Will Greenwood: Six Nations glory is not a hysterical pipe dream

It’s in your hands: Jonny Wilkinson and Co need to start believing in themselves again

Greenwood was a key member of the 2003 World Cup winners but is now a respected critic, a role that has seen him lumped together with every other ex-player or media type pointing out the deficiencies of the current England coaching and playing set-up.

Johnson has dismissed much of the criticism that followed the defeats by New Zealand and Australia and a scrappy victory over Argentina as "ridiculous" and "hysterical".

However, Greenwood is still concerned by England's lack of attacking flair and guile and is calling for action from the management before the team's next match, against Wales at Twickenham, on 6 February.

"There will be guys coming back from injury by the Six Nations and, with England having Wales and Ireland at home, we have to go in thinking we can win the title," he said.

"The England coaches have to believe this, exude that confidence and get the players looking more comfortable. When you think Jonny Wilkinson, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye and Delon Armitage, you say: 'Yes, come on'.

"This is the most frustrating thing for the older, so-called hysterical players because we look down the squad list in the backs and forwards and ask: 'Why have we looked so ponderous?' There isn't any personal agenda here - it's the frustration being generated.

"This England squad can do well in the Six Nations and we just need something to get us out of our seats. I know rugby is about winning but you need that excitement."

Although Johnson reacted badly to the flak, Greenwood insists criticisms were made for the right reasons.

"I've been in a dressing room when things haven't been going well and it's not nice," said the 37-year-old.

"People are not criticising for fun, it's because we know there is a way out and we want it to come sooner rather than later."

Greenwood will be one of thousands of fans on their feet applauding rugby brilliance at Twickenham tomorrow, when the Barbarians take on New Zealand for the MasterCard Trophy.

While the former Harlequins centre accepts the match is not a "normal" international, he believes England could learn a thing or two from the ambition that will be shown.

Greenwood (right), who scored 31 tries in 55 Tests, said: "England haven't looked comfortable in the clothes they have been wearing as individuals or as a unit.

"There isn't a massive amount of difference in terms of quick ball the various teams have won. However, players like those at Twickenham tomorrow will go for the jugular and it's frightening - their conversion rate of chances created and finished is the most damaging one."

The Barbarians backs include Springbok flyer Bryan Habana, Australian No10 Matt Giteau, All Black wing Joe Rokocoko and Lions centre Jamie Roberts to highlight the talent being unleashed on a New Zealand side that defeated France last weekend.

"November has been a depressing time for Northern Hemisphere teams - Ireland apart - and when I looked at the squad assembled by the Babarians I nearly fell off my chair because it could be the game we have been waiting for in terms of mouthwatering prospects.

"I would pay good money just to train with these guys," added Greenwood.

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Wales’ Six Nations matches to join TV ‘Crown Jewels’

SIX NATIONS rugby matches involving Wales should be broadcast free to air, a top-level report will recommend today.

But while most people in Wales will welcome the news, the WRU fears it could lead to a damaging reduction in revenue that will end its ability to fund the game at the grassroots.

David Davies, the former executive director of the English Football Association, has led an inquiry into whether there should be a change in a list of so-called “Crown Jewels” – sporting events which must be available on free terrestrial TV.

Among the inquiry’s recommendations when the report is published today will be one that, because of the overwhelming interest in Wales’ Six Nations matches – with around seven in 10 households tuning in – they should be put on the Crown Jewels list. The other home nations would not be covered by the ruling because their viewing threshold is not considered high enough.

Currently the list includes such events as the FA Cup Final, the football World Cup and the Olympics. Although Six Nations rugby has not been on the list up to now, the BBC currently holds the contract to broadcast the matches and they are therefore available to all with a TV set.

There have been fears, however, that Sky could win a future contract, forcing people to buy a Sky package if they want to see the matches. The latest contract negotiated between the WRU and the BBC will begin next year and run until 2013. After that, if Wales’ Six Nations matches are added to the Crown Jewels list, Sky would be excluded from the bidding process.

Reports suggest that home qualifying matches for the football World Cup and European Championships should also be on the list, as should Ashes cricket test matches.

A spokesman for the WRU would last night only say: “We haven’t yet seen the report and await its publication with interest. If rugby is affected, we will be leaving any response to the appropriate body, which is the Six Nations Committee.”

