Will Greenwood: Six Nations glory is not a hysterical pipe dream

It’s in your hands: Jonny Wilkinson and Co need to start believing in themselves again

Greenwood was a key member of the 2003 World Cup winners but is now a respected critic, a role that has seen him lumped together with every other ex-player or media type pointing out the deficiencies of the current England coaching and playing set-up.

Johnson has dismissed much of the criticism that followed the defeats by New Zealand and Australia and a scrappy victory over Argentina as "ridiculous" and "hysterical".

However, Greenwood is still concerned by England's lack of attacking flair and guile and is calling for action from the management before the team's next match, against Wales at Twickenham, on 6 February.

"There will be guys coming back from injury by the Six Nations and, with England having Wales and Ireland at home, we have to go in thinking we can win the title," he said.

"The England coaches have to believe this, exude that confidence and get the players looking more comfortable. When you think Jonny Wilkinson, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye and Delon Armitage, you say: 'Yes, come on'.

"This is the most frustrating thing for the older, so-called hysterical players because we look down the squad list in the backs and forwards and ask: 'Why have we looked so ponderous?' There isn't any personal agenda here - it's the frustration being generated.

"This England squad can do well in the Six Nations and we just need something to get us out of our seats. I know rugby is about winning but you need that excitement."

Although Johnson reacted badly to the flak, Greenwood insists criticisms were made for the right reasons.

"I've been in a dressing room when things haven't been going well and it's not nice," said the 37-year-old.

"People are not criticising for fun, it's because we know there is a way out and we want it to come sooner rather than later."

Greenwood will be one of thousands of fans on their feet applauding rugby brilliance at Twickenham tomorrow, when the Barbarians take on New Zealand for the MasterCard Trophy.

While the former Harlequins centre accepts the match is not a "normal" international, he believes England could learn a thing or two from the ambition that will be shown.

Greenwood (right), who scored 31 tries in 55 Tests, said: "England haven't looked comfortable in the clothes they have been wearing as individuals or as a unit.

"There isn't a massive amount of difference in terms of quick ball the various teams have won. However, players like those at Twickenham tomorrow will go for the jugular and it's frightening - their conversion rate of chances created and finished is the most damaging one."

The Barbarians backs include Springbok flyer Bryan Habana, Australian No10 Matt Giteau, All Black wing Joe Rokocoko and Lions centre Jamie Roberts to highlight the talent being unleashed on a New Zealand side that defeated France last weekend.

"November has been a depressing time for Northern Hemisphere teams - Ireland apart - and when I looked at the squad assembled by the Babarians I nearly fell off my chair because it could be the game we have been waiting for in terms of mouthwatering prospects.

"I would pay good money just to train with these guys," added Greenwood.

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Robinson urges fans to fill Murrayfield for Six Nations opener

Andy Robinson says a packed Murrayfield would help support Scotland in their opening Six Nation’s game against France.

Scotland’s head coach Andy Robinson is hopeful that fans will pack out Murrayfield and show support for their country as the Six Nations kicks off in February with Scotland's opening game against France.

Despite being disappointed with the result at last weekend’s Test match against Argentina, Robinson believes the foundations of the team are now in place as they look towards the 2010 tournament.

“Disappointed to end up at 9-6,” he said. “I thought we controlled the game pretty well in the first half – didn’t take the opportunities that we created.” He added: “It is about being able to control the game throughout the whole 80 minutes.

“We have to work hard in every game we play and we have the ability to beat anybody on the day.” He added: “But overall, I’m pleased with the fact that we have won two games and we are in a position to win the third.”

Despite beating Fiji and Australia in the recent autumn Tests, Robinson is now focused on getting the team to be more clinical in their approach and plans to work on four main areas over the coming months.

“I think we need to improve right across the board,” he said. “Leadership has gone well but again we are looking for that to improve in the next couple of months, individual skills, the fitness of players, the game understanding. So that will be the four areas that we are targeting.”

Despite acknowledging the need to work on key aspects of the game, the Scotland coach says his team will enter the biggest competition in northern-hemisphere rugby with belief.

“We should be confident going into that, we have got belief amongst the squad.” He added: We are not fearing anybody but it is about having a huge start against France and having a Murrayfield crowd that are there ready to support the team and get behind the team.”

