Welshmen to bid for Rugby “grand slam”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 48

Welshmen to bid for Rugby “grand slam”

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS. Wales, bidding for international Rugby’s “grand slam,” has only to draw with France at Colombes Stadium today to be sure of success. It has already gained the “triple crown” by beating England, Ireland and Scotland, and the French stand in its way for the “Five Nations Chamnionshio.”

The game should be fast and open, between a Welsh side with a seemingly invincible pack linked with a determined back division, and a French team noted for its unpredictable brilliance.

The pairing of the fly-half B. John, and the scrum-half, G. O. Edwards, should give Wales the edge. The captain, S. J. Dawes, playing at centre, will start the game embold-

ened by the fact he will lead the British Lions to Australia and New Zealand, taking with him 11 other Welsh players in the 30-strong squad.

The full-back, J. P. R. Williams, has the sort of attack: ing flair that has produced tries in numerous matches, and his catching and positional play are a firm basis for victory. But the French are nothing

if not unpredictable. Their Gallic flair brought them a measure of success against England after R. Hiller had booted his side into a 14-6 lead at half-time. A classic second-half revival by the Frenchmen gave them a well deserved 14-14 draw.

The ability of the whole team to link up in a series of passing movements has always been a feature of French play, and if the forwards can throw the ball about as much as they did against England, then they stand a fair chance of success. Possession, however, is the key-point in any game, and if the fiery Welsh pack can dominate the set pieces, Wales could be champions. SEEKING REVENGE At Edinburgh, team, beaten by one point in its Calcutta Cup match against Scotland last week, has the chance for revenge at Murrayfield. It faces Scotland in a match

to mark the centenary of the English Rugby Union. The first Rugby game between England and Scotland was played at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, on March 27, 1871. Scotland, out to score a third successive win over England—it won last year, as well as last Saturday at Twickenham—fields an unchanged side, which means that the newcomers, Q. Dunlop (hooker) and A. Brown (full-back) win their second caps. MATCH-WINNING BOOT

England, however, has made two changes from last Saturday’s defeated side. The recall of the busy, aggressive N. Starmer-Smith at scrumhalf should give its backs the boost they need.

The other change is at lock where the Birmingham policeman, N. Horton, loses his place to a new cap, C. Ralston from Richmond. Ralston, a youthful, rangy player, should succeed in the lineouts, a section of England’s play found lacking last Satur-

day. But the key to the match could once again lie with the inimitable Hiller, at