Privately, however, senior executives at the WRU are seriously concerned at the potential impact of the Crown Jewels recommendation on the grassroots game.

Without Sky as a potential bidder, they believe the BBC would be able to strike a harder bargain, resulting in less revenue for the WRU. That, they believe, would force them to cut the support currently given to the great majority of the 241 clubs that play in the lower leagues.

In June, when AMs debated the issue at the Senedd, Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones confirmed that the Assembly Government wanted Six Nations matches to be added to the Crown Jewels.

The current Sky Ashes deal is worth £300m, and similar fears have been expressed by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The British Open golf tournament and the whole of Wimbledon are also expected to be classed as events of “special national resonance”.

Reacting to the decision to put the home football qualifying matches on the list, Gordon Smith, chief executive of the Scottish FA, said it demonstrated a lack of understanding.

“The games should be free to air – well it sounds great, it’s very populist in terms of the actual impact of it and I can understand that,” he said. “But from our point of view we think it would be disastrous for the game in terms of what we put into the game in Scotland.”

The majority of Mr Davies’ review is likely to be rubber stamped, including plans to abolish the so-called B list of events, highlights of which must be shown on terrestrial TV. Sporting fixtures like the Winter Olympics, the Derby, the Ryder Cup, Cricket World Cup and the World Athletics Championships could find themselves de-listed.

Despite the potential loss of exposure, some believe these events could potentially benefit from deals with pay TV.

“If you can negotiate bigger deals by not being on the list, arguably you have more funds to put back into the sports and create a better spectacle on the ground,” said brand expert Chris Lightfoot. “That in turn provides sponsors with other opportunities and benefits.”

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Gethin Jenkins takes over as Wales captain from injured Ryan Jones

Prop takes charge in crucial Cardiff Test against Australia.Gethin Jenkins will lead Wales against Australia after Ryan Jones failed to overcome a back strain suffered during weight training.

Gethin Jenkins will tomorrow become Wales's fourth captain this year after Ryan Jones pulled out of the side with a back strain sustained while weight training this week. The last time the Lions prop led his country was the match before Warren Gatland took over as head coach at the end of 2007 and he was overlooked when Jones missed two Six Nations matches this year; the armband went first to Martyn Williams and then to Alun Wyn Jones.

Jenkins's elevation is an indication of the importance that Wales, for all the talk of running rugby and providing a spectacle for spectators at the end of the international year, are placing on the scrum. As captain, he will be in regular contact with the referee, Wayne Barnes, and the set piece has become the second most contentious issue in the game after the ruck.

No one feared Australia's scrum a couple of years ago, but Wales, who have got away with playing Paul James out of position at tighthead this month, now rank it as the best in the world and an obstacle to a fourth win over Australia in the last five meetings in Cardiff. The Wallabies have become streetwise in the tight, as they showed at Twickenham when the prop Benn Robinson collapsed a scrum near England's line but won the penalty to give his side a lead they were not to lose, but they have fallen off in other areas and defeat tomorrow would be their eighth of the year, equalling the worst international campaigns, 1958 and 2005, in their 110-year history.

It is a day when the top six of the world rankings are in action against each other. Australia start the afternoon in third, but they will drop out of the top five for the first time if they lose to Wales by more than 15 points and results in Marseille and Dublin go the way of the Six Nations sides.

Robbie Deans, the Australia coach, has come under pressure after his side, which finished at the bottom of the Tri-Nations, lost to Scotland last week despite dominating possession. Their running instincts may run counter to the prevailing trend of kicking and chasing, but the average age of today's side is 24 and if the International Rugby Board finds some way of restoring the balance between attack and defence at the breakdown, the Wallabies will be well placed next year when the countdown to the 2011 World Cup will start ticking loudly.

Wales are upwardly mobile having recovered from the ignominy of failing to make the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup, but it will be a defining evening for them. Since winning the grand slam, they have lost to South Africa three times, New Zealand twice and France and Ireland once. Their only major victims in 2009 are England, hardly the scalp it used to be.

Robert Howley, the Wales attack coach, conceded that the ugliest of victories would do, never mind the concerns that professional rugby union is becoming unwatchable. So for all the mutual backslapping in the build-up that the two sides are the most creative and adventurous in their respective tournaments, the need for victory may curb any desire to finish the year on an aesthetic high.