Scotland’s Six Nations opener will take place at Murrayfield on Sunday February 7, 2010 at 15.00

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England Rugby – 2009 End of Year Review

Martin Johnson and his men are having all manner of inquisitions delivered against them. Unfortunately for England, lack of victories is giving their critics endless ammunition, as is the manner of their technique.

Rob Andrew has come out and stated there has been some improvement with England’s performances. On the surface of it, this is true.

The margins of defeat were narrower than they were in 2008, and while some would argue the quality of the opposition may have been stellar, it wasn’t as if it was a first-choice England test XV.

Or was it?

The initial reaction is that if improvement has been made, then where are the wins, or at least, why hasn’t it been evident in the performances on the park? Early rejoinder from the “passionate” England public is that it is not so much about progress at this stage.

It is more about admitting that everything is not well.

Johnson, the former 2003 World Cup winning captain, has also come out and stated that the backroom team within the England camp are safe.

In essence, this has become the “party line” of the England management camp. Much of the same was said last year. They insist that the performance curve is on the up, and that the implementation and development of the long-term plan is on track.

Perhaps, but if it is about meeting the Key Performance Indicators on the Strategic plan (implemented in September) then the Rugby Football Union has a hell of a lot of work to do.

It states that Johnson and England should be aiming to win at least four of the next eight Six Nations titles, two of them by Grand Slam, as well as achieving a two-from-three success ratio against the Tri Nations teams.

If there is a long-term plan, should not sights be set with more realism?

The above achievement wish list is something that the RFU should have set the day after Martin Johnson hoisted up the William Webb Ellis trophy. But unfortunately for England, that lack of foresight is very much indicative of their sporting approach.

The same ugly picture corresponded with the England cricket team, who were on top of the world after a stunning Ashes victory in 2005.

Amidst the celebrations, there was precious little focus on reviewing how they upset possibly the strongest test cricketing team the world had ever seen.

But when they were thumped 5-0 in Australia and had a poor World Cup, English cricket then commissioned the Schofield report.

Analysing the problems when it all goes to s*** is a pretty good thing, but an even better tactic would be working out why it is all going so well, and trying to maintain the progress.

This is probably the biggest issue for England rugby and for their supporters.

It has gone very well, and only just recently.

England six years ago were the dominant rugby power on the planet. The most incriminating aspect of it all is the fact that the RFU, the players and the overall set up had worked out how to climb up to and remain on the summit.

But since then little maintenance has been performed.

The so called “work in progress” has been in place for years now.

England, the fourth nation to win a World Cup, were the dominant team in world rugby in a glorious three-year period between 2001 and 2003 where they played 37 games for 34 wins (91.9 percent), an age that included four Wallaby scalps, three Springbok wins, and two All Black victories.

In the five years since then, England has lost 38 matches in 68 games.

So is there really any real progress?

Much of the ire directed towards England is because of the manner they have performed on the field.

When Johnson first took charge, there was the false dawn of a strong win over the Pacific Islanders, before crashing to three consecutive defeats to the Tri Nations powers.

They were not “die fighting” losses, but rather ill-disciplined affairs in which England were their own worst enemy.

This trend continued in the Six Nations early, when against Ireland at Croke Park, the sending off of Danny Care saw England awarded their 10th yellow card in four matches.

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Lineen demands European success

Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen had demanded his side translate their domestic form onto the European stage ahead of their clash with Gloucester on Saturday.

Whereas the Warriors top the Magners League ahead of Edinburgh, their Heineken Cup ambitions are all but over following back-to-back defeats from their opening two games.

But with Scotland captain Chris Cusiter returning to the side along with wing Peter Murchie and lock Dan Turner, Lineen wants his young side to impress in front of a home crowd at Firhill.

"It's a tale of two tables," he said. "In the Magners League we're at the top but in the Heineken Cup we're at the bottom.

"We need to play like a team that's at the top of the Magners League to do our current position justice.

"We're still disappointed with what happened with the Biarritz game so we need to make sure we're back on form at Firhill to show the supporters what we've got as a professional sports team.

"Last weekend, I was particularly impressed with the way in which the players performed in such a hostile environment, especially our younger forwards like Jon Welsh, Richie Gray and Richie Vernon."

