General Chat

Not new news but I found this on BBC SPORT

Six Nations 2015: Wales treat Leigh Halfpenny for concussion

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32001366

THANK YOU PRICKLES FOR

ONLY BOYS ALOUD AND CALON LAN!<3

(As the match was starting when I spotted it, I have only just been able to listen to it!)

....And of course I have never heard that one before ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D :-D

YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF A GOOD THING! :-D :-D :-D <3

Dear Jemima

Hello

Well done to Ireland and what good matches too.

Now lubricate your tonsils with a nice cup of tea!

THANK YOU for all the fun and enjoyment on this post, our Radio Jem.


Take gentle care
With best wishes
Love from Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Thank you Jem its been Brilliant following you .well England played really well .the energy of the lads .Wales did you proud & Ireland worthy winners ..poor old Scotland :-( back to the drawing board. three cheers for radio Jem Hip. hip,hip ,Hurray :-D ;-) :-D

Hip, hip...........Hurray. <3 :-D <3

Such good matches congratulations to Ireland, love the banter between my 92 year Irish mum and my brother who supports England all in good fun can't Waite for World Cup now

Thank You so much, Everyone :-D :-D :-D <3


Welcome to our Rugby Thread Linda :-)
I hope you will come back and join us again :-) :-)



It's not all over YET! :-D

We've still got the WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS Championship to conclude.

The final game SCOTLAND WOMEN v IRELAND WOMEN takes place at Broadwood Stadium at 1pm.



The results so far-

ITALY WOMEN 22 ~ WALES WOMEN 5

ENGLAND WOMEN 15 ~ FRANCE WOMEN 21


In the lead at the moment with 8 Points is FRANCE WOMEN.
IRELAND WOMEN are in second place with 6 Points but with another game to play!

So if Ireland Women win, it could be a double Six Nations win for Ireland.
If Ireland Women DO WIN, It will come down to POINTS DIFFERENCE again!


Also still to come
THE UNDER 20s MATCH REPORTS

WHAT THE EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY!

THE POST MORTEM! ;-) :-D :-D

RADIO JEM's ON DEMAND SERVICE! ;-) :-D :-D :-D

Calling Radio Jem <3

Well what a fantastic day of rugby we all had, cannot remember when last we saw such great games.

Well done Ireland, commiserations to Wales, England & Scottland.

I think Wales would of got it if Italy did not get that last try, it was so close all the matches, wasn't it .

Jem, you can have a rest now until the World Cup, what a great job you have done keeping everyone up to date with all the games and team news. I'm putting you up for the Queens Birthday Honors list,
so keep an eye out for the post :-)

Shaun

:-D :-D :-D :-D@ SHAUN!

Thank you Shaun, but you do know that you will all have to bow or curtsey to me then! ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D


Yes, it was a shame, that last Italian Try and conversion. That alone would not have been enough to win the Championship, however. We would still have needed an extra 4 Points to beat Ireland. Or three points to equalise. Then it would have gone to the team with the most Tries.

But in the time it took for Italy to score the Try and Conversion, we may have scored again to secure the Championship win! :-( :-(


WELL THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR! ....
........NOT TO MENTION THE WORLD CUP!!!:-) :-)

"JONATHAN"

Jonathan is a fun Rugby Oriented Chat Show hosted by Former Wales Rugby International Star and TV Commentator JONATHAN DAVIES on S4C (Sianel 4 Cymru) Wales' Channel 4.

IT REMINDS ME OF A RUGBY VERSION OF "TOP GEAR" BUT WITH GLAMOUR!


Jonathan's co-presenters are the beautiful SARRA ELGAN, Actress, Singer, Sports Interviewer, and TV Presenter.
http://www.welshstars.co.uk/sarra-elgan

Sarra is married to former Irish International player SIMON EASTERBY.
Simon, formerly a coach for Llanelli Scarlets, is now on IRELAND's COACHING TEAM.


Also, NIGEL OWENS, hailed as the World's Best Rugby Union Referee (Nigel refereed yesterday's England v France Six Nations decider) who is also a Stand-Up comedian.



I have just watched the episode that was aired Friday evening, on the eve of the Six Nations Finale Day.

Of course, the main Rugby topics were speculation about the final round of the Six Nations Championship, and WALES' VICTORY OVER IRELAND the Saturday before.