Wales will miss Ryan Jones, who has rediscovered his best form this season. Andy Powell moves to No8, with Dan Lydiate, who is 22 next month, coming off the bench to take over at blindside flanker after winning his first cap as a replacement against Argentina last week. Two years ago this month, Lydiate feared he would never walk again after breaking his neck playing for Newport Gwent Dragons in Perpignan.

"Pulling on the Wales jersey is like putting on armour for battle," he said. "You almost feel like Superman." He will be up against the Australia captain, Rocky Elsom, regarded as a superhero by Leinster supporters last season and if Wales have the more prolific finishers, the Wallabies have the edge up front and in the back row. Wales talk about owning the sky and kicking is likely to prevail, but the day will surely come again when players are encouraged to reach for the sky, not just because that is where the ball will be coming from.

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Wales “relishing” start of Six Nations insists Rob Howley

ROB HOWLEY last night insisted bruised Wales are “relishing” starting their bid for Six Nations glory against England.

The former Wales captain spoke out as the inquest continued into a stuttering autumn campaign, which concluded with a hugely disappointing 33-12 loss to Australia on Saturday.

Howley, Warren Gatland’s attack coach, is adamant that Twickenham on February 6 is the perfect place for Wales to rediscover the form which saw them crowned 2008 Grand Slam kings.

It was at the headquarters of English rugby in February 2008 that Wales produced a stunning second-half fightback to overhaul the Red Rose and sow the seeds of European dominance.

“We will be working flat out to ensure our game is right for Twickenham,” vowed Howley.

“The management and the players are relishing the challenge that lies in wait for us.

“We aim to bounce back from the disappointing defeat against Australia.

“International rugby is all about momentum and it was our win at Twickenham two seasons ago which triggered the Grand Slam.”

That was the opening match of the Gatland era and Wales won at Twickenham for the first time since 1988 after staging a miraculous second-half recovery.

“There’s no better place than Twickenham to generate momentum,” said Howley.

“On paper it looks like it’s going to be a wide-open championship, so it’s essential we start well.

“We know England are going to be a hard side to beat on their patch, but we have every confidence in what our players are capable of doing.”

Howley did not use the glut of injuries which have afflicted Wales as a factor in the autumn performances.

“It was disappointing to have them but it was important for us to blood players like Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Jonathan Davies, Dan Biggar and Tom James,” he said.

“You are always going to get injuries in international rugby and it’s essential we develop strength in depth in our squad with the World Cup coming up in New Zealand in 2011

“Of course, we would like to have everybody fit and well for every match, but the game is so physical and intense nowadays it rarely happens.”

Nevertheless, there is potentially some good news for concerned Welsh supporters with the return of three key players not far off.

Full-back Lee Byrne is on target to return to action this month for the Ospreys’ Heineken Cup tie against Italian side Viadana.

Tight-head prop Adam Jones, whose presence at the scrum was missed during the autumn series, is also close to playing again after an operation on the dislocated shoulder he suffered for the Lions against South Africa.

And Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips hasn’t been ruled out of the Six Nations opener, despite major ankle surgery which initially seemed set to keep him out for four months.

There is a possibility that Phillips might be fit enough to get a couple of matches under his belt for the Ospreys before the clash with England.

Mark Jones, who was forced to drop out of the autumn squad with a knee injury, might also make the Six Nations kick-off.

ROB HOWLEY is a Heineken ambassador. Heineken are proud to be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Heineken Cup, the best club rugby competition in the world.

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England can win Six Nations says Lawrence Dallaglio

Lawrence Dallaglio believes England can win the 2010 Six Nations despite two defeats in their three autumn Tests.

The former England captain told BBC Sport that Martin Johnson's men can challenge France, who he believes will start favourites in a post-Lions year.

"This may surprise a few people, but in my view England will probably go on and win the Six Nations," said Dallaglio.

"They'll certainly be competitive. France may be difficult and the team to beat, but I think England can go well."

England open their Six Nations campaign at home to Wales on 6 February and also host defending champions Ireland, with trips to Italy, Scotland and - on the final day - France.

"I think England are good enough to win the Six Nations, but that is not good enough to become the best team in the world," Dallaglio added.

Johnson received the backing of Rugby Football Union chairman Martyn Thomas in the wake of Saturday's 19-6 defeat by New Zealand, but Dallaglio's bold prediction for the Six Nations must rank beyond most England supporters' expectations.

