Wales winger George North has stated that Welsh fans will be eager for "a bloodbath" ahead of Saturday's clash with England.
North, who was born in England to an English father and Welsh mother, spoke about the excitement building around the country ahead of Saturday's title decider, with the fierce rivalry between the two sides coming to the fore.
"You try to keep a cool head and you try to maintain calm and focus. But everyone you see on the street is saying 'make sure you smash their heads in!'," said North to BBC Sport.
"The whole country [Wales] loves it. Wales is a massive rugby nation, and whenever we play England there seems to be this long, long rivalry that everyone just wants a bloodbath, really.
"They just want the best for the team, and their way of helping is just making sure they give you a tap on the back when you are walking round town or saying 'good luck'.
"Everyone has got that common thing that everyone doesn't really like the English in rugby terms. But they are a great team, and have great qualities.
"It's not like a bad thing that they [Welsh fans] hate them [English] because they are nasty people. It's that they are a good team to beat and a good scalp to have."
"You can't beat around the fact that it is a big game. But you've got to try and take it as your job at the end of the day, so it's just trying to focus now, ready for Saturday.
"If you cut all the emotions out of it, it's just another game. If you take all the fans away, it's just 15 against 15. You've just got to make sure your head is in the right place. You have got to pull yourself back from the occasion and try to relax.
"We had the heartbreak of the first game [Ireland beat Wales 30-22 in Cardiff] and did not perform very well.
"Then to have had such a hard journey with three away games on the bounce, and then come back home and come back with a great chance to retain the title, it's a great place to be for the whole squad."
Comments
pierredelot1 says...
My point about Ashton and Hartley is that they have both at times failed to control their emotions. Ashton goes off like a little schoolboy and Hartley loses it. This game may be the making of them. Certainly Ashton needs to up his tackle count as his defence has been woeful, hopefully he'll keep his toys in his pram.
Posted 10:16 16th March 2013
new_j4a says...
Dunno about bloodbath....but the Welsh pack could do with a bit of soap, hot water, and a scrub.....do you think that fat boy in the front row is going rasta or just lives 3 blocks from the public bath house?
Posted 09:49 16th March 2013
side_stepper says...
I think he means that the fans want the Welsh team (red jersey) to dominate, hence the term "bloodbath". Certainly not the literal meaning, I hope..
Posted 07:17 16th March 2013
RugbyLocos says...
CRINGE TIME !!!!! - George, please keep yourself away from the media, and your father off the pitch. A young lad with a lot to learn !!!!
After such an utterly rubbish 6N - I say let the best rugby win tommorrow!!!!!!!.
(And If it happens to come from England, then so-be-it).
Posted 18:43 15th March 2013
Bones7 says...
Before you all spit out your false teeth I think he means a bloodbath in terms of a hard, physical contest, not a punch-up.
Posted 18:42 15th March 2013
JamieTheProp says...
@ pierredelot1 - how can you bring up the behaviour of Ashton and Hartley when there is a Welsh player talking about a 'bloodbath'.
It is one thing commiting foul play in the heat of battle - but suggesting a bloodbath in the cold light of day? No class!
Posted 17:30 15th March 2013
sirjona says...
@ pierredelot1 looks like you are in for a boring old evening watching Dylan " Eeyore " Hartley and Chris " no tries for me ta " Ashton. Do yourself a favour and wear the red with pride this Sat. An intersting point would be how many nations shouting for Wales and how many for the Saesneg.
Allez Le Rouge Wales by 10
Posted 15:01 15th March 2013
carpelone says...
Utterly disappointing and inappropriate words.
Utterly justifiable given the young age. Would 1 week ban be appropriate to prevent such rubbish going out?
Posted 13:52 15th March 2013
firepower says...
@rugby_rockstar "if they was ever an excuse for an angry mob to storm the IRB's HQ and drag the referee selection comittee out into the street and then repeated kick them in the nuts for a couple of hours then this is it"
LMAO hahahahahahahahaha
Posted 12:15 15th March 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
What'evs, I'm predicting cynical play, overpowering defenses and atrocious refereeing. I just feel it's going to be an almighty let down for anyone who enjoys a bit of rugby no matter what colour your jersey is.
I may have to employ a witch to give Steve Walsh gout just on the off chance that we might get a half decent referee to officiate the biggest game of the NH's season. I mean honestly? STEVE WALSH!?!?!?! For a Wales vs England winner takes all clash???? if they was ever an excuse for an angry mob to storm the IRB's HQ and drag the referee selection comittee out into the street and then repeated kick them in the nuts for a couple of hours then this is it.
Posted 11:16 15th March 2013
GreenDip says...
How completely sad it that? Nice to see a tolerant attitude from the cosmopolitan Welsh!
Posted 10:52 15th March 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Chat like that does nobody any favours. If it is a bloodbath then its red cards all round. I doubt it. These guys are professionals but it will be interesting to see who the real pros are. I shall be watching Hartley and Ashton with interest.
Posted 09:55 15th March 2013