Cardiff Evening News cuttings

Below are a selection of my cuttings from the Cardiff Evening News, the fictional paper (with factual content) on which we have honed our journalism skills over the past few months.

My personal highlight was an interview with Bleddyn Williams (above), captain of Wales and the Lions in the early 50s and, in 1953, captain of the last Welsh team to beat the All Blacks. I had the honour of sitting next to him for the climax of this year's Welsh Grand Slam against France.

The Welsh team is sponsored by Brains and the nation is partial to a drink so it was no surprise that a Grand Slam brought record sales for local pubs (below).


Cardiff & Co., the company charged with promoting Cardiff, launched a new logo. We decided to do a for and against feature on it (above). In the diary section is also a small story I found about seagulls attacking PCSOs.

A Friday edition meant plenty of sporting previews. Here is one for the Cardiff Blues v Munster in the Magners League (below).


A Blues v Leinster preview (above) and a feature on George Evans, a 70-something table tennis champion who once knocked Kevin Keegan off the back page of the Hamburg Bild (below).


A women's football reunion (above) and uncovering extortionate park and ride charges for the National Eisteddfod. Such schemes had been a big success in previous years in other Welsh towns and cities - because they were free.


Experience of a public inquiry into a butcher whose lack of cleanliness caused the biggest ever outbreak of E.coli in Britain and the death of a young boy (above).

Mike Atherton branded Cardiff's Sophia Gardens "a joke" during his Test commentary on England v New Zealand. Glamorgan cricket captain and former England cricketer Matthew Maynard stood up for the redeveloped ground (below).


Both ends of the sporting scale - An interview with Welsh full back Lee Byrne during the Six Nations (above) and a preview of Dody Constantinou's trip to Chicago to compete in the hairdressing World Cup (below). Completing my quota for this particular production day was attendance at a talk on climate change at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay by the Welsh Assembly's Sustainability Committee (below).


Interview with Gethin Jenkins on his anticipated tussle with Irish stalwart John Hayes ahead of Wales's bid to win the Triple Crown at Croke Park (above - bottom left). A million miles away from Croke park are the pitches of Pontcanna Fields. But this piece (below) broke news of a £390,000 investment.


The Cardiff Devils' goalkeeper Phil Osaer returned from injury and spoke to Sarah Garrod and me about him, the club and talk of takeovers (above) while Blues and Wales' outside-half Nicky Robinson talked up his race to be fit for the Blues' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse and life after rugby.


A feature behind the scenes at the Millennium Stadium including interviews with the conductor of the pre-match choirs, Hadyn James, and the stadium's hawk handler, Phillipa Hawkins. You couldn't make it up (above).

Short piece from an interview with former Welsh captain and record try-scorer Gareth Thomas on Shane Williams closing in on his 40-try record (below).

Wales v Italy preview following a press conference with Warren Gatland at the Welsh training base in the Vale of Glamorgan (above).

The latest twist in the Welsh nation's "obsession" with the number 10 shirt. Gatland chose to announce his team for the Ireland match on a Tuesday, three hours before our deadline. That'll be the back page sorted then and ensure a speedy drive back from the Vale (above).

On our first production day I was the editor and, the night before, the Cardiff Blues had a behind-closed-doors vote on the future of the club. We chased the outcome and the financials being discussed and eventually our persistence (in particular that of our reporter Chris Cousens) paid off (above). I include it as a good reminder to just make one more phone call on every job in future.

There was Crown Court duty too. I had a lovely tale of a man charged with murdering his lover. After two hours of discussing the admissibility of evidence they allowed his ex-wife to testify, the headline says it all (below).


A spot of boxing on a young prospect in Cardiff (above - bottom left) and an interview with Rhys Williams, part of the 2005 Grand-Slam-winning Welsh side (below).

Death of the long ball at Rovers

Back-page piece in today's Bristol Evening Post after a chance encounter with Bristol Rovers' director of football Lennie Lawrence.

Please excuse the layout problems on the website link. Out of my control.

Holloway coming home to Rovers

Piece for the Bristol Evening Post's Green 'Un sport supplement.

Ian Holloway, the former Bristol Rovers’ player/manager and notorious post-match entertainer who had three spells at the club, is coming back to Bristol.

Holloway is taking time out as manager of Leicester City to attend a charity quiz organised by current Rovers’ goalkeeper Steve Phillips. The shot stopper has organised the quiz to raise money for cancer-sufferer Mike Lewis and Holloway has agreed to be the guest of honour.

The Rovers’ legend made more than 450 appearances as a player and managed Rovers in more than 250 matches in a total of 13 years at the club. During a break in the evening he will talk about his career and field questions from the audience on his life so far, including no doubt a number of his infamous quotes.

Mr Lewis, a former commercial manager at Rovers from their Eastville days, and his son helped Phillips raise almost £10,000 last year for SANDS, the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society, and Jamie Cooper, a soldier injured in on while serving in Iraq.

Phillips said: “Without their efforts, the sum raised would have been far less. We raised in excess of £3,000 at a quiz night, and that was all down to their hard work. All I did was turn up with some members of our first-team squad.

“Mike is now suffering from cancer and has already been undergoing chemotherapy, and faces a major operation in the near future.

“He’s likely to be off work for a very long time, and I’d like to help him as much as I can because he’s a top bloke.”

Phillips is conscious there are many people suffering from cancer but believes Mike deserves special attention. He said: “What many people may be unaware of is that Mike has raised in excess of £100,000 for different charities over the last thirty years, and I think that now he needs some help, we should rally round.

“I’m sure that when he knows there are so many people willing to help him, it will aid his recovery.”

Bush and Troy from GWR will host the evening, to be held at Jury’s Hotel, Bristol, on April 2 at 7pm. “Mike Lewis and his son are compiling the questions for the quiz, though unfortunately Mike won’t be able to be there on the night because of his illness,” said Phillips. “However, his son will be there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and no doubt [Bush and Troy] will add their own brand of humour to proceedings.