Criticism of the manner in which England are playing their rugby have centred on the coaching staff at Johnson's disposal.

A perceived difference in philosophy between attack coach Brian Smith and forwards coach John Wells was vigorously denied by Smith and scrummaging coach Graham Rowntree, with Smith adamant the coaches are "a united ship".

Johnson reiterated his satisfaction with his coaches after Saturday's match, insisting they had "done a brilliant job" and remained his preferred personnel for the Six Nations.

But Dallaglio suggested his World Cup-winning team-mate may need to think again.

"England rattled the feathers of New Zealand for quite a long time but what we need to add is that creativity, that skill, that guile," Dallaglio added. "One try in three games is not going to be good enough to become the best team in the world.

"When you start with a team, there are going to be passengers and casualties along the way. Sometimes they are players and sometimes they are coaches.

"We need to inject more creativity and that may mean looking at his coaching staff. They need to be more adventurous with their style of play."

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Rees in Six Nations fitness race

Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees faces a race against time to be fit for Wales' 6 February Six Nations start against England at Twickenham.

He will be out for at least three months after suffering a groin tear in Saturday's 33-12 loss to Australia.

Wales and the Scarlets say the extent of Rees' injury is unknown.

Scarlets senior medical officer Mark Ridgewell said: "I would not expect him [Rees] to be available for at least the next 12 weeks."

Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies added: "It is fair to say there is a strong likelihood that he will be requiring surgery and we will know more once that surgery has been undertaken."

Scarlets boss Nigel Davies said: Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: "The injury will rule him out for a while but we have belief in the strength and depth of the squad this season.

"As I have said already, it is frustrating for us to have key players side-lined, but it's rugby - we will pick up injuries and we have to be realistic and pragmatic about that."

Rees joined Ospreys wing Shane Williams and Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny in being injured against the Wallabies and was replaced by Osprey Huw Bennett.

British and Irish Lion Rees joined fellow Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones (shoulder) and wing Mark Jones in suffering injuries while on Wales duty.

Scarlets skipper Mark Jones damaged a knee in training ahead of the November opener against New Zealand, the 19-12 defeat in which his flanker namesake was injured.

Mark and Dafydd are not expected to return to action until early February, ruling them out of contention for Wales places against England at Twickenham on 6 February.

Back-three player Morgan Stoddart is also out of action until mid-December due to a hamstring strain suffered training with Wales as wing Jones' replacement.

Williams damaged a hamstring and Halfpenny suffered a dead leg in Wales' 33-12 defeat by Australia.

Williams will be out for up to six weeks but Halfpenny is expected to fit for selection for the Blues' clash against Connacht at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.

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Wales won’t press panic button insists Gethin Jenkins

GETHIN Jenkins is adamant there’s no need for Warren Gatland to press the panic button ahead of the Six Nations.

Cardiff Blues star Jenkins was appointed Wales coach Gatland’s stand-in skipper at the weekend against Australia following the late withdrawal of No 8 Ryan Jones with back trouble.

But the loose-head prop was unable to prevent Wales slumping to a 33-12 Millennium Stadium caning from the Wallabies.

However, despite Wales’ indifferent autumn – wins over Samoa and Argentina and defeats to New Zealand and Australia – Jenkins maintained the only road is up.

“I don’t think there’s too much panic,” said the 29-year-old. “We have not had a completely wasted campaign, we have had two wins out of four (matches).

“We have to look where we went wrong and improve on it.

“We have to pick ourselves up now and look forward to the Six Nations.”

But Lions ace Jenkins did admit the return of the cavalry – players of the ilk of Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips and Adam Jones – would lift Welsh morale ahead of the Six Nations opener with England at Twickenham on February 6.

“The boys who have come in did a job,” he said.

“Hopefully, we will have a few key players back we have been missing.

“We have got to stick together and play the best we can,” he said.

“We are all disappointed when we lose. These are the biggest games you can play, so to speak, against the top three southern hemisphere teams.

“That’s where we want to be tested. We have got a lot of hard work to do.

“I would say we are a bit behind the top three (New Zealand, South Africa and Australia) at the moment.

“That’s where we want to be, competing against those top three teams on a week to week basis.”