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Welsh duo Thomas and Macleod pen new deals at Sale

Sale director of rugby Kingsley Jones has captured the extended signatures of Welsh duo Lee Thomas and Nick Macleod.

Thomas and Macleod have both signed new two-year deals following hard on the heels of England star Mark Cueto who penned a new four year deal a fortnight ago.

The pair both arrived at Sale from Cardiff Blues, inside centre Thomas originally joining in 2006, with full-back Macleod following suit two years later and at 25 and 26 respectively, the duo's best years are still ahead of them

"It is great news for everyone at the club that Nick and Lee have committed to the club until July 2012," said Jones.

"It shows the intention from both the players and the club. We've said all along we are working on a long-term plan here and we want to invest.

"With the likes of Dean Schofield, Mark Cueto and now Lee you are talking about building the spine of the team.

"And, for his part, Nick has just got better and better in the time he has been here. He's a good man, he works hard and to have him on board for another two years is excellent."

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Ashton: Time for all the excuses at the breakdown to end

Former England boss Brian Ashton has called on coaches to stop using the breakdown as an excuse for the turgid rugby being produced this autumn and start trusting their players to produce the goods.

The home nations could only muster two tries in seven matches against Tri-Nations opposition over the autumn series, while the try-count in the Guinness Premiership is also down on last year; leading to a raft of coaches blaming the tackle area for the lack of excitement.

The RFU's hopes of revising the regulations governing the tackle area were dashed when the IRB promised only a review rather than law changes ahead of the 2011 World Cup last Tuesday.

But former England coach Ashton, who is known as one of the game's sharpest thinkers, believes it is time people start taking responsibility for the entertainment standards rather than pointing the finger of blame at the lawmakers.

He said: "Australia and New Zealand showed it is still possible to play attractive rugby despite the so-called prohibitive laws of the game.

"It is a strange one to be honest, because you had two international games at the end of the autumn where the All Blacks and Australia scored nine tries as the away side.

"That shows there is nothing much wrong with the laws. You have some people who are finding ways to adapt and others who are hiding behind the issue.

"There is this negative mindset that has invaded countries in terms of the tackle area.

"There seems to be a fear element at the breakdown whether that is fear of losing the game, losing points or losing possession.

"The breakdown is the most contentious area in rugby and it is always going to be unless you make it like rugby league. Instead of moaning about it, they just need the right mindset and the right level of intelligence.

"For example the Currie Cup final was a terrific game of rugby played under exactly the same laws that we have in the north but you would not have thought that from watching the game. It comes down to how the coaches and players interpret the laws and the need to be brave."

At the heart of both Australia and New Zealand's attacking play have been fly-halves Matt Giteau and Dan Carter.

And Ashton believes it is no coincidence that they are trusted by their coaches to call the shots on the pitch according to what they see in front of them.

In stark contrast, the northern hemisphere's creative players seemed enveloped by a tactical straightjacket illustrated by England's insistence on sending on coaches to advice players during 'water breaks'.

"I think the two outstanding players have been Matt Giteau and Dan Carter and both those players rely on their game intelligence rather than playing rugby by numbers," added Ashton.

"I did some work with Graham Henry at a coaching seminar last February and I asked him what is it that gives Carter that special quality?

"Graham simply said he is my coach on the field. That is a very brave decision by a coach when you say to a player this is how we want you to play but when you are out there play it how you see it.

"You can't control the game from the stands: players are the ones that play the game and they are the only ones that set foot on the field.

"I would regard it as a complete insult if you had players constantly being bombarded by instructions once they are playing - they need to be left to figure things out themselves."

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Halfpenny eyes Six Nations redemption.

Winger Leigh Halfpenny says the burning disappointment of their November international results can spur Wales to Six Nations glory.

Warren Gatland's men end 2009 on a low note after conceding four tries to Australia in their 33-12 defeat at the Millennium Stadium, where the All Blacks also triumphed in the autumn.

But despite critics accusing Wales of going backwards over the last 12 months, Halfpenny maintains they have made progress under Gatland.

He said: "Wales are going in the right direction and we're moving towards being up there with the top three teams in the world.

"We were very disappointed with our performance against Australia in the last game. We felt as though we pushed New Zealand all the way and we were disappointed that we didn't nail that game.