“We already have some raffle prizes that have been given to us and there will be some quality sporting items in the auction, but if any individual, or company, would like to donate any other items I would love to hear from them.

“I am delighted that Ian Holloway has agreed to be with us on the evening and I hope that Bristol Rovers supporters will turn out in their numbers to support the event to raise funds for Mike Lewis.”

Mr Lewis said: “I was completely surprised when I heard about the benefit night. I am much more comfortable doing things for other people, something I have tried to do down the years for a wide variety of charities and individuals.

“I will push any negativity to the back of my mind and simply say a big thank you to Steve and Bristol Rovers FC, particularly Ian Holtby and Keith Brookman.

“I remain fully convinced that there is not a better football club in the country. I am totally humbled.”

Tickets are £10 per person (quiz teams of four) and are available from Pirate Leisure along with information on how to donate prizes.

Barr banking on aid to break into big time

Piece for the Bristol Evening Post.

A young motocross rider from Bristol who juggles bricklaying with competing for Great Britain is chasing the dream of a professional career.

Clinton Barr, 21, of Patchway, Bristol is set to ride for his country in this year’s European Championships but cannot compete at the highest level on a regular basis unless he turns professional.

Barr’s current bike and competition rota costs him around £23,000 and the largely self-funded rider cannot afford to stretch to the £80,000-plus burden of riding professionally.

His mechanic and agent, Adam Williams, said: “To go to professional level in this sport you need a big sponsor. [Barr] is a bricklayer in the week and goes to compete for Great Britain on the weekends. He has not got the recognition he deserves as he is only able to train in the evenings and relies on his natural ability.

“In the last three years he’s had a 7th, 5th and 5th place in the British Championships and came 5th in the Euros. Now he needs to be able to train and ride every single day.”

Barr lies second in the AMCA British Open Superclass Championship and is in with a chance of victory in the two-round competition when he returns to the track on April 6 at Whiteway Barton, Kingsteignton, Devon.

Williams said: “He’s second at the moment so he’s definitely in with a chance of the podium but he could well win it.”

Potential sponsors should contact Adam Williams on 07931810583.

Rovers' captain taking the long view

Footballers generally say they only have their eyes on the next game. But Bristol Rover’s captain is taking a long view.

Stuart Campbell has just started his coaching badges and is studying part-time alongside teammate Craig Hinton in Yeovil.

“It’s important to have something for when you can’t play professionally any more,” said the 30-year-old captain who joined Rovers from Grimsby in 2004.

Hinton, also 30, who has just signed a 12-month contract extension to keep him at Rovers next season, was equally realistic. “When you are younger you think you can play forever,” he said. “But when you get to our age you realise, sadly, that you can’t.”

Before heading off into coaching both players are looking forward to tasting further success with Rovers following last season’s promotion. But they are equally in the dark as to where Rovers will be playing next season while the Memorial Stadium is being redeveloped.

“Everyone thinks we know everything, but we are the last to know,” said Campbell. “We didn’t even know we’d signed two players (Wayne Andrews and Jeff Hughes) till we were stood with Lennie (Lawrence) at the bar when we came in. The fans probably know more about it than us.

“We’re doing our coaching badges with the Yeovil lads. It’s about an hour-and-a-half down there so it’s quite far.

“Cheltenham’s quite far as well but it’s a cracking surface to play on. I’m not really bothered. Whichever has the nicest pitch. “I don’t want to bleat on about it but the Memorial Stadium pitch isn’t up to scratch. It’s one of those things we have to adapt to and we will.”

Rovers 'look like scoring' - Martinez

Post-match interview with Roberto Martinez at the Liberty Stadium.

Paul Trollope’s Bristol Rovers “look like scoring” according to League One’s leading manager, Swansea boss Roberto Martinez.

The Pirates may not have been winning recently but their 2-2 performance against the league leaders has drawn distinguished plaudits from Martinez.

The Spaniard was impressed by Rovers’ first-half show on Easter Monday and was quick to praise Paul Trollope’s side. He said: “Bristol Rovers went out and tried to win it from the first minute which is something new at the Liberty Stadium.

“We knew how strong they are as a team. We only played them six days ago so we know, exactly.”

Martinez saw his side trailing 2-0 before half time, a record first-half deficit at the Liberty Stadium this season.

And the Spanish boss, who is set to guide Swansea into the Championship, singled out the two goal scorers as the team’s leading lights.

“Lambert has got that quality, if he gets a chance he’ll score,” said Martinez.“I thought Disley understood really well his role because, obviously, he played off Lambert.

“I think they made it an extra man in midfield playing 4-5-1 where Disley created a lot of problems when he got in to the box late and that’s his strength.”

Rovers’ attackers were not the only ones to catch the attention of the Swansea manager. “The back four were strong and resolute throughout the first half,” he said. “The goalkeeper had a great day and can be very happy just to concede two goals with the amount of chances we created.”

Steve Phillips somehow kept Rovers in the match with a string of fine saves in the second half. “I think it was 22 attempts in the whole game and that’s a great performance,” said Martinez. “We got a great derby and full credit to Bristol Rovers in the way they approached the game.

“Bristol Rovers, every time they were in our last third they looked like scoring and that’s disappointing from our point of view. Credit to Bristol Rovers."

Lambert enjoying life as lone star

Piece in the Bristol Evening Post.

Rickie Lambert is revelling in his role as a lone striker and hopes Paul Trollope’s latest tactic will prompt a final burst of goals to fire Bristol Rovers up the table.

Lambert set himself a target of 20 strikes for the season and hit his 16th against Swansea City on Easter Monday in the Pirates’ 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium.

Rovers are on the road again this Saturday to take on Yeovil and Lambert is looking forward to finding the net once more to banish memories of a barren spell lasting more than a month.

The Liverpudlian striker last scored in the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton on February 16, his birthday. It was a memorable 84th-minute winner which earned Rovers a place in the quarter-finals but he has struggled to find the net since.