Even though Wales failed to take a Tri-Nations scalp this autumn, Jenkins reckoned they would be better for the experience of playing them on a regular basis over the next year.

“I think we will be quite a bit stronger when it comes to the Six Nations,” he said.

But he added that not having the chance to rectify the sub-standard performance against Australia until the England match was “tough”.

“I thought we just got outplayed from the minute we went on the field,” he said of the clash with the Wallabies.

“We did not see it coming; we played pretty well the previous three games but I think Australia just showed us how to win an international rugby match.

“We weren’t at the races. We know the calibre of player they have, the quality of backs they have but we are disappointed with ourselves because we let them play.

“We were very lethargic. That first 30 minutes we did not get into their faces at all. Teams obviously know the way we play but we back ourselves and our game-plan to use people with the skill we have got to break them down.

“Their defence was outstanding. We could not break them down.

“We made lots of mistakes first half and you can’t win a game making that many mistakes.

“We definitely missed a lot of tackles. At half-time we looked at the scoreboard and we were still in the game despite making that many mistakes.”

Wales trailed 23-11 but failed to added another point despite seemingly being aided by some favourable decisions from English referee Wayne Barnes.

The Wallabies pressed their cruise control button, kicking frequently as the closed the game out.

“Second half, we couldn’t turn it around,” lamented Jenkins, before discussing Wales’ scrummaging problems against an impressively powerful Australian pack.

“We struggled a bit. They are one of the best in the world,” he said.

Jenkins admitted switching to tight-head prop from loosehead with more than 30 minutes remaining was difficult for him.

“Yes, I have done it in the past but it was tough. There was quite a few scrums,” he said.

“The players were very down after the game but you would expect that.”

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IS IT TIME ENGLAND BROUGHT CIPRINI IN FROM THE COLD

JONNY WILKINSON’S position as England’s unopposed fi rst choice fly-half is under threat with Danny Cipriani making his long awaited return to action. Cipriani – just 21 – was once hailed as the next star of the English gamebut controversy, loss of form and injury have delayed his confirmation as a world star.
Danny Cipriani is ready to put his frustrations behind him

He showed his class guiding his country to a spectacular 33-10 drubbing of Ireland in the 2008 Six Nations Championships but has not been able to build on that.

He starts on the bench today as a late call-up for Wasps as they take on Leicester at Adams Park.

England could do with Cipriani’s brand of magic as they are now playing some of their dullest rugby in years. If he could show the form that had fans on the edge of their seats when he first broke into the Red Rose side, then England would have genuine competition at fly-half.

Questions are being asked about Wilkinson, who is no longer seen as the ringmaster he once was.

But, like England skipper Steve Borthwick, he is currently seen as an untouchable – but Cipriani could force England head coach Martin Johnson into a selection dilemma over the next few weeks.

The Wilkinson of 2009 – not the creative Wilkinson of 2003 – appears to suit England’s game plan of kicking the ball long and waiting for mistakes, rather than keeping the ball in hand and setting stadiums alight.

Cipriani’s Wasps team-mate and best friend Paul Sackey believes that he is the kind of fl air player that England are crying out for. Sackey points out that even though Cipriani can kick the ball, he does look to try to make magic
before hoofing it 50 metres. Sackey said: “Cips is an unbelievable talent.

Even though he does kick, he is always one of those guys who looks to run before he kicks. But you have got to play to the way you’re told.

“Like Wilkinson, Danny is an amazing player and I think at the moment England are missing fl air, which Cipriani brings. “England have got very good players but they are missing someone who makes you sit on the
edge of your seat and do something special.”

Cipriani has been out of action since early October with a hairline fracture in his right leg and a chest infection but is looking to put his frustrations behind him. Sackey, who is himself returning to fitness from a broken leg that caused him to miss the British Lions tour in the summer, believes that kicking should be the last resort for any team.

“At the moment rugby is a kicking game. We have been told that first and foremost we need to
kick. Whereas I feel you only kick when there is absolutely nothing on,” he said.

“That’s how I feel English rugby is going at the moment, it’s just boot it down the fi eld, we are not looking to put any phases together, we are playing it very safe.”


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Firing Wasps good for England: Oval Talks

Wasps' defeat of Leicester offered further proof that the 'London' club are close to putting the problems of last season behind them - it could also point to a brighter future for England.