Always a subject for teasing, is Sarra's position. Sarra, the daughter of former Wales International ELGAN REES, is now prominent on Welsh television, but who is married to an Irish former player turned coach.

The boys were teasing Sarra about her not being very happy, as her husband Simon HAD LOST HIS BONUS due to Ireland being beaten by Wales... and now Sarra would not have her NEW CONSERVATORY! :-D :-D :-D



EACH WEEK A WALES RUGBY CLUB IS FEATURED

This time it was at the BETWS RFC.
The steward is former SWANSEA RFC Scrum-Half ALAN WILLIAMS, who has a rugby playing family and is the father of SCARLETS and WALES' SCRUM HALF... RHODRI WILLIAMS.

It reminded me of GOGGLEBOX as part of this feature was WATCHING THE WALES FANS WATCHING THE WALES GAMES! :-D :-D :-D




Part of the programme this time, was where a CHALLENGE was given to Nigel, Sarra and London Welsh Head Coach ROWLAND PHILLIPS to reverse a large COACH.

Rowly was "full of it" but did damage to the coach by reversing into the railings.
Sarra did well, but she was just beaten by Nigel.



Guests this week were OSIAN ROBERTS .. FAW (Football Association of Wales) Technical Director of Football and Rally Driver ELFYN EVANS.



Also making a guest appearance was WALES INTERNATIONAL ANDY POWELL.

Andy, was made more famous, when he was caught riding a GOLF BUGGY down the M4 to buy some "Munchies"! :-0 :-0 :-D :-D

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/andy-powells-golf-buggy-incident-7252648



At the end of the programme, Jonathan gave his PREDICTION for the outcome of the Six Nations Championship 2015-

"Wales will beat Italy, Ireland will beat Scotland, England will beat France .....
.....AND IRELAND WILL TAKE THE CHAMPIONSHIP!"


AND HE WAS SPOT ON!


That was the last in the present series of "Jonathan". It will return in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Look out for it, as it is very entertaining. But the humour can be a bit naughty ;-) at times, so be warned!


If you cannot get S4C in your area
you could watch it Live or on Catch-Up on S4C Clic
http://www.s4c.cymru/clic/e_live.shtml

EDITED... I've just remembered that it's mostly in Welsh, unless they are talking to English speaking people (as in their interview with Andy Powell eg), but there's subtitles available.

A smashing win for the Irish ladies too.

Yes indeed Dermot! :-) :-)

IRELAND WOMEN HAVE WON THEIR SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015!


When I watched the Irish Women's team play against Wales Women in St Helen's Swansea last Sunday, I knew that this team was something special!

They had a big following of Irish fans that had come over to support them, and they did not disappoint their loyal fans. They proved the stronger team throughout the game. Wales Women's defending however, prevented Ireland Women from beating the Home Team with an even higher score!



This afternoon, Ireland Women's final game of the tournament was against Scotland Women at Broadwood Stadium, Glasgow.


FIRST THEY NEEDED TO BEAT SCOTLAND TO DRAW LEVEL WITH FRANCE- 8 points

THEN THEY HAD TO OUTSCORE THEM ON POINTS DIFFERENCE!



Scotland Women v Ireland Women being the last scheduled game in the Championship .....
.....IRELAND WOMEN KNEW THEY NEEDED TO BEAT SCOTLAND BY AT LEAST 27 POINTS!

AND THAT THEY DID! .... THEY TROUNCED THEM!


FINAL SCORE:

SCOTLAND WOMEN 3 ~ IRELAND WOMEN 73 .... MATCH REPORT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31989242


The other Round 5 Games:

ITALY WOMEN 22 ~ WALES WOMEN 5 ... MATCH REPORT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31938669


ENGLAND WOMEN 15 ~ FRANCE WOMEN 21 .... MATCH REPORT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32004894


THE FINAL TABLE

1/ IRELAND Women....... Played 5; Won 4; Lost 1; Points Difference +113; POINTS 8

2/ FRANCE Women ....... Played 5; Won 4; Lost 1; Points Difference + 69; POINTS 8

3/ ITALY Women ............. Played 5; Won 3; Lost 2; Points Difference - 12; POINTS 6

4/ ENGLAND Women ..... Played 5; Won 2; Lost 3; Points Difference +39; POINTS 4

5/ WALES Women .......... Played 5; Won 2; Lost 3; Points Difference - 9; POINTS 4

6/ SCOTLAND Women .. Played 5; Won 0; Lost 5; Points Difference -200; POINTS 0


CONGRATULATIONS TO IRELAND WOMEN :-) :-) :-)

WINNERS OF THE WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015

This is Cyprus calling Radio Jem.