“It was a big relief”, said Lambert. “I’ve been a bit frustrated lately with my performances. Luckily I’ve scored one today. I went through a couple of challenges and luckily enough it dropped perfectly for me so I just put my head down and hit it.

“I hope to have one more burst at the end of the season. That’s kind of the way my career goes. Have a little burst and score a few goals every now and again and hopefully I’ve got one more burst left in me.”

Trollope opted to shake up Rovers’ formation at the Liberty Stadium in a bid to shake off their FA Cup hangover and will now look to the Yeovil match to end a run of five games without a win since the 5-1 defeat to West Brom.

Lambert found himself as a lone man up front in Wales as opposed to playing in his usual, deeper role. “It is a bit different and I’m enjoying it,” said the 26-year-old. “There’s a lot of closing down and running and not getting the ball. But when I did get the ball I thought I did ok with it, especially in the first half.

“I think the formation really worked for us. We went two goals up, it could have been more actually, and then went into half time confident and all credit to Swansea."

Swansea’s second-half comeback gave the Pirates’ a test which will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season, starting at Yeovil. A win at Huish Park would see Rovers leap-frog them in the League One table.

“First-half attacking and second-half defensively gives the lads a boost for the rest of the season,” said Lambert who worked his socks off for 78 minutes before being replaced by Byron Anthony. “It was a blur, I was knackered, I was absolutely gone.

“I’m not bothered about getting to 20 as long as we’re picking up points and start winning. That’s all that matters.”

Fit again Elliott wants wins

Back page of the Bristol Evening Post.

Bristol Rovers’ Steve Elliott has called on his teammates to kick on from their draw against Swansea and get their first win in seven games at Yeovil on Saturday.

The 29-year-old defender made a return to first-team action this week at the Liberty Stadium after nearly three months out with a knee ligament injury and is eager to help Rovers’ get back on track.

“It’s been frustrating, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Elliott of his injury lay-off. “I wasn’t fit enough, I wasn’t ready. Although we were not playing too badly things weren’t quite going our way.”

Elliott was a pivotal part of the Pirates’ defence which withstood a ferocious Swansea comeback to take a point off the league leaders. And he expects the experience will strengthen the resolve and ambition of Paul Trollope’s team.

“Hopefully this result now will kick us on and we’ll get a few more wins before the end of the season and start getting up the table,” he said. “It was a good game to come back to and I think we were a little disappointed at the end.

"Looking at the grand scheme of things I suppose we would have taken a point but we were 2-0 up and let it slip so I’m a little disappointed from a defensive point of view.

“They are a handful and they’re probably the best we’ve played against this season and that’s why they’re top of the league.

“It was a test and we couldn’t quite do it in the end but we gave it our best shot and that certainly boosted my fitness that second half.

“We are proud of our defending. We’re proud with the effort and commitment and we’re back in the right direction and hope to get a win next weekend.”

With nine games to play, Elliott is conscious Rovers need to start taking three points from their opponents if they are to safeguard their League One status.

“They’re all big games now until the end of the season,” he said. “We don’t want to be dragged into it. We’ve got games in hand but we need to get them wins under our belts and start looking up the table and building for next season.”

Klein-Davies set to stay

Short piece in the Bristol Evening Post.

Josh Klein-Davies is set to sign a new contract and extend his stay at Bristol Rovers, days after netting his first goal for the club.

Manager Paul Trollope handed the 18-year-old striker his first start against Huddersfield on Saturday and his decision was rewarded with a goal.

In turn, the former Robins player, who crossed the city last summer, has been rewarded with a contract for next season.

Klein-Davies said: “I think I’ve shown I can do well and hopefully it’s the start of something for me. I’m in talks, an offer is there and I think I’ll take it.”

Swansea v Bristol Rovers

On the whistle match report from the Liberty Stadium.

Coca Cola League One
Swansea City v Bristol Rovers
Monday March 24, kick off 5.45pm

Bristol Rovers shook Swansea City by taking a 2-0 lead in their second Severnside derby in seven days before being pegged back for a draw by the league leaders.

Rickie Lambert and Craig Disley had Rovers’ travelling support in dreamland, firing the Pirates to a 2-0 first-half lead which could have been doubled had they taken all of their chances.

But Swansea showed just why they are top of the table with a second-half comeback that should have seen them claim all three points in a scintillating game in front of the Sky cameras at the Liberty Stadium.

Paul Trollope shuffled his pack to shake off Rovers’ FA Cup hangover of four losses in their last five outings, adopting a 4-4-1-1 formation with Lambert as the lone striker and Disley offering support from deep. It was a ploy which effectively left Swansea facing a five-man barrier in the centre of the pitch.

The home side’s lead at the top of the table was cut to four points before kick off with Carlisle’s 2-0 win over Northampton and Rovers’ fans feared a repeat of last week’s 2-0 defeat as the Swans sought to preserve their lead at the top of the table.

Swansea still have to travel to Brunton Park in what could turn out to be an unlikely title decider, leading Roberto Martinez to declare his side have “four finals” at the Liberty Stadium to ensure they finish top.

This game, their first final, went badly wrong when, against the run of play, Lambert drew first blood with a fine left-foot drive into the bottom corner of Dorus de Vries’ net after a mix up by the Swans’ defence 20-yards out.

The “basic errors” Trollope referred to after the Pirates’ home loss to Huddersfield had almost come back to haunt them as early as the second minute. Andy Robinson cut the ball inside from the right to Leon Britton who fed Darren Pratley, unmarked on the edge of Rovers’ penalty box. But the Swansea midfielder dragged his shot just wide of the left post. Instead of trailing, Rovers found themselves savouring their surprise lead.

Within 20 minutes Bristol could have been three ahead. Campbell whipped in a corner to the back post and Steve Elliott had a stooping header parried away for another set piece. Right-back Danny Coles hit the inside of the post from the second delivery and again de Vries managed to clear for another corner. At the third attempt the Swans escaped further punishment.