For what it's worth, OT had the Tigers down to win at Adams Park, such has been the champions' form since the return of their England internationals and the return to fitness of playmaker Toby Flood.

That they did not show how Tony Hanks has turned things around at Wasps after their struggles in the league last season when they lost seven of their first 10 games.

Fifth place, just a point off the top four with a game in hand, is not a bad place for Hanks's side to be midway through the season, and probably one they would have settled for at the start of the campaign.

But more importantly for OT are the portents Wasps' form could have for England in the 2009-10 Six Nations and, a little further down the line, the 2011 World Cup.

A strong Wasps team is important for England: not just because they have some of the most talented players in the Premiership, but also because of their approach to the game.

In an ideal world where all players were fit, it is conceivable that Wasps could provide up to eight players to England's matchday squad for their opening Six Nations clash with Wales on February 6.

Clearly, that will not be the case. Phil Vickery, Tom Rees and Jason Hobson will still be recovering from injury, while England's selectors have not yet seen the light when it comes to hooker Rob Webber and scrum-half Joe Simpson, or managed the international careers of Danny Cipriani and Tom Varndell with any degree of skill.

But there is every chance that Simon Shaw, Joe Worsley, Paul Sackey (pictured) and Tim Payne will be involved in one form or another against Wales, and the number of Wasps representatives could increase by the end of the championship if they continue their form and the recuperation of their injured players goes well.

At their best, Wasps bring an attacking approach to the Premiership that few teams have been able to match over the past few seasons (with the obvious exception of 2008-09) and a return to those heights can only be a good thing for England.

The 10-12 axis of Jonny Wilkinson and Shane Geraghty was one of the most disappointing aspects of England's autumn campaign. It promised so much, but patently failed to deliver. Can anyone remember one moment when the two combined to great effect?

Okay, so it was a new combination and they were up against the likes of world beaters Dan Carter, Matt Giteau and Ma'a Nonu, but there was a strong sense the England management had tried to crowbar two fly-halves into their backline.

So what better time for Flood to be showing his full array of skills for Leicester? OT has never been convinced of Flood's international credentials, but he's made a big difference at Welford Road since his return from injury and - this could be crucial - is comfortable taking a flat ball.

The problem is that Flood also plays fly-half for his club, which leaves England with three decent stand-offs and a lack of a proven international inside centre - until, that is, Riki Flutey is available again.

Inside centre has been a problem position for England since the retirement of Will Greenwood and, to a lesser degree, Mike Catt and much now relies on Flutey's ability to add much-needed direction to their backline.

OT would go so far as to say that England's chances of a decent Six Nations now rest firmly on the shoulders of the Brive centre.

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Wales hope to increase Six Nations momentum against Australia

Barring a collapse at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday against an Australia side battling fatigue and injuries, Wales will for the first time since the middle of the 1980s start the Six Nations in February as favourites to defeat England at Twickenham.

It is a measure not just of England's decline but of Wales's improvement since Warren Gatland took over as head coach two years ago. They have this month asked New Zealand and Argentina more questions than England managed and victory over Australia would leave them close to breaking into the top five of the world rankings.

When Wales won at Twickenham last year for the first time since 1988 they were not expected to do so with the home side playing their first game since reaching the 2007 World Cup final, a tournament in which Wales fell at the group stage. "We have never been favourites in all the years I have played at Twickenham," said the Wales flanker Martyn Williams, who made his first appearance at the ground in 1998. "If we beat Australia, it would give us momentum to take into the Six Nations, although there is a lot of rugby to be played before then.

"England have come under some pressure this month, but I never expected New Zealand to blow them away last Saturday. England have a number of players of real quality and have had a number of guys out with injuries. With their strength in depth, it is only a matter of time before they click but we are at the stage now where we have to go to a place like Twickenham believing we can win.""The quality of players we have on the bench and in reserve is greater than in any of the previous years I have been involved. We targeted four victories out of four this month and it was bitterly disappointing to come up just short against the All Blacks. The Wales squad is an exciting place to be at the moment and we have to go out and perform against Australia."

The Wallabies limped into Cardiff yesterday after their 9-8 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield and a performance that had them labelled an international laughing stock back in Australia. Six players are struggling with injuries and they have had to include seven of the starting line-up in Edinburgh in the 22 for tomorrow night's match against Cardiff Blues.