"The fact we felt we could have got a victory and to be saying that means we are moving in the right direction.

"After the Australia game Warren and Shaun Edwards told us that they never want to feel the same disappointment again.

"It's really exciting at the moment and I'm really looking forward to the Six Nations coming up. We will be going all out to regain that title from Ireland."

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Biggar kicks Ospreys to victory (Six Nations 2010)

Dan Biggar out-kicked Ronan O'Gara as the Ospreys enjoyed a famous 19-14 Magners League victory over a strong Munster outfit at the Liberty Stadium.

O'Gara, standing in as skipper for the injured Paul O'Connell, missed four penalties while his 20-year-old opposite number scored 14 of his side's points.

In steady rain it was sweet revenge for the Ospreys who had conceded more than 100 points to Munster in three defeats last season, and the win ended a four-match losing streak.

Munster were forced into a late and significant change to their line-up when O'Connell pulled out with a calf strain.

The Ospreys were also without their captain Ryan Jones, who had not recovered from the back problem which ruled him out of Wales' defeat to Australia.

O'Gara missed two early shots at goal but Munster were awarded a penalty try from a scrum much and O'Gara converted in front of the posts on 13 minutes.

The Ospreys, with their first concerted attack, got on the scoreboard with a Biggar penalty from in front of the posts.

But two minutes later they lost Alun Wyn Jones to the sin bin for a professional foul, although O'Gara could not convert the penalty.

Biggar also saw a long-range effort rebound off the crossbar before he kicked a 38th-minute penalty to get the Ospreys within a point, to make it 7-6 at the interval.

The Ospreys made a dramatic start to the second half when Tommy Bowe went in at the right corner for a converted try after good work from Gareth Owen and Biggar.

And their second attack of the half saw them have a chance to go further ahead after Munster hooker John Fogarty was sin-binned for a professional foul, but Biggar was wide with his penalty shot.

The Ospreys thought they had scored a second try but Paul James lost the ball over the line. However, they made do with a 57th-minute Biggar drop-goal as they extended their lead to 16-7.

Fortune was certainly the Ospreys as they watched O'Gara miss his fourth penalty attempt after 60 minutes.

Biggar then planted his third penalty from the halfway line as the home lead went to 12 before Munster number eight James Coughlin was yellow-carded for kicking the ball away.

Munster kept scrapping and replacement Nick Williams claimed an injury-time try.

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Wales trio handed Barbarians chance

Jamie Roberts has been given a chance to avenge Wales' defeat by New Zealand last month after being selected at inside centre by the Barbarians.

The Baa-Baas face the All Blacks, who prevailed 19-12 at the Millennium Stadium, at Twickenham on Saturday in their now traditional end of autumn fixture.

British & Irish Lions star Roberts is picked alongside fellow Welsh internationals Andy Powell and Leigh Halfpenny, who feature among the replacements.

Springbok lock Victor Matfield will captain a side containing 925 caps, heading a seven-strong South African contingent that includes the uncapped WP Nel.

Bryan Habana starts on the left wing while All Black Joe Rokocoko has been handed the number 14 jersey against his national team-mates.

Australia supply four players to the starting line-up, including skipper Rocky Elsom and fly-half Matt Giteau.

Barbarians coach Nick Mallett said: "We have the benefit of a full week together ahead of the match.

"Knowing the talent that has been assembled among the 22 players, we expect to be very competitive and give the All Blacks and the Twickenham crowd a real taste of Barbarian rugby at its best."

Barbarians: D Mitchell (Australia); J Rokocoko (New Zealand), J Fourie (South Africa), J Roberts (Wales), B Habana (South Africa); M Giteau (Australia), F du Preez (South Africa); S Perugini (Italy), B du Plessis (South Africa), W P Nel (uncapped), C del Fava (Italy), V Matfield (South Africa, captain), R Elsom (Australia), S Burger (South Africa), G Smith (Australia).

Replacements: S Moore (Australia), T Mtawarira (South Africa), Q Geldenhuys (Italy), A Powell (Wales), W Genia (Australia), M Steyn (South Africa), L Halfpenny (Wales).

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Young adamant Williams is the man for Wales

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young believes Wales coach Warren Gatland should only be looking in one direction for a replacement for crocked hooker Matthew Rees - Gareth Williams.