Trollope, in his tracksuit, might not cut the dashing figure of Martinez on the touchline but he had his team playing like the play-off contenders they were before their recent slump in form.

And before the half-hour mark Lambert almost doubled their lead, narrowly wide with a diving header after David Pipe whipped in a cross from the right.

Minutes later Rovers’ captain, Stuart Campbell, played a weighted ball through the Swans defence who stepped up for offside. The Swansea fans could only look on in horror as Disley carried on his run, the linesman’s flag stayed down, and Disley coolly slotted home to give Rovers a surprise 2-0 lead.

Rovers’ five-man midfield barrier continued to frustrate the Swans for the rest of the half and they lacked the legs to break them down. Chris Lines and left back Aaron Lescott drew yellow cards for their tackling in a stoic all-round performance.

Martinez clearly had words at half time and signalled his intent replacing central midfielder Pratley with a fourth forward, Daryll Duffy. Within five minutes Britton tested Philips from the edge of the box and Scotland mopped up from six yards to spark Swansea into life.

The Rovers’ midfield went awol, unable to cope with Swansea’s transformation. The home side hammered Steve Philips’ goal in a 15-minute barrage during which Rovers did well not to concede.

Philips made a chain of fine saves from five corners but was almost shown up when he punched the sixth clear in a confident charge out of his own six-yard box only for Duffy to hit an almost perfect lob in the direction of the Bristol net.

As Rovers categorically failed to handle the pace and attacking verve of a rejuvenated Swansea side, Trollope was forced to make a change. He sought to fight fire with fire, bringing on Lewis Haldane for Sean Rigg and switching to 4-4-2.

Britton continued to feed the Swans’ Ferrie Bodde time and again though but Philips remained a match for his efforts when the body of Steve Elliott didn’t block the shots first.

With 15 minutes remaining Trollope was forced to rethink again, reverting back to 4-5-1 and bringing on Byron Anthony in place of Lambert to sit in front of, and bolster, the back four.

But nothing could stop the Swansea tide and Scotland stole his second of the night, his 28^th of the season, with a sensational, 18-yard curler 10 minutes from the final whistle.

In added time Philips was forced into three further match-saving saves as, somehow, Rovers held out for a well-earned, if fortuitous, draw in an extraordinary game of two halves.

Swansea City: de Vries, Austin, Tate (c), Bodde (Tudur-Jones 81’), Britton, Pratley (Duffy 45’), Scotland, Lawrence, Robinson, Rangel, Butler. Subs not used: Bauza, Way, Knight.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Lescott, Hinton, Coles (Klein-Davies 80’), Elliott, Pipe, Disley, Campbell (c), Lines, Lambert, Rigg (Haldane 70’). Subs not used: Anthony, Williams, Walker.

Ref: M Dean

Att: 15,048

FAW in touch with Dave Jones

Dave Jones may have branded the Football Association of Wales as being out of touch but Welsh football’s governing body could shortly be in touch with him.

The Cardiff City boss was incensed after an FAW disciplinary committee refused to overturn a three-match ban for veteran striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink following the Dutchman’s aerial challenge on Colchester’s goalkeeper last weekend. And yesterday afternoon Jones accused the three-man panel of lacking football experience.

“Who are the people making the decisions?” said Jones. “I bet they haven’t kicked a ball in 50 years. The decision makes no sense and the process needs to be looked at. They’re committee members and committee members know nothing about football.”

Whether his comments will be heeded is to be seen but his outburst has not been overlooked by the FAW and the Bluebirds’ boss could find himself in front of a panel of his own.

FAW press officer Ceri Stennett said: “If people come out and make statements in public press conferences, as they have, it can result in disciplinary action. If the FAW were to proceed then they will take their normal course and review the matter when the office is open again after Easter.”

“There are no professional footballers on the FAW council. Some of them played football at the start of their careers in the game but in general, no. The whole point is, that is not the way the FAW Council is run. The committees are formed with people from across the FAW who have worked in football for many years.

“I know that that was one of the main thrusts of what Dave Jones said but at the end of the day the FAW are the people who run the game in Wales. Whether people like it or not that is how it is.”

Maynard bats back at Athers

Glamorgan cricket manager Matthew Maynard today hit back at former England captain Mike Atherton following comments that Glamorgan’s redeveloped ground is “a joke”.

Atherton surprised Welsh cricket fans last week while commentating on England’s One Day Test against New Zealand.

When reference was made to the size of the cricket ground in Hamilton, New Zealand, and the number of fans in attendance, Atherton didn’t mince his words.

He said: “I wouldn’t get too precious about coming here because we’re sending the Australians to Cardiff in 2009. It shows a complete lack of ambition that you’re putting on an Ashes Test match in a ground that’s going to hold 12 or 15,000 people. It’s a joke.”

His outburst follows the decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2006 to stage one of England’s 2009 Ashes Test matches against Australia in Cardiff. Glamorgan’s ground in Sophia Gardens, Riverside, was chosen ahead of Old Trafford and Durham’s Riverside stadium.

Maynard, who played for England in the 1992 Ashes series, was unimpressed and leapt to the defence of the ground which has undergone a £9.5m redevelopment. He said: “It’s just sad really for someone who captained the country to come out with those comments.”

“I don’t know if he has been down to see the SWALEC stadium, but it’s a magnificent Test venue and something to be proud of.”

The Welsh-born former England batsman confirmed tickets for England’s one-day encounter with South Africa in September at the SWALEC stadium are selling like hot cakes. A full house is expected to greet the side which represents England and Wales.

Prospective Labour councillor for Riverside and life-long cricket fan Mark Drakeford was another to give short shrift to Atherton’s remarks. He said: “I doubt it will have escaped notice that Mr Atherton is a former Lancashire captain, and that Old Trafford lost out to Cardiff for the Ashes Test.