"Australia is a defining game for us," said the Wales attack coach, Robert Howley. "Everyone will appreciate that we beat them last year and coming into this match, we would like to think we are the favourites. The Wallabies will be disappointed at their lack of finishing power last weekend, but they are an incisive side with a number of world-class players.

"It will be a huge afternoon for us. We stepped up against Argentina last Saturday, climbed two places to sixth in the world rankings and we want to go into the Six Nations with the scalp of a top southern hemisphere team. Both sides like to play with the ball in hand and it could well be the game of the month."

Wales name their side tomorrow but Dwayne Peel will play at scrum-half with Gareth Cooper, the player who started in the position against Argentina, released to play for the Blues tomorrow, along with Williams's understudy at open-side wing forward, Sam Warburton. The centre, Tom Shanklin, is fit again after missing out on the weekend with a nose injury.

The Australia coach, Robbie Deans, warned Wales not to expect dispirited opponents to turn up on Saturday. The Wallabies have won only one of their three matches against the home unions this month after losing to New Zealand in Tokyo and he laid into the squad after a first defeat to Scotland in 27 years.

"We have another opportunity against Wales and we are fortunate to do so because it would have been tough to chew on that last effort," he said. "There is really not much involved in turning things round. We got over the line three times against Scotland and it is a question of taking that first step. I have never known a more shattered shed [dressing room] than last Saturday: it was a team that knew they had contributed to their own demise in every way possible."

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* Sport * England rugby league team Harlequins' Brian McDermott signals intent for England coaching job • 'I would love the England job,'

The Harlequins coach, Brian McDermott, has become the first man to express interest in leading England to the 2013 World Cup. "I would love the England job," McDermott told the BBC. "Why would I not want to coach my country? That is your goal in life."

The former Bradford and Great Britain prop has bucked the recent trend after two of the initial favourites for the position left vacant by Tony Smith's resignation following the Gillette Four Nations series, Mike Ford and John Kear, last week stressed that they are happy in their current roles, and Smith's former assistant Steve McNamara sat on the fence.

The Rugby Football League revealed today that it has received "around half a dozen" expressions of interest.

"The timeline is not as important as getting the right person or indeed combination of people," said Nigel Wood, the RFL's chief executive.

At the RFL's end-of-season media briefing, Wood and the chairman, Richard Lewis, refused to answer questions about the Crusaders' expected move from South Wales to Wrexham for their second Super League season because of "commercial sensitivity". But Lewis dismissed a suggestion that the other Super League clubs would have to approve such a divisive move. "It's a matter for the RFL unless there is a breach of their licence, and where they play wouldn't be a breach of the licence," he said.

However, Wood confirmed that the RFL may finally be in a position to act on the Welsh club's breach of visa regulations which led to six of their Australian players being served with deportation papers last August. "We have been waiting for confirmation from the [UK] Borders Agency that they had concluded their enquiries," he said. "That has only just been received so we're at liberty to commence any kind of rugby league specific inquiry, which we will be doing."

A spokeswoman for the UKBA said today that the Crusaders would not face a criminal prosecution but could face a fine of "up to £60,000 unless they can prove to the agency that they carried out legally-required checks before employing workers from outside Europe".

Huddersfield have confirmed the signing of Graeme Horne, a 24-year-old utility player who has made more than 100 Super League appearances for Hull, on a one-year contract. The prop Paul King is also expected to leave the KC Stadium to link up with Kear at Wakefield as a replacement for James Stosic, who has been released by Trinity after failing to secure a Macedonian passport that would have exempted from the club's overseas quota.

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One on one with Drew Mitchell ( Six Nations hospitality)

In an exclusive interview, Planet Rugby chatted to Barbarians full-back and Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell about facing the All Blacks at Twickenham, holidays in Hawaii, Australia's future prospects, the Super 14 and those moustaches.

With just one game left in London before shipping off on holiday, we caught up with Mitchell before his final training session with the Barbarians.

Planet Rugby: G'day Drew, thanks for taking some time out from getting to know your new Barbarian team-mates to have a chat with us. How has the preparation for Saturday gone so far?

Drew Mitchell: It's been good. A lot of it has been just getting to know all the guys. That's what it's like when you play for the Barbarians but we're hoping to put a few things together and be competitive.

