As we do after every major tournament, we look at the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, we study champions Wales.
Wales have sealed three previous championships in the Six Nations, but none in the manner of Saturday's demolition of England.
It's hard to believe that a few weeks earlier the Welsh public were baying for Rob Howley's blood, on the back end of an eight-game losing streak and that had crushed all confidence. Instead against England, confidence was coursing through their veins.
The turnaround however started much earlier. Defeating France in Paris produced the necessary force to flick the switch on Welsh fortunes - with the brightest of finishes in George North's try closing out an ugly, brutal game. The elation of North's father running onto the pitch to join the celebrations represented the relief of a nation.
Funny thing, momentum. Road wins followed against Italy and Scotland, and gritty ones at that, meaning that by the time Wales rode back into Cardiff with the Six Nations title looked upon as a 'mathematical possibility', hopes were measured if not quietly optimistic.
The rest is history.
Wales as a collective were brilliant against England, but in the previous matches a series of exceptional performances deserved recognition.
Andrew Coombs was an unknown coming into the Six Nations, yet amidst an injury crisis at lock proved to be a physical beast on both sides of the ball.
Ryan Jones proved once more that he can excel at Test level, the inspiration in Paris and Rome when Wales needed a leader. It was only right that he lifted the trophy with Gethin Jenkins.
Dan Biggar silenced his critics once and for all in guiding the Wales to a Six Nations title. Still only 23, his Test career is only just beginning.
Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric have been heralded for their double-barrelled attack on the breakdown and rightly so, but Toby Faletau went quietly about his business throughout the championship, topping the stat charts.
The fact that George North and Alex Cuthbert are now the frontrunners to start for the Lions tells you everything about their talent, whilst Leigh Halfpenny was probably issued his plane ticket back in November. It is a side seeping with talent.
Hammering England therefore is not enough. Last year following the Grand Slam, expectations of what Wales could do on tour in Australia and at home in November were at boiling point. They lost every single remaining match that year.
Much like England following their victory over the All Blacks, success means little if it does not become the foundation for bigger and better things.
No nation will be better represented on the Lions tour than Wales and rightly so, but a repeat of last year's struggles in the November Internationals again in 2013 will be unacceptable.
Wales will enjoy the moment as they rightly should, but ambition to build on their turnaround and then the execution of that must happen, not to mention addressing the continuing financial struggles of the regions. Savour the success, but come back wanting more.
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
three6three6 says...
In my lifetime I would like to see Wales beat the All Blacks.... that is the real (and probably ONLY) test of whether Wales are any good.... But imagine the pleasure that such a win would give such a rugby playing nation.
Beating the other NH nations is no longer sufficient.... Wales need to beat the SH teams on a regular basis.... this far they have struggled against the Wallabies and Bokke..... and never really threatened the All Blacks since 2003.
Posted 13:20 30th March 2013
carpelone says...
Wales was horrible to watch during the first half of the 6N. They just played for the points and that was all.
Their proverbial backline misfired and I guess James Hook must be a frustrated bunny.
Halfpenny was outstanding not only from the tee but also with his position and reading of the opponents' game.
Wales's scrum was extremely cynical and lucky to go away with murder in almost all the games they played.
Overall, deserving Champions, but I liked much more the brand of rugby they produced at RWC 2011.
For those who criticise Roberts for not passing the ball, he was clearly told not to. Jamie has an excellent rugby brain and he is well capable of offloading or of inside passing. So do not blame him.
Posted 13:33 22nd March 2013
makemehappy says...
@mikeyj9 - obviously that was based on the recent games against Australia. Both teams were poor. Hahahaha.
I also don't think the Aussie pack is particularly good at the moment, and it is hard to believe that Wales playing well wouldn't have seen a Welsh win. The problem is getting them to play well.
Posted 13:27 22nd March 2013
jose_jones says...
Mikey,... but the best in Europe eh!
Posted 07:53 22nd March 2013
mikeyj9 says...
@makemehappy " That team would have murdered the Aussies if they had played them last week with the attitude they showed on the day" hahahahahahahaha. Wait, what happens if the aussies also play with intensity, or is it only if it were the wounded tired wallabies team that toured the north last year? Or is the plan to win one game against a SH opposition and then crow
(at least until the next game) that Wales are world beaters? Good job Wales, you won the six nations, but your still about the 5th or sixth best team in the world.
Posted 22:50 21st March 2013
sneggy1983 says...