Williams was the star of the show as the Blues edged out French giants Toulouse 15-9 in a tense Heineken Cup encounter in Cardiff over the weekend.



British & Irish Lions star Rees is looking at a lengthy spell on the treatment table but Gatland is known to prefer bigger hookers like Rees and Huw Bennett.

However Blues coach Young insists Gatland should be giving the nod to his in-form front row ahead of next season's RBS 6 Nations.

"He was outstanding last season and he has been outstanding this season," said Young.

"I was really disappointed he did not get anywhere near the international squad for the autumn series.

"He has been the form hooker in Welsh rugby for about 12 months."

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Ashton tipped for England call

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes Chris Ashton warrants an England call after the wing bagged a double in the Saints' Heineken Cup triumph against Treviso.

The 22-year-old crossed twice in seven second-half minutes as Northampton came back from a 13-3 deficit to win 30-18 at Franklin's Gardens.


Ashton has now scored 13 tries in 14 games this season and Mallinder believes the rugby league convert has all the attributes to force his way in to England coach Martin Johnson's RBS 6 Nations squad next year.



"Chris is a fine player and he is improving all the time - but it is up to Martin Johnson to decide when he wants to pick him," said Mallinder.

"He is a great finisher, a real poacher who always seems to be in the right position at the right time and he cannot stop scoring tries and that is great for the team.

"I think it is something they learn in rugby league - when to pop up and do the business and long may it continue."

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Gatland's injury crisis deepens

Wales prop Duncan Jones is facing a race against time to be fit for the Six Nations as Warren Gatland's injury crisis deepens.

Jones - who signed a new three-year deal with Ospreys this week - has broken a bone in his foot and will miss the Heineken Cup clash with Viadana.

Ospreys and Wales are already without the services of Ryan Jones, Shane Williams, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne with the 31-year-old the latest to be ruled out.

Gatland's autumn campaign was plagued by injuries at tight-head which saw Paul James - who replaced Jones against Viadana - play in last month's Tests.

Fellow tight-head contenders Scarlet Rhys Thomas (foot) and Cardiff Blue John Yapp (bicep), remain on the sidelines.

Byrne and Phillips are still recovering from foot injuries and with Jones the latest onto the treatment table Gatland's Six Nations preparations have been further disrupted.

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Jerry Flannery likely to be available for Six Nations

Munster hooker Jerry Flannery's prospects of being available for all of Ireland's Six Nations campaign appear to have improved.

Exploratory surgery on Flannery's Achilles injury has indicated that he is likely to be fit by late January.

Ireland currently have reduced hooker options with Ulster's Rory Best ruled out for the entire season.

Declan Kidney's side open the defence of their Six Nations title against Italy at Croke Park on 6 February.

A week later, the Grand Slam champions face France in Paris.

If Flannery is ruled out, Connacht's Sean Cronin, 23, who earned his first cap in November, would be the next most likely choice.

The uncapped Fogarty brothers John, 32, and Denis, 26, appear to be next in line behind Cronin.

John Fogarty has been keeping Bernard Jackman out of the Leinster team for most of this season, while Denis has been getting regular action for Munster because of Flannery's international commitments and injuries.

Flannery was a late withdrawal from the Munster team for last weekend's Heineken Cup win over Perpignan and misses this weekend's return clash in France.

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Lions back and ready to roar for Gatland in Six Nations

WARREN GATLAND is to receive two bumper Christmas presents with British Lions Adam Jones and Lee Byrne primed to return to action in the best shape of their rugby careers.

Wales’ lack of depth at tight-head prop in the absence of Jones was cruelly exposed during last month’s disappointing four-Test series with their scrum under the pump.

And, even though makeshift full-back James Hook did well at No 15, the strength, timing and penetration of full-back Byrne in attack was missed during the defeats against New Zealand and Australia.

Wales coach Gatland will be desperate to see two of his Lions stars – scrum-half Mike Phillips will miss the start of the Six Nations after under-going ankle surgery – return in time to mount a case for selection for the February 6 clash with England at Twickenham after seeing confidence take a heavy knock during the autumn campaign.

