We did it! Wales won European rugby's grand slam today - our nation's third grand slam in eight seasons.
Wales beat France 16-9 in a tense decider in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. The team were magnificent, especially Dan Lydiate, who tackled heroically throughout.
I was nervous this morning ahead of the game, as the Guardian' sport section cover carried the banner headline, "Is this the greatest ever Wales side?". It felt like a question best asked after victory had been secured. I should have had more faith.
We're living through a golden era in Welsh sport. The Wales rugby team is our best since the Seventies glory days - and may, as the Guardian and others suggest, be about to out-do the feats of that golden age. Swansea City are doing Wales proud as the nation's first team in neighbouring England's Premier League. And Cardiff City have narrowly lost two Wembley finals in five seasons - its first Wembley cup finals since the 1920s.
It is, indeed, an extraordinary coincidence that the two Welsh rugby grand slams in the Gatland era coincided with Cardiff City's Wembley appearances. That was the factor that gave me hope that today would be a triumph not a searing disappointment. (Well, that and the extraordinary resilience and maturity of this young side.)
Wales's best ever national rugby team? As Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards will be the first to point out, that title depends on success against Southern hemisphere rivals. Wales will earn their crown when they're celebrating success against South Africa, Australia and above all New Zealand. I wouldn't bet against this squad under Gatland and Edwards.
PS: it was so poignant for Wales to win the grand slam two days after the death of 1970s Wales legend Mervyn Davies - Merv the Swerve. Davies captained Wales to grand slam glory in 1976. Months later, he retired after suffering a brain haemorrhage in a Welsh cup semi-final. Today's success followed a minute's silence to remember and honour my childhood hero.
Comments