Thank you for all your good work, really enjoyed reading it. Couldn't watch the England match as we went out. Caught up this morning. Oh well maybe next year.

Will tune in whenever you're transmitting.

This is Cyprus signing off for now. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D <3 <3

This is Radio Jem.

Receiving you loud and clear Cyprus;-) ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D


Thank You Pat, I'm glad you have enjoyed it. :-) <3

Thank You for being a part of "Radio Jem" :-D :-D :-D
I have really enjoyed and appreciated your input! :-) :-) :-)

I have certainly enjoyed covering the Rugby, as I usually do, but this year more people have joined in and made it really special. <3

It gives me something to look back on and remember too! :-) :-)

Thanks again everyone <3

OVER AND OUT! ;-) :-D :-D :-D

THE UNDER 20s SIX NATIONS 2015 CONCLUDED FRIDAY EVENING

ENGLAND UNDER 20s WERE THE WINNERS OF THIS YEARS CHAMPIONSHIP!


It was only WALES Under 20s that managed to beat the England Youngsters this year! That was in the FIRST ROUND of the Tournament- A terrific game that would have put many of the Seniors' to shame.

That first game was exciting from start to finish, and in the end Wales Under 20s beat Champions England Under 20s- 21 points to 15!
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/general_chat/thread/1348768?d=asc&page=25



I always enjoy watching our young players. It's good to look out for the talented players coming up through the ranks.
They are the future of our Senior Teams.

If you enjoy Rugby Union, whatever Country's Team you support, look out for the games of the Under 20s teams. Television coverage can be an issue, so check your TV guides for your areas, for your young teams' games.

I am usually able to watch Wales U20s on either S4C or BBC1 / 2, but normally we do not get the other teams' games here.




WALES UNDER 20s FINAL GAME (played Friday evening, March 20th)

THE YOUNG WALES TEAM SNATCHED VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT WITH A PENALTY TRY AWARDED AT 80.53 MINUTES!:-0 :-0

The Penalty Try equalised the two teams at 21 ~ 21.
The subsequent Conversion by DAN JONES, concluded this game with a VICTORY FOR WALES U20s!


FINAL SCORE

ITALY U20s, 21 ~ WALES U20s, 23 ................... MATCH REPORT
http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/u20/28230.php



THE OTHER U20s GAMES

SCOTLAND U20s, 17 ~ IRELAND U20s,10 ........ MATCH REPORT
http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/u20/28231.php


ENGLAND U20s, 24 ~ FRANCE U20s, 11 ........... MATCH REPORT
http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/u20/28233.php



CONGRATULATIONS TO ENGLAND's UNDER 20s TEAM -
WINNERS OF THE UNDER 20s SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 :-)

ITALY v WALES SIX NATIONS SUMMARY ..... PART 1


The Italy v Wales game kicked off Round 5, the final round of The Six Nations Championship 2015.

At the beginning of the final round, three teams were fighting it out for the Championship Title- ENGLAND, IRELAND and WALES, all having won 4 out of 5 of their games.
With all three teams having 6 POINTS apiece, if they all won their respective games, the winner would be decided on POINTS DIFFERENCE.


Wales were in third place at the start of Round 5, with England in the lead with a Points difference of +35.
Ireland was in second place with a +31 Points difference.
Wales were trailing with a Points Difference of +12
SO WALES HAD IT ALL TO DO! :-0

AND THEY DID! :-D

BUT IT WASN'T QUITE ENOUGH! :-( :-( :-(


Having watched the game again....

RADIO JEM's MATCH REPORT ;-) ;-) ;-)
....THE FINAL WALES GAME

THE FIRST HALF:
The first half was a little disappointing.


WALES WAS CERTAINLY MISSING IT'S INJURED FRONT LINE!

Both GETHIN JENKINS (1) and SAMSON LEE (3) were conspicuous by their absence.
ROB EVANS who was newly capped the week before, and AARON JARVIS showed their relative inexperience at Test Level, in my humble opinion.

