Predicated upon a resolute defensive performance for the ages, Wales blew open the Six Nations Championship race with a 23-16 win over tournament favourites Ireland.

Miraculously, the Welsh rearguard managed to repel Ireland for thirty two phases, a sequence that showed the defensive commitment of the entire Welsh team.

Wales’ performance was personified by lock Luke Charteris who made 31 tackles during a gripping Six Nations encounter.

Youtube Credit: RBS Six Nations

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Gatland at training

British and Irish Lions and Current Wales head coach Warren Gatland has reacted in cryptic fashion in saying that the impending departure of Wales Rugby Union Chief Executive Roger Lewis “probably does” affect his own long-term future. Lewis has announced that, after nine years in charge, he will leave his post following the World Cup in October.

After answering in the affirmative whether he could see it affecting his role as Wales coach going forward Gatland refused to elaborate.

Lewis is the man who gave the Wales contract to the kiwi head coach back in 2008, which should see him in the post until the RWC in 2019 (making him the best paid coach in the game also). The fact Gatland is unsure about his own future could be due to the fact he doesn’t think he will get the same backing from Lewis’ replacement, and in the light of Wales recent form, you can see why.

“The relationship the national team has had with Roger in terms of the support he has given us since I have been here is outstanding,” Gatland said. “There is no doubt we have got some of the best rugby facilities in the world. And when we have gone to Roger to ask for things for the team, whether it’s been staff or facilities, he’s been absolutely outstanding.”

What do you think of the situation? If Gatland does go, who will replace him?

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Warren Gatland wants to cull the number of oversea’s players in Wales

As per reports on Wales Onlines website, Regional Rugby Wales, the body which represents Wales’ four professional regional teams, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Dragons & Ospreys, wanted the WRU to ratify a rule that would allow each of their teams to play up ten non Welsh eligible players per game.

However, on the insistence of Warren Gatland, the Welsh coach, the number of non Welsh players cleared for playing for the Welsh regions during the Guinness Pro12 fixtures next season will be capped at eight, although this is predicated on at least two of those players expressing an interest to represent Wales via the residency rule further down the line.

Had the RRW request been granted, then there would only have been twenty vacancies for Welsh players during any given round of next season’s pro12-nearly half of what would have been allocated to oversea’s players.

Gatland insist’s that a select number of foreign players, with the requisite qualities would be welcomed with open arms but insisted that journeymen who would stunt the development of younger and potentially better Welsh players should not be considered by the regions.

In return for his stipulation, Gatland agreed to cut the Welsh score squad from 45 members to 38

In an interview earlier this year, the Kiwi stated that, in a perverse, vicarious way, the relative lack of finance available to the Welsh regions may be of benefit to the national team

“Because of the financial pressure the regions have been under, we have not seen so many overseas players or players from outside of Wales being here and potentially stopping these players coming through,”

Gatland added: “That’s been a big benefit for me as a coach in picking them. There’s no history with them in terms of losing to New Zealand or South Africa.

“They come in with an attitude of we might be young but we’re good enough. And that’s exactly what we’re looking for, it’s great.”

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Anscombe finally seals Cardiff move.

Finally, after months of conjecture, Gareth Anscombe has finally completed his move to Cardiff Blues.

The utility back, son of former Ulster coach, Mark, has been linked with a move to Wales for several months now, since he met with the Welsh coach, Warren Gatland, to discuss his options last winter.

The Chiefs player, who qualifies for Wales through his Cardiff born mother, Tracey, has been earmarked as a future Welsh fly half with the incumbents, Rhys Priestland, Dan Biggar and James Hook all failing to cement their place in the Welsh ten jersey.

Anscombe confirmed his departure to his team mate’s at a Chiefs dinner in Hamilton recently and will join the Blues at the culmination of the Super Rugby season.

For those not familiar with Anscombe, he is a dangerous broken field runner, whether or fly half or full back, and has a incisive Rugby play-making brain. Anscombe is also a composed place kicker, but not to the extent that he will wrestle that responsibility away from Leigh Halfpenny in the National Team’s shirt.

In the video below, you can see some of Anscombe’s best moments in a Chief’s jersey

Video credit: TheGreatRugbyWorld

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