The Luck of the Welsh Rugby Team

In 2005, Wales came from nowhere to win the VI Nations, famously with their first Grand Slam since the seventies. It was a wonderful performance which warmed the heart of every watching Welshman (and I have always counted myself among that happy throng). However, if we are honest, it has to be admitted that they were lucky. Lucky that the English were clueless and that the French were, well, French. They were good value for the victories in both games but either could have gone the other way. They then came up against a poor and rudderless Scottish side, a declining Irish side and an Italian side on their way up, but who have not made it yet. Probably, the Welsh peaked at the right time, playing their type of rugby very well, but one that nobody was really prepared for, and with a superb spirit to the side.

And then.... it all went wrong. Did they use up their luck in 2005 such that in 2006 they were repaying their debt to the fates? Take the injury
list: even England or New Zealand, with a much larger pool of top talent to pick from, would have struggled losing so many of their first choice players. Wales have lost all the following 19 players during or before the tournament (* marks their Lions contingent):

Backs:
Gareth Thomas (last 3 matches)*
Shane Williams (v Ireland)*
Gareth Cooper (last 4 matches)*
Kevin Morgan (tournament)
Tom Shanklin (tournament)*
Ceri Sweeney (last 4 matches)
Chris Czekaj (not in contention)

Forwards:
Chris Horsmann (tournament)
Iestyn Thomas (tournament)
Luke Charteris (tournament)
Brent Cockbain (tournament)*
Jonathan Thomas (first 2 games)
Ryan Jones (tournament)*
Gareth Delve (first game)

The suspensions:
Ian Evans (lock, banned for first 2 games)
Gavin Henson (centre, banned for first 2 games)
Daffydd Jones (flanker, banned for first 2 games)

The retirements:
Sonny Parker (has already been named in the VI Nations squad)
Robin McBryde (forced by injury)

Additionally, the soap opera and pressure-cooker (to overdo the cliches) that is Welsh rugby have thrown up the following:

1. arguments over Gavin Henson's book which was over-critical of some of his colleagues


2. team selection compromised by Sonny Parker's retirement after being selected in the VI Nations squad


3. a spat between the players and Graham Thomas, ghost author of Henson's book, culminating in the players refusing to attend a press conference


4. the alleged split between the players and Mike Ruddock, lack of confidence shown in the coach by the players, and lack of support for the coach from the WRU


5. the WRU appointing a temporary coach who is unlikely to stay in the country after April


6. the WRU annoying their next candidate for (Gareth Jenkins of Llanelli) such that he is no longer interested in the job


7. Henson getting more known for his girlfriend and tan than his skills.. Is he bigger than the team?


8. Refereeing decisions (i.e., Dawson and Dallaglio's tries) vs England, in a game that we should have lost, but not by that much


9. the state of the Millennium Stadium pitch (OK, better than last year)


10. a series of good players losing form at the same time (Gethin Jenkins, Mefin Davies, Rhys Williams)

Why the injuries? Why the suspensions? Why the run of bad luck?

Is there a problem with the players' fitness?
Is there a problem with the players' discipline?
Is there a problem with the players' attitudes?

It was only one Grand Slam - there's more work to do to get Wales where they should be!