Hooker SCOTT BALDWIN (2) also is newer to the team.
Former First Choice Hooker, RICHARD HIBBARD, with his years of experience, was also injured in the Wales v Ireland game, when he came on as a replacement.



However, ITALY was missing it's "INSPIRATIONAL CAPTAIN" SERGIO PARISSE!

Italy had regained MARTIN CASTROGIOVANNI (who had been badly bitten by his friend's dog, and had required 14 stitches in his nose!) however, and also MAURO BERGAMASCO.



IN THE FIRST MINUTE OF PLAY ...
... WALES' LUKE CHARTERIS had given away a penalty to Italy.
This gave them an early lead on the board when KELLY HAIMONA scored a Penalty Goal.
ITALY 3 ~ WALES 0

The "favour" was returned when LEIGH HALFPENNY scored a Penalty Goal at 8 minutes ITALY 3 ~WALES 3

INDISCIPLINE BY BOTH SIDES, coupled with the two teams probably TRYING TOO HARD, led to more penalties.

First, another penalty Goal for Italy, this time by LUCIANO ORQUERA, who had replaced the injured Kelly Haimona.

Then within 2 minutes, Leigh's Penalty Goal for Wales had equalised the scores again.
ITALY 6 ~ WALES 6



At 19 Minutes-
IT'S A FIRST TRY FOR WALES BY JAMIE ROBERTS:-)
However - A rare MISS by Leigh, so no Conversion
ITALY 6 ~ WALES 11


This is followed up at 24 Minutes with a TRY
by ITALY'S LEFT WINGER GIOVANBATTISTA VENDITTI
Orquera Converts
ITALY 13 ~ WALES 11


At this point in the game, Wales fans' hopes for The Championship Title were fading away. Italy was certainly not playing like a defeated side!



AT 32 MINUTES.... A DREADFUL INCIDENT OCCURS! :-0 :-0 :-0

Italy's SAMUELA VUNISA is gaining ground.
LEIGH HALFPENNY HURLS HIMSELF DOWN AND TRIPS THE BIG MAN UP, stopping him in his tracks!

BUT THE FEARLESS ACT BY WALES' FULL BACK AND KICKER, EARNS HIM AN ACCIDENTAL KNEE IN THE HEAD FROM VUNISA! ....
.....LEIGH STAYS DOWN!

EVENTUALLY, LEIGH IS HELPED OFF THE FIELD WITH CONCUSSION! :-(:-( :-(

That is the end of the Six Nations Championship 2015 for my Little Leigh :-(


WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE WALES WITHOUT OUR RENOWNED KICKER? :-S

Fortunately, Wales has back-up! ... DAN BIGGAR
The Ospreys and Wales Fly-Half, also a World Class Kicker!

THE CLOCK GOES RED...WALES HAVE A PENALTY
Up comes Our Dan for his first Kick of the match... STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE POSTS, putting Wales 1 point in the lead at half time!

HALF TIME SCORE: ITALY 13 ~ WALES 14

ITALY v WALES SIX NATIONS SUMMARY ..... PART 2


THE SECOND HALF:

A DIFFERENT WALES CAME OUT FOR THE SECOND HALF!
No! not different players, but with a new determination!

YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE THE PEP TALK THEY HAD IN THE CHANGING ROOM BY THEIR MANAGEMENT!


At 47 Minutes-
Italy concede a penalty to Wales.
Wales Scrum Half RHYS WEBB quickly takes it and sets up Left Winger LIAM WILLIAMS... who finishes it off ...Touching down for a WALES TRY right between the posts.

Dan Biggar Converts. ITALY 13 ~ WALES 21


At 50 MINUTES-
A chip-kick by Italy's Orquera is caught by LIAM WILLIAMS.
He runs, and runs. Then he passes to Right Winger GEORGE NORTH who races over the line. TRY!

DAN BIGGAR Converts, making his goal score 3/3
ITALY 13 ~ WALES 28


AT 54 MINUTES-
Italy have a Lineout on their own 5m line.
They throw in, but it is caught by Wales' ALUN-WYN JONES.
He throws to the Wales boys.
The ball is picked up by DAN LYDIATE. He throws to SAM WARBURTON- to JONATHAN DAVIES- to GEORGE NORTH .... A SECOND TRY FOR GEORGE NORTH and WALES!