People go on about how rubbish Wales were before England. But did Wales score the most tries in the 6 nations? We had a terrible half against Ireland, second half all Wales. France was the correct way to play. When you have lost 8 games on a trot, the game is not the time to try and play fancy stuff. Common sense says you go back to basics and grind out a result which they did. Against Scotland Wales were very comfortable all game and if it wasnt for Scotland disrupting the game Wales would have won at a counter. Against Italy in absoultely terrible conditions Wales played the correct way. One of the best games in terms of managing the conditions in a long time. It was pretty but it was good to see Biggar controlling the game with his kicking game guiding Wales to a very comfortable win. Then England , enough said. Wales did not become a bad team over night. The defeats to Australia were very narrow and if it wasn't for dodgy refereeing from Jourbert Wales would have won 2-1. If it wasn't for a lapse in concentration in the last Australia game they would have won. Wales against England finally found their confidence and showed their World Cup form. There is no doubting now Wales need to push on and i do believe they will beat Australia and S Africa in the Autumn especially SA because i believe they are a poor side at the moment and they are rebuilding exactly like the England are doing.
Posted 22:33 21st March 2013
Kent says...
Why do you English people think that Wales "get up" to beat England or to deny England the grand slam. You are just another team.
Clearly Wales had to grind out wins away from home to get themselves in with a shot at winning the 6 nations. Fact
Posted 17:52 21st March 2013
99call says...
cliffguy
Call me stupid if you want but the Wales/ France game was the most boring encounter Ive ever seen, this was a french team that had lost to Italy and was playing the most pathetic rugby that any french side has ever done
yet wales spent 70 minutes trying not to lose the game rather than kicking on from the second half performance against ireland and trying to win, its obviously not lack of talent as was shown against england so if it wasnt motivation then what was it????? how could they be so useless in 3 games and so good in one, why were they able to get themselves up for one game and not the rest, and yes you did beat france but it would have been fair if it had ended in a 6 all draw as both sides were rubbish, what motivated the players to raise their game against england
Posted 16:39 21st March 2013
cliffguy says...
@99call
Wales "lack motivation" then just go and win in Paris. What a stupid thing to say. Really very stupid.
Posted 16:11 21st March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
They need to keep saying through the next 7 wins: "you don't become a good team overnight"
Posted 13:19 21st March 2013
makemehappy says...
Good players and a good team, but the attitude isn't always correct. That team would have murdered the Aussies if they had played them last week with the attitude they showed on the day.
Posted 13:09 21st March 2013
JamieTheProp says...
As this is the best Welsh team for some time they now need to go on and prove it.
Beating England well is a step in the right direction (although I understand that most Wales fans see this England side as overrated and so not that big a scalp) - but there are bigger SH challenges ahead.
Consistently beating the SH teams needs to be the next stage and then a step on to winning the World Cup.
Only then can this Wales side be judged a great side. Like the current NZ side, The Australia side circa 1990 and the England side of 2003.
It is a tough measure - but the only measure. If they fail in the above then they are just another good NH side who ultimately failed to prove they are great.
Posted 12:38 21st March 2013
TVaddict says...
If Wales can learn to raise their game for teams other than England then they'll become a force. Let them beat one of the big three and then let's judge them.
Posted 12:28 21st March 2013
99call says...
Wales were collectively poor for 3 1/2 matches in this 6n, yes they did well in the second half against Ireland and gave England a kicking but against france, Italy and Scotland they were more than average, the pack did ok and held its own but the backline was none existent and the 2 potential lions centres rarely touched the ball and to be honest in one game the only time I heard Jamie Roberts name was when he was being subbed, John Davies' first touch against Italy was in the 45 minute, ok it was to score a try, but it wasnt a slick passing move it was a bit of luck, theres no way your outside centres first touch should be in the 45 minute that reall speaks volumes for the standard of the welsh back play.
So how are they then able to put in the 1 1/2 great performances, against Ireland they had no choice the game was lost and if they didnt throw the ball around it would have been a cricket score.
So then what about the england match, was it because it was against the old enemy, was because it was in Cardiff, was it because it was to stop an england GS, it was probably all of the above
Its then obvious that the team has the talent but does it lack motiviation for most games, mybe so that is what the coaching team needs to work on IMO
Posted 09:35 21st March 2013
swerv says...
spot on must continue progress as England will be up for revenge in world cup 15 that is if they've stopped bellyaching.
Posted 08:13 21st March 2013
ShamanSheep says...
The lions tour could have an effect - if they win, as they should, on paper I think - then it should give this team that extra boost.
Also when we play the 4N teams, we need to take it as it comes a bit more - every time we've played them recently half the squad and all the coaching staff, the physio, his wife and their dog have come out saying 'this is a massive game we really, really need to prove ourselves and win this won, we have to', which just ratchets up the pressure on the team massively, and it always shows on the pitch; this teams mental state is really key to how they play, even more so than with other sides..
Posted 08:02 21st March 2013