WILLIAMS: DON'T WRITE OFF ENGLAND
Wales wing wizard Shane Williams has refused to write off England’s chances in the Six Nations – despite the fact that Martin Johnson’s team have suffered three heavy defeats in the last month.
The International Rugby Board’s recently-crowned player of the year believes that Johnson’s new-look England will soon be up to speed and ready to challenge Wales for their Six Nations crown in the spring.
“There are many new faces but these things take time,” the Ospreys flyer said of England, who were downed by Australia 28-14, South Africa 42-6 and New Zealand 32-6.
“They are a good side, they will win matches and they will soon be much better.”
Williams, 31, believes that this Six Nations will be much more open than last season’s, when victory over Brian Ashton’s England catapulted Wales to glory, and that his side’s recent win over Australia is insignificant.
“Last year was very different – a good second half performance against England gave us the kick up the backside we needed,” he continued. “It gave us the motivation to go through the rest of the Six Nations.
“And we played some good, confident and stylish rugby. But we will have to do more of the same this year if we are to win again.
“Any of the teams are capable of winning the Six Nations and it is not going to be as easy as it was last year.”
Williams came off the bench on Wednesday at Wembley for the Barbarians, who lost 18-11 to Australia, and believes that the gulf between Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams is not as big as many believe.
He added: “We are closing that gap. As Wales showed against Australia, if you do play well against these teams you can win. But I don’t think us beating the Wallabies will bear any reflection on what is going to happen in the Six Nations.”
Wales wing wizard Shane Williams has refused to write off England’s chances in the Six Nations – despite the fact that Martin Johnson’s team have suffered three heavy defeats in the last month.
The International Rugby Board’s recently-crowned player of the year believes that Johnson’s new-look England will soon be up to speed and ready to challenge Wales for their Six Nations crown in the spring.
“There are many new faces but these things take time,” the Ospreys flyer said of England, who were downed by Australia 28-14, South Africa 42-6 and New Zealand 32-6.
“They are a good side, they will win matches and they will soon be much better.”
Williams, 31, believes that this Six Nations will be much more open than last season’s, when victory over Brian Ashton’s England catapulted Wales to glory, and that his side’s recent win over Australia is insignificant.
“Last year was very different – a good second half performance against England gave us the kick up the backside we needed,” he continued. “It gave us the motivation to go through the rest of the Six Nations.
“And we played some good, confident and stylish rugby. But we will have to do more of the same this year if we are to win again.
“Any of the teams are capable of winning the Six Nations and it is not going to be as easy as it was last year.”
Williams came off the bench on Wednesday at Wembley for the Barbarians, who lost 18-11 to Australia, and believes that the gulf between Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams is not as big as many believe.
He added: “We are closing that gap. As Wales showed against Australia, if you do play well against these teams you can win. But I don’t think us beating the Wallabies will bear any reflection on what is going to happen in the Six Nations.”
Labels: England, Martin Johnson, Shaun WIlliams, Wales