Converted again by DAN BIGGAR 4/4
ITALY 13 ~ WALES 35


60 MINUTES... AND IT'S A HAT TRICK FOR GEORGE NORTH!
Expertly converted yet again by Dan Biggar 5/5
ITALY 13 ~ WALES 42


At 65 MINUTES-
Wales have a Lineout 5m from the Italy Tryline.
KEN OWENS has replaced Hooker Scott Baldwin, and he throws in.
The ball is caught by Dan Lydiate's Replacement JUSTIN TIPURIC.

Next the driving maul and the march toward the Tryline.
RHYS WEBB breaks away! He charges through two Italian defenders.. TRY!

This time Dan Biggar misses the Conversion.
ITALY 13 ~ WALES 47



68 MINUTES-
Italy's LUKE McLEAN kicks long. DAN BIGGAR catches the ball. He kicks high.
The ball is caught by LIAM WILLIAMS, but Italy steal..... but they lose it again...
... to SCOTT WILLIAMS (Scott replaced the injured Leigh Halfpenny)

Scott dummies, charges through two Italians. He sends a quick ball to TIPURIC who offloads to SAM WARBURTON.
Sam runs and runs- almost the entire length of the Italian Half..
..AND IT'S A TRY FOR THE WALES CAPTAIN!

This time Dan Biggar does not miss the Conversion!
ITALY 13 ~ WALES 52


WALES IS ON FIRE NOW! :-D :-D :-D


AT 72 MINUTES-
The Italians have a throw in at Lineout at the Wales Tryline. Their hooker throws in, it is caught, but they lose the ball to his Wales Counterpart KEN OWENS.

Ken passes to GARETH DAVIES (Replacement for Scrum Half Rhys Webb)
Gareth passes to replacement RHYS PRIESTLAND- to JON DAVIES who breaks through two Italians.
He finds GARETH DAVIES at his right, who runs and offloads to SCOTT WILLIAMS .... who runs like mad and finishes it off with a TRY with an Italian Defender holding on to his ankle!

DAN BIGGAR CONVERTS - ITALY 13 ~ WALES 61



AT THIS POINT IN TIME... WALES HAVE INCREASED THEIR POINTS DIFFERENCE TO + 60!

SURELY NOW WALES IS IN WITH A REAL CHANCE OF THE TITLE?!


AT 79 MINUTES-
Italy gain the ball..... and LEONARDO SARTO IS AWAY!

He runs the whole length of the pitch with GUGLIELMO PALAZZANI supporting him at his left hand side.
DAN BIGGAR tries to catch him. He throws himself at Palazzini but he cannot get him down. THE CLOCK IS RED and SARTO is over the TRYLINE.


A RAY OF HOPE... IT GOES TO TMO!
Was Sarto's foot in touch before he landed the ball?
Only seconds in it. but the ball was landed!

LUCIANO ORQUERA CONVERTS... AND IT'S ALL OVER

ITALY 20 ~ WALES 61


MAN OF THE MATCH ~ WALES' ALUN-WYN JONES


BBC SPORT - SIX NATIONS REPORT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31953992



A GREAT VICTORY OVER ITALY, BUT...
Wales has now reduced the Points Difference to +53

That is still a great Points Difference Score!


CAN WALES STILL WIN THE TITLE?

SADLY FOR WALES .... NO!:-(

BUT IT WAS A FANTASTIC GAME! :-) :-) :-) :-)


Would they have won, had Italy not scored that last Try and Conversion?

WELL NO.. IT STILL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH!
(Unless Wales would have scored again in the time it took for Italy to score)

The 7 points deducted from Wales' Points Difference took them to +53 points, 10 short of IRELAND's Points difference of +63

Wales would need the extra 4 points to win outright!

THEY WOULD HAVE BEATEN ENGLAND INTO 2nd PLACE THOUGH!


NEVER MIND... ONWARDS AND UPWARDS....

.... THE WORLD CUP ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

FORMER WALES INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS' QUOTES

Following Wales' victory over Italy


SHANE WILLIAMS (BBC1)
Wales 2000 - 2011; Lions 2005; 2009; 2013 .....

" This was one of the best Second Halves I've ever seen in Rugby. The tempo at which Wales played was fantastic!"



BARRY JOHN (Wales On Sunday)
Wales 1966 - 1971; Lions 1968 - 1971 .....

"RHYS WEBB and DAN BIGGAR, for me, have been the BEST HALF-BACK COMBINATIONS in the Championship. If there was a Lions Tour this summer, these two would be the Test 9 and 10!"



