"So, Stace. What's occurin' ?"An extraordinary feast of Welsh rugby is at last over, and we're left to pick over the carcass. The Grand Slams under Ruddock - a cruelly false dawn - and Gatland's first triumphal year apart, the years have not been kind to Welsh rugby fans since Gareth Edwards was feeding the Pontypool front row. Years of frustration - embarrassment, even, when the Saxons were turning up in Cardiff and expecting to win by 30 points. And against the southern hemisphere sides, Wales would be lucky to keep it to fifty.
In recent years, an improving professional set up has allowed us to close the gap with our friends across Offa's Dyke, and we have given touring Tri Nations sides a scare or two. We may have lost 3 games at the 2011 WC, but only by a TOTAL of 5 points. It is a measure of this group's progress that they are flying back feeling disappointed.
Now everyone is talking about Wales and 2015. How sweet would it be to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy at Twickenham ? Could they do it ? Gatland's contract extension is Phase 1. If Edwards could be persuaded to sign a proper full time one that would help too. Their ability to spot and nurture talent has been truly impressive. Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau, George North - would such players have come in and been given an extended chance to show their worth in England ? Would Martin Johnson have picked out a young flank forward to skipper his side ? In the case of Rhys Priestland, the coaches took him to Twickenham to play at full back, but Stephen Jones' injury resulted in his move to the fabled 10 jersey. Gatland saw enough of the young Scarlet in that time to completely change his backline. It was brave, inspired coaching.
But over the next 4 years ( and, indeed, 8 years for a significant number of young men in this Welsh squad) the most important thing has to be a sustaining of these current high standards. Let's keep it "Tidy".
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