“Wales has an excellent track record, in the post-devolution era, of delivering major building projects on budget and on time. The new Sophia Gardens will stand comparison with Test venues across the world.

“Local residents have a direct interest in making sure that the event is properly managed, and its impact on daily life is minimised, but no-one will want the Test Match to be anything but a huge success for Cardiff and for Wales.”

"Wales can beat the All Blacks"

The man who last led Wales to victory over the All Blacks believes Warren Gatland and his Grand-Slam-winning Welsh side can end a 55-year losing streak against them this Autumn.

Bleddyn Williams, MBE, who captained Wales to a 13-8 win over the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park in 1953, was filled with pride when tries by his namesakes, Shane and Martyn, sealed the 2008 Grand Slam for Wales. And he is confident this Welsh team can go on to greater things.

“They were simply brilliant today,” said the 85-year-old after the game. “Their defence was immense. They tackled magnificently and deserved everything. The number of tackles they put in was just great. They didn’t give the French a chance.

“Warren Gatland and that rugby-league boy, Shaun Edwards, have done an excellent job. I am very proud of them.

“The exciting thing is it is such a young team. They can definitely challenge this summer and compete with the best. And yes, in November, when New Zealand come to play in front of this crowd, I think we can beat them.”

Williams did the double over the All Blacks in their 1953 tour of Wales, captaining both Cardiff then the national side to victory. But he was quick to point out this result belonged to another era.

“You can’t compare the side I played in with the one now. There have been so many rule changes. These rolling mauls are so boring, I don’t understand it. And we didn’t have any coaches back then, we coached ourselves.”

The former centre won 22 caps for Wales and five test caps for the Lions on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. He said: “I wish I could have been out there today. It is a special day for Welsh rugby. These boys are good, very good indeed and I am very pleased for them.”

Wales have not beaten the All Blacks in 19 encounters since Williams’ win in 1953. They lost their last match against them 45-10 in November 2006 at the Millennium Stadium.

Behind the scenes at the Millennium

On Saturday, 15 men in red shirts will run out from the tunnel of the Millennium Stadium chasing a Grand Slam victory over France. Andy Sloan goes behind the scenes to find out what it takes to put on a match at the Millennium.

The centrepiece of the Cardiff skyline dominates the capital, a symbol of the sporting passion of the Welsh nation. On Six Nations’ match days 74,500 people flock to the Welsh Mecca and thousands more congregate in the pubs and bars on its doorstep.


Affectionately known as “the Millennium”, it was built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in place of the old Cardiff Arms Park and towers seven stories with fans seated over three tiers. The stanchions holding the roof spear far higher into the sky.

Its imposing structure comprises 40,000 tonnes of concrete, 12,000 tonnes of structural steel and 4,000 tonnes of reinforcement steel, a veritable cauldron with a bowl volume of 1.5 million cubic metres – equivalent to 36,000 domestic swimming pools.

The Welsh fans fill this space with noise and are famed for their vocal support. But match-day singsong is kick-started by a 100-strong choir conducted by Haydn James.

The 65-year-old conductor has selected, prepared and conducted every choir to grace the Millennium since he was first called upon before the stadium was built.

While the stadium rose from the ground, Wales played their fixtures across the Severn Bridge at Wembley. Mr James (pictured below), conductor of the London Welsh Choir, was invited to provide the pre-match entertainment.


When the Millennium opened, Mr James was asked to continue and was placed in charge of selecting a different choir for each fixture. The Maesteg-born musician usually chooses the winners of the previous year’s National Eisteddfod to perform but youth choirs have also won the honour.

The choirs, backed by the ever-present Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh, with their ceremonial goat, warm up two hours before kick-off in the tunnels underneath the stands.

Against Scotland their rehearsal had to be silenced quickly when the Welsh team bus arrived halfway through a booming rendition of Flower of Scotland.

This year five choirs (400 voices) will be competing before kick-off for the right to sing the anthems as part of S4C’s Codi Canu (Rise up and sing) program. The show has created and followed five choirs, one for each of the regional rugby teams and one from North Wales. While the judges decide the winner there will be a mass medley of Cwm Rhondda, We’ll keep a welcome and Tom Jones’s Delilah.

“What we are all trying to achieve is a great atmosphere,” said Mr James. “Cardiff is unique because the crowd can sing.

“If you go to Twickenham the only song they will sing is Swing Low Sweet Chariot, at Murrayfield it’s just Flower of Scotland. Whereas if you come to Cardiff I will get them singing five or six pieces of music.”

“Delilah is the one which flicks the crowd’s switch. We did it back at Wembley and managed to get Tom Jones out. The atmosphere was electric. Wales beat England [32-31], when Neil Jenkins kicked the winner, and Delilah has taken off ever since then.”

Mr James, who turns his back on the band to conduct the fans when they join in, savours every moment of his time on the pitch.

“It is an immense privilege. There are conductors who would give their top tenors to do what I do. It is an honour. I get goose-pimples.

“When Wales won the Grand Slam in 2005 it was magic and I think it is going to be the same on Saturday. The whole aim of what we do is to lift the crowd and get the crowd behind the team. When it works there is no better feeling like it. I have been fortunate to do lots of things but this takes some beating.

“I have had people like Alan Phillips (Wales team manager) come on to me and say: ‘get this crowd going today’. The atmosphere and the singing will give Wales that edge.”

Another feature which adds to the atmosphere is the fully retractable roof, the only one of its kind in the UK. Some 20 shiploads of steel were imported via Cardiff Docks to create the cover for the stadium along with 212,520km of tendons and 200,000 nuts and bolts.

The roof takes 20 minutes to open or close and, contrary to popular belief, the decision to protect the pitch and the players from the elements costs only £2.54.

The problem with an open roof in a city by the sea is the huge number of seagulls and pigeons in search of a roost.

With a surname like Hawkins it was inevitable Phillipa and her husband Phillip would run a falconry business and they have been keeping the stadium clear of unwelcome residents since it was built.