GRAHAM PRICE (Wales on Sunday)
Wales 1975 - 1983; Lions 1977 - 1983 .....

" I was delighted ALUN-WYN JONES was awarded MAN OF THE MATCH.
He has been the ENGINE ROOM of the Wales pack for so many games without getting the tangible plaudits"

SCRUM V SIX NATIONS SPECIAL
(Aired Sunday Evening 22nd March 7pm)


Presenter Jason Mohammad asked the panel

WHO, IN THEIR OPINION, WOULD BE THEIR SIX NATIONS MAN OF THE TOURNAMENT?


JONATHAN DAVIES....

Jonathan initially said it was too tough for him to call!
He commended Wales' ALUN-WYN JONES and Ireland's PAUL O'CONNELL as "Outstanding".
He also had praise for England's BEN YOUNGS and GEORGE FORD.

Eventually Jonathan settles on his choice- PAUL O'CONNELL!



MARTYN WILLIAMS....

Martyn's choice was PAUL O'CONNELL.
He said that for a 35 year old to play that way .. "MONUMENTAL!"

"Take Paul O'Connell out of the Irish Pack and I don't think they would have won!... A LEADER OF MEN - SENSATIONAL!"

Martyn also singled out England's BILLY VUNIPOLA's performance in the England v France Game for commendation.


GARETH THOMAS....

Gareth's choice would be Wales' LIAM WILLIAMS.

"Every action that he's done, in every game that he's played in is a POSITIVE ACTION! He has GAINED YARDS ....REGATHERED KICKS. He is really secure under the ball.
With the massive pressure of the expectancy of the back three- for him to come in and every action is positive stands him out!... HE HASN'T PLAYED ONE BAD GAME!"


IF YOU ENJOYED THE SIX NATIONS TOURNAMENT...
..... THIS PROGRAMME IS A MUST SEE!

If you missed it, catch it again on BBC iPlayer

The following link will take you straight to the right page
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05nz2t8/scrum-v-scrum-v-six-nations-special-22032015

Only available for 6 days.


OR...

VOTE FOR YOUR SIX NATIONS 2015 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT

WalesOnlinehttp://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-2015-player-tournament-8900692

LEIGH HALFPENNY

Leigh Halfpenny suffered an horrific injury when he tackled Italy's Samuela Vunisa in Wales' last game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7X4LTBHEQ4


LEIGH WAS TAKEN OFF SUFFERING FROM CONCUSSION

Very worrying



JONATHAN DAVIES IS VERY CONCERNED

This is what he had to say on Scrum V's Six Nations Special


"The one worry that I have about Leigh Halfpenny is the fact that his TACKLING TECHNIQUE IS POOR!.

HE'S AS BRAVE AS THEY COME, he never shirks a tackle, BUT I am slightly worried now- the amount of times I see him put HIS HEAD ON THE WRONG SIDE.

The reason I mention this is because I was watching a documentary on the telly before the game (about bangs to the head) .....

... but if you get proper tackling techniques, you put your head in the right place, and THE WORRY I HAVE WITH LEIGH IS, IF HE GETS MORE and MORE BANGS TO THE HEAD, there is a danger that it's CAREER THREATENING.

A lot of players get bangs to the head and they are told to RETIRE..
..AND THAT WOULD BE A SHAME"


GARETH THOMAS AGREED

"If people break the line at Full Back, especially if it's a Back Rower, they ain't going anywhere apart from STRAIGHT AT YOU!

If you haven't got the right technique, with someone 19 STONE COMING AT YOU, the chances of you STAYING DOWN ON THE GROUND WITH YOUR HEAD BATTERED IS VERY HIGH!"


JONATHAN ADDS

"The last thing we'd want to see is Leigh Halfpenny having to retire!"


THAT GOES FOR RADIO JEM TOO!

The problem seems to be to me, LEIGH PLAYS WITH HIS HEART!
He saw the big man coming, and he just wanted to stop him, for his team and for Wales!


LEIGH... YOU MUST TRAIN UP ON THE TACKLING TECHNIQUES!


WE LOVE YOU <3 ( well, me and Fly do anyway! ;-) )

WE WANT TO SEE YOUR GREAT KICKING FOR A LONG TIME TO COME! ;-)


GET WELL SOON LEIGH! :-) :-) <3