Fifty-six times Wales capped Jones dislocated his right shoulder after being illegally charged into at a ruck by Springbok hard-man Bakkies Botha while shining for the Lions in the second Test with South Africa in Pretoria on June 27.

He had an operation to repair the damage and has received permission to make his playing come-back, probably next Saturday off the bench as a replacement against Viadana at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium in the Heineken Cup.

Byrne was superb for the Lions during the warm-up matches in South Africa but limped out of the series in the opening Test after suffering a recurrence of the foot injury which had flared up during last season’s Six Nations.

He has had surgery to a ligament but it has to be carefully managed to prevent it flaring up again and putting his career in jeopardy.

The 29-year-old is due today to kick a ball for the first time but reports being pain-free and has pencilled in his come-back for the Ospreys in their Boxing Day shoot-out with neighbours the Scarlets in Llanelli.

There is more good news for Gatland with his Wales skipper Ryan Jones due back soon from the back trouble which forced him to pull out of the 33-12 hiding against Australia at the Millennium Stadium and lock Ian Evans ready to return after recovering from a chest injury.

Ospreys boss Scott Johnson paid tribute to the professionalism, dedication and commitment of Byrne and Adam Jones.

“To be fair on Adam, we had an agreement. He has got to the weight despite everyone thinking he would balloon out really,” beamed the former Wales and Australia skills guru.

“After the Lions everyone thought he would take it easy but he’s been exemplary and his weight is now back to what it was when he went on the Lions tour. His strength is to where it was too.

“You couldn’t ask for a more professional attitude regarding a comeback so you’ve got to give praise where it’s due. He’s done really, really well.

“I think it’s important for the game in Wales really. He’s been missed but I always look at things positively.

“I think Wales need to find other tight-heads as well and it’s given us a chance to play some young kids and see how they go so it strengthens the pool of talent.

“We could have gone to the open market and replaced Adam. I didn’t think that was in the best interests of Welsh rugby and I still don’t.

“While we may, from everyone’s view, suffered a bit of pain through that I think we will get plenty of gain.

“He’s been missed but the depth in our squad has increased, that’s a good thing moving forward.

“We will welcome him back – there’s no doubt about it. It’s a fine sight to see because the day never seemed to be getting closer but it’s arrived, it’s good and it’s good for the game here.”

Switching his attention to Byrne, Johnson said: “Lee is not that far away. I must give the region full credit. We have got three physios here. The Welsh give their physio a day a week as well.

“He’s probably been in as good as hands as anywhere. Lee’s been diligent. He looks absolutely fantastic. Physically, he’s probably in the best shape that I can remember Lee being in.

“I think he’s done really well. Kids get criticised a lot in the negative way but you have got to acknowledge the positive.

“When you are talking about Adam and Lee, physically they look a million dollars so they have done their part in their preparation to get back so full credit to them. Lee will start to come back. I think he can start kicking on Wednesday which is not far on being full in.

“We will have a look at it but all reports from the scans and that, it’s a pretty positive result but I have been through this (type of foot injury) with Sam Cordingley (former Australia and Swansea scrum-half) as well. It was an epic, Sam’s.

“This was managed slightly differently. Let’s hope it’s positive, Lee’s certainly been in a positive frame of mind.

“He’s been missed, internationally and with us.”

With Ryan Jones and Evans already on the way back, Gatland’s remaining injury concerns are Phillips, who could be fit for the latter stages of the Six Nations, wing Shane Williams (hamstring), back-up prop Duncan Jones (foot), Lions hooker Matthew Rees (groin) and his Scarlets wing colleague Mark Jones (knee).

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Hogg to miss Six Nations

Edinburgh and Scotland forward Ally Hogg will miss the Six Nations tournament after being told he needs surgery on an injured hip that will keep him out of action for the rest of this season.

Hogg, 26, received the diagnosis in the wake of Edinburgh's European Cup defeat at Bath on Sunday and club coach Rob Moffat confirmed that surgery would go ahead as soon as possible.

"Ally has suffered a tear in a muscle in his hip and requires an operation," Moffat said. "It means he will be out of action for six months and so will not be available for selection for the Six Nations."

Hogg has played 48 times for his country but did not feature in the autumn internationals against Australia, Fiji and Argentina, despite former Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson now being in charge of the national team.

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