of Sid has been great news for Wales in a position in which we lack depth.

6. R Jones (8) - After a poor game vs France he has had two stormers, a big ball carrier and he puts the tackles in as well.

7. M Williams (7) - Quietest game from the player of the tournament, still put the tackles in, if the Lions want a wide game heres your man.

8. M Owen (capt) (8) - Led the side so well in these past two games, great hands and carries, has emerged as a leader.

All in all we avenged last years humiliating defeat with a humiliating defeat of our own, we've taken the grand slam with some of the best rugby I've ever seen.

Credit has to go to Ruddock and to the players who've lifted the mood of the nation.

I've heard it said in many places but lets not let this be the end of it, lets go on to bigger and better.

Now a bit of fun, I was sent this before the game:

The Welsh Lords Prayer 

Our father who art in Millennium,

Hywl be thy name,

Thy grand slam come,

Tries will be done,

By Jones, Peel and Williams,

Give us this day our bread of heaven,

And forgive us our offside,

As we ruck those who trespass against us,

And lead us not into bad discipline,

But deliver us from Ireland,

For Wales is the kingdom,

The Dragon and the Daffodil,

For ever and ever,

Amen.

 

Hope you enjoyed it!!!

 

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