The pride of their birds, a 20-year-old Harris hawk called Dad, patrols the Millennium for up to 40 hours a week. He is possibly the least demanding employee of the Welsh Rugby Union. His wage is his daily diet - two chicks - and a rat on the weekend.

Dad (pictured with Ospreys' forward Duncan Jones), so-called for fathering all of the couple’s other birds, is now a grandfather but is still the scourge of Cardiff seagulls at the capital’s iconic landmark while his offspring patrol other sites such as the castle.


“The pigeons know he’s there,” said Phillipa. “They used to flock in overnight as they knew when the hawk was going so we had to start mixing up the times he went in there. If we took him out it would build up to thousands of pigeons.”

Dad is not allowed to watch the match but his owners say he would be delighted to spend the day with the fans. “He would love it. It wouldn’t phase him at all,” said Phillipa who counts Shane Williams as her favourite player.

“We have got some eggs this year. If Wales win then one of them might have to be called Shane.” It would be apt given the wing’s nickname – the Welsh flyer.

The fans will fuel their song with 6,500 pies, pasties and sausage rolls and there are 19 public bars to wash down the food. Many of them are fitted with “joy machines” capable of serving 12 pints in 20 seconds.

A full house at the Millennium will drink more in one day than many pubs sell in a year. 760 toilets cope with the consequential demand.

Around a thousand catering staff will serve the likes of President Sarkozy and Prince William on Saturday while 700 stewards will police the punters in the stands. There are only 25 police officers on duty in the ground and arrests are rare at rugby matches.

The changing rooms are kitted out with ice baths for the players to recover in. But after 80 minutes on Saturday they may just be joining their loved ones in the friends and families room with free booze and maybe, just maybe, a Grand Slam title.

If Wales triumph, the 220 journalists and 90 BBC production staff may have to put their drinks on hold and concentrate on chronicling another spectacular event at the Millennium.

Stats:

74,500 seats
40,000 sq metre footprint
25,000 match-day programs sold
1,650 fire alarms
1,131 doors
760 toilets
128 hospitality boxes
17 First Aid rooms
15 bars
6 restaurants
£2.54 to close roof
1 Grand Slam winner

Feel the Byrne

WORLD CUP outcast Lee Byrne has emerged from his bitter disappointment to light up this year’s Six Nations and revealed it is his ability to think inside the box, not outside it, which is behind his, and Wales’s, success.

The 27-year-old Ospreys’ full-back was left out in the cold by Gareth Jenkins last September but is one of a select band to have started every game for Wales in their surprise charge to the Six Nations Grand Slam.

The key, said Byrne, is a change in Welsh tactics. Kiwi-coach Warren Gatland has Wales training, and playing, like his native All Blacks. And they are after their title too - World Beaters.“Go hard or go home” is an infamous New Zealand motto and Gatland has been pushing the Welsh players to new limits in a bid to implement the All Black game plan.

Byrne, as full-back, has been instructed to keep his kicks long and within the confines of the pitch, inviting the opposition to run it back into the embrace of an enlivened Welsh defence.

“Obviously I’m used to kicking it out with the Ospreys so it’s quite different really,” said Byrne, who has spent years honing his range to find touch.

“We’ve been working with Shaun [Edwards] on the line-speed of our boys. We know that if we kick long and teams want to run it back at us there’ll be six men there waiting for them.

“If they want to kick it back it’s going to go to the halfway at minimum, so we’ve got to line up at the halfway. If you look at New Zealand that’s what they do and they’re the best team in the World.”

Underpinning the All Black game is a superior work ethic and Gatland, aided by Edwards, has been enlightening his new charges with new levels of training and fitness.

“When Warren came into the squad he said it’s going to be a hard way of playing, really hard way of playing. Everybody is probably running more now than they have ever done,” said Byrne.

“We’re doing such hard training sessions so that when it comes to the game it’s becoming easier for us. The way we’re playing I don’t think any one is on their feet at the end of the game. That’s the way [Gatland] likes it.”

A stronger, leaner, line-up of Welsh beef enables them to overhaul the opposition in the final minutes of a match. Wales came from behind against England at Twickenham and Ireland at Croke Park, and the knowledge they can grind out results has given the team huge belief.

Byrne echoed Ian Gough’s comments that the post-match dressing room in Ireland was a subdued place to be; a direct result of the new effort levels required. He said: “It was really quiet. Someone said, ‘Cheer up boys we’ve won the Triple Crown!’ I think it is because everyone was absolutely shattered.”

Shattered they were, yet with the Six Nations’ title effectively in the bag there are no illusions the job is complete.

“There’s still one final hurdle to go and that’s the most important one really,” said Byrne. “All these games will mean nothing if we don’t win this one. Everyone knows we’re playing for the Grand Slam and that’s what we want to achieve.

“We’re going out there to win, especially in Cardiff. We want to make it a fortress, the Millennium Stadium. And we want to win the Grand Slam and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The French flattened Wales 37-7 in the run-up to the World Cup and dispensed of “World-beaters” New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in the World Cup quarter final.

But they must win by 20 points or more to wrestle the trophy from the mighty hands of Welsh captain Ryan Jones. And there is no suggestion Jones and his players will settle for anything less than a fifth and final victory.

“They’ve got some great players,” said Byrne on the French. “We can’t get complacent. But we want to win every game.”

Gatland has brought Byrne back into the fold and unleashed Wales on a course to claim a place in the top five teams in the world. According to the former All Black hooker this Welsh team could be, “pretty good in 12 months or two years.”

Next Saturday they could have won their second Grand Slam in four years.

Hayes can still prop up Ireland

Gethin Jenkins has nothing but respect for his opposite number on Saturday, Irish stalwart John Hayes, and refuses to underestimate the threat of the veteran prop.

Hayes is joint second with Brian O’Driscoll on Ireland’s all-time cap list with 82 appearances for the emerald isle, nine short of lock Malcolm O’Kelly.