PR: I'm sure your expecting plenty of good service from a pair of quality centres (Jamie Roberts and Jaque Fourie).

DM: Ah yeah, well the whole back-line is looking pretty good. I mean you've got Fourie du Preez and Matt Giteau in the half-backs and you don't get much better than that. Bryan Habana and Joe Rokocoko on the wings are pretty good too!

PR: Even though you've been picked at full-back for Saturday's game, would it be fair to say you see your future with the Wallabies on the wing?

DM:Yeah, well I think that's what Robbie has in mind for me. I'm comfortable in both positions, in fact I rather enjoy playing at full-back sometimes. Often for Australia I play at full-back for parts of games anyway. Adam Ashley-Cooper and I have a really good understanding of each other so it normally works out quite well.

PR: With Zac Guildford and Ben Smith on the wings on Saturday, the All Blacks back three is a little short of Test experience on a big occasion like this - is that something you'll try to exploit?

DM: To be honest we haven't really had time to look at that sort of thing. We've only been together for week, so we've just been concentrating on our own stuff, getting to know each other and the calls... and some of the moves. Obviously we've spent some time on rugby specific aspects but mainly we've just been concentrating on our own game rather than the All Blacks.

PR: A lot has been said about some players from the southern hemisphere looking a little flat after a long season. You must be looking forward to your holiday?

DM: Yeah, I'm really looking forward to putting my feet up. We've been playing almost nonstop since January so a break will be very welcome. I've got a ticket booked straight to Hawaii from here so that should be good.

PR: Right, Movember is finally over, so here comes the toughest question of the year. Who had the best and worst 'taches?

DM: Oh, a couple of guys made a real effort. But I reckon Richard Graham - the Wallabies skills coach - had the best. It got really thick and bushy. As for the worst... I'd have to say definitely Adam Ashley Cooper. It was just sort of fluff and his lip, it wasn't really a moustache, it looked like two caterpillars lying on his lip.

PR:What about Australia's trip in general, you've had a couple of ups and downs. Do you think the tour can be called a success?

DM: I think so. There was a lot of talk about the Grand Slam and emulating the 1984 team which added some pressure. It was obviously disappointing to draw in Ireland and lose in a one-pointer to Scotland. But we won in England and Wales, where we played well, so yes.

PR: There were some reports of some tension in the Australia setup, were there any unhappy campers?

DM: Not that I'm aware of. You get pretty close to guys and lot happens when you're on tour for five or six weeks so you'd hear about it if something happened. I can honestly say I can't think of anyone who was unhappy.

PR: Sorry to have to do this to you, I'm sure you've been asked the same question a hundred times, but what happened in Scotland.

DM: Ah, it was just one of those days. We created plenty of opportunities. Rocky's try was disallowed, I went over off a forward pass...but in the end the Scots defended really well and scrambled back, so credit to them.

PR: Who were your toughest opponents in November? You lost to Scotland but it was more a case of you losing it than them winning - so who do reckon were the best?

DM: Ireland have a very well balanced team. Their results speak for themselves.

PR:You're joining up with the Waratahs when you head back home. They'll be your third Super 14 franchise in four years. Has it been a struggle to find stability?

DM: No, on the contrary. My dad was in the military so we moved around a lot so I'm used to that. If anything, moving away from Perth means I'll be closer to my friends and family, so I'll probably have some more stability.

PR: Do you think the team from Melbourne will be competitive in the Super 15?

DM: Yeah, I think they will. Obviously I think there will have to be some flexibility in terms of allowing overseas players to join them. Considering the depth of Australian rugby it's not realistic to expect them to fill up the team from only Australian players. So hopefully they can get some players from the northern hemisphere and elsewhere to join them. But they'll definitely have plenty of support. They really love their rugby in Melbourne so that shouldn't be a problem.

PR: What about the World Cup in 2011? A lot of people have said that all this Australian team needs is a few years together before they become world beaters. What do you reckon?

DM: Well I hope so. I think we've got the players for it but we're going to have to learn to close games out from winning situations. That's been our problem this year so we need to start getting into a habit of winning.

PR: Thanks mate, enjoy your game tomorrow and have a good holiday.

DM: Sure. No Worries, cheers.

- Drew Mitchell uses the King of Shaves Razor, the first British designed, engineered and manufactured razor in over 100 years.

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