And at the age of 34 Hayes’s vast experience as Ireland’s most capped prop cannot be discounted. Jenkins is ready for a tough encounter at Croke Park on Saturday when he scrums down with him.

“People say Hayes is one of their weaknesses but with 80 caps he’s the cornerstone of their pack and he’s been the first choice tight-head in Ireland for years and years,” said Jenkins.

“He’s a great player at what he does. He’s a really strong scrummager, he’s a good lifter in the line-out and he’s a massive guy on the field.”

Jenkins and the Welsh forwards have been receiving special treatment from Warren Gatland this week, allowed a lie-in before perfecting their line-outs to counter the play of players like Hayes.

“He’s a massive player for them and he’s a challenge for us,” reiterated Jenkins, who will win his 57th cap on Saturday and is delighted to have reclaimed a starting berth.

“It’s been a tough battle to get my place back after not starting the first two games,” he said. “I’m glad to be back in the team and the pressure’s on now to keep the jersey for the France game.

“We came in Monday and the backs had already been in and I think they’d already been told the team. The forwards came in a bit later to work on our line-outs. [Gatland] does look after the forwards, we’re always in quite late in the morning. In the middle of our line-out session he called us over and let us know the team.”

It is not just the media Gatland has been keeping in the dark with his selection policy.
“I didn’t have a clue to be honest what the team was going to be,” said Jenkins. “I think that’s a good thing because nobody knew coming into training on Monday what the team was. I’m chuffed to be starting.”

Starting is one thing; scoring tries is another. Ryan Jones said this week he didn’t care who scored the tries so long as they kept coming. But Jenkins, who has three to his name since his debut in 2002, confessed: “I’ve given up. I haven’t scored for a season and a half now. I’m always trying for one. I think if you try for 20 you might get one.

The Blues player will settle for simply getting one over on John Hayes and continuing Wales’s rehabilitation. “We’ve come long way from the World cup even though it’s only been three or four months,” he said. “We’ve got to keep building on this because in two games it could all turn round a bit.”

It could turn round a bit, or it could see Wales win Triple Crown and Grand Slam glory, as they did against Ireland in 2005.

Making the best of bad blood

Much has been made of Warren Gatland’s acrimonious relationship with Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan, but Wales’s team manager and selector Alan Phillips has sought to add some focus.

Phillips, a former Lions and Wales hooker, was blunt when asked his thoughts on the spat and whether the pair’s past grievances would be affect the match. “No,” he said. “They’re not playing, are they?”

He was equally to the point when pressed for a response to Rory Best’s comments this week that Wales were yet to be properly tested.

“You didn’t see the England game did you?” said Phillips. “At half time I thought that was a proper test.”

Wales trailed England 16-6 at Twickenham at half time before staging a memorable comeback to banish a 20-year HQ hoodoo, 26-19. Test enough to dismiss Best’s remarks.

Welsh back row Jonathan Thomas said: “He’s entitled to his opinion, but every Six Nations game is a big test, especially away against England.”

Phillips, won 18 Wales caps between 1979-87, made a further seven appearances from the bench and was appointed the Wales team manager in 2002.

He has seen the full gamut of Welsh performances including the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups and the 2005 Grand Slam. But even Phillips has been surprised by Gatland’s impact and managerial style and has been delighted at his handling of the media and their “Welsh obsession”.

“It is the first campaign I have been in where a newspaper has not got the team right,” he said.

If Gatland picks the right team to get the best of Ireland, the Welsh obsession might just ratchet up a notch ahead of Wales’s final encounter against France.

Heads up for Stephen Jones

STEPHEN JONES and Mike Phillips have been given the heads up by Warren Gatland to win the Triple Crown for Wales, a half-back pairing decided by the toss of a coin.

Jones retains the number 10 jersey ahead of James Hook and the inclusion of Ospreys scrum-half Phillips for Dwayne Peel is one of four changes from Wales's record home 47-8 victory over Italy a fortnight ago.

Hooker Huw Bennett and prop Adam Jones are recalled to the front row and lock Alun-Wyn Jones has recovered from his knock against England to bolster the Welsh scrum. Matthew Rees, Duncan Jones and Ian Evans join Peel on the bench.

"It was the toss of a coin," joked a tired-looking Gatland on his third half-back selection, a break from the regional pairings he has relied on so far.

"We talked about the players and we just said James has already produced for us in a big game against England so now the pressure's on Stephen to do the same in a big game against Ireland."

He would not be drawn further other than revealing Peel was still recovering from a knee to the head against Italy and as a result was short of game time.

"Let’s not get obsessed about the two 10s," he said. "They are two quality players. We've made the choice on Stephen Jones for the next game but there could be someone else, could be a different combination against France."

"We had the same debate with the two loose heads. We've two quality players. I don't want to debate it. That's your job. This is the side we are putting out to do a job."

Jones will win his 69th cap at Croke Park on Saturday and was delighted to keep his shirt in what he described as by far the most competitive squad he has been involved in during 10 years at the top.

"I'm very happy. It's a huge game and it's going to be a big challenge, but as a player it's one you look forward to," he said.

"Obviously you hope you get to play and start for your country. I'm really enjoying it. As a player you know exactly where you stand and you can't ask for any more. It's a hugely challenging environment every day. And whether you are in the squad or on the bench you need to know your roles as you are tested constantly in training."

The veteran number 10 is well aware of what is expected of him on Saturday having shaken off the doubters who queried his selection ahead of Hook at last year's World Cup. "If you don't perform well then you're not going to be given the jersey for the next game, it's as simple as that," said Jones.

Phillips is another player who suffered last year but is now flourishing under Gatland. He was told plainly by former coach Gareth Jenkins he was number two behind Peel, yet has put his head down and proved his worth to the new boss.

"I've been very pleased with the way I've been playing and delighted to be given the opportunity to start," said Phillips. "Dwayne's got a little bit more experience than me but perhaps [Gatland] has gone with the player who's a little bit more in form.

"They've given me a fair opportunity to show what I can do. If you play well they reward you."

Jones and Phillips have the chance of further rewards in the form of silverware on Saturday. Wales's last win in Dublin was back in 2000 and was one of only three victories against the Irish in their last 15 encounters.

But Wales are a squad on form, the sort that make their own luck, whichever way the coin falls.

Jones - Croke is just another pitch

RYAN JONES admitted walking out at Croke Park will be a step into the unknown before reminding his players it is no different from any other 100 x 60.

The Welsh captain has led his side to three victories in this year's Six Nations in their best start since the 2005 Grand Slam and thinks they have the desire and the belief to finish the Triple Crown job against Ireland.

"It's going to be tough, but Twickenham was a tough place to go and we managed to win there," said Jones. "There's a lot of guys here who have been through a lot. So we know what it takes and if things are going well it’s only 100 x 60 wherever you play. It's just a pitch at the end of the day."

The Ospreys’ number eight is well aware of the expectancy weighing on the team with silverware at stake and claims individual criticism spurs the team on.

Under Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards the Welsh players have learnt to live or die by their decisions on the field, being rewarded or reprimanded accordingly at each debriefing. "It's not about pointing fingers, it’s about learning from your mistakes.

"The moment you're in trouble is when they stop criticising you because that means they don't care. The next step from there is out. In Wales everybody has got an opinion and they're free to express it," he said.

Jones is equally aware of the euphoria sweeping the country. He said. "I'm speaking to my old man most days. We don't live in a vacuum and we're not going to throw it away. If you earn it, and you deserve it, then you'll get it."

Sir Garry returns to Wales

THE FIRST batsman in history to score 36 from a single over, six consecutive sixes, is returning to Wales where he achieved the landmark moment.

August 2008 is the 40th anniversary of Sir Garfield Sobers’s record score from an over and on June 16 he will be the guest of honour in Cardiff for a celebration dinner.

Sir Garry struck Malcolm Nash – who, with a declaration looming, was experimenting with left-arm spin – for 36 in an over during Nottinghamshire's first innings against Glamorgan in their County Championship match at Swansea in 1968.

The dinner, to be held at the National Cricket Centre, Riverside, has been organised as a fund-raising event by the Cardiff Institute for the Blind.

More than 500 guests will re-live Sir Garry's remarkable feats including his record Test match score of 365 not out in a single innings for the West Indies against Pakistan in the 1957–58 season, a record that stood until 1994.

All but two of the Glamorgan team from the 1968 match will be present and organiser Richard Evans hopes to raise more than £25,000 for the Institute.

He said: “It is an unbelievable coup for us. It came out of the blue from a mutual contact. Sir Garry is 72, he’ll be in the UK for four weeks and this is the only event he will be attending in Wales.

“It will be a very special evening and diners will have the chance to win a bat signed and presented by Sir Garry.”

Tickets are on sale now. For further information contact Richard Evans on richard@cibi.co.uk or 07850 129272.

"Rivers of blood" 40 years on

A reminder of more important issues and outspoken personalities:

On Saturday 20 April, 1968, a right-wing, Conservative MP lit the touch paper on an explosive speech which, in his own words, would create fireworks for some time.

Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of blood” tirade against immigration enraged those working towards improved race relations as well as his own Tory colleagues who knew nothing of his plans. It also ended his political career in Ted Heath’s shadow cabinet.

“How dare I say such a horrible thing?” said Powell. “My answer is that I do not have the right not to do so.”

This answer opened last night’s Radio 4 programme, 1968: Rivers of Blood – The Real Source, by Rob Shepherd.

“As I look ahead I’m filled with fore-boding. Like the Roman I seem to see the River Tiber foaming with much blood,” said Powell, likening 1968’s Race Relations Bill to “a match thrown onto gunpowder.”

Shepherd revisited Powell’s words in a bid to explain the reasoning behind them. Was Powell a racist? Or was he simply reflecting the views of his Wolverhampton constituents? Where did the words come from?

The presenter’s greatest challenge was the shortage of time to recall, understand and explain one of Britain’s most infamous speeches. In 30 minutes he could only ever scratch at the surface of the subject.

The uninitiated listener, agog at the wording of Powell’s speech, was granted precious little chance to explore further one of British politics most written-about individuals before a swift conclusion was arrived at.

Powell spent a number of years in India before its independence from Britain in 1947 and was frightened by what he saw.

He felt immigration would fragment Britain. The creation of ethnic groups would prevent people taking decisions as individual voters and would undermine Britain’s democracy.

Shepherd’s digging through Powell’s old letters revealed he feared this would lead to the bloody violence witnessed in the wake of Indian independence when various minorities fought over power.

“Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad,” said Powell in the speech to Conservative party associates on proposals to allow 50,000 immigrants a year into Britain. “We must be mad, literally mad. It is like watching a nation busily engaged in heaping up its own funereal pyre.”

Powell was sacked from the shadow cabinet by Ted Heath the day after his speech and Shepherd revealed the babysitters for Powell’s daughters that day renounced their friendship with him that very night, having heard the speech. It was a homely insight which could have been expanded on.

But opinion was polarised. Thousands of dockers went on strike in support of Powell under the banner of free speech and he received a number of letters of support. These were his constituents’ views, right or wrong.

Shepherd reminded the listener how Powell had, 10 years earlier, argued bravely against the brutal treatment of Mau Mau suspects in British-ruled Kenya, suggesting his speech was perhaps more politics than racist resolve.

But then the programme was over, leaving the listener calling for more. 40 years on from the “Rivers of blood” speech the words still outrage. Last year Nigel Hastilow, former editor of the Birmingham Post, was removed as a Conservative party candidate after saying in a newspaper column Enoch Powell was right.

Thanks to Shepherd the reasoning behind the words is perhaps a little clearer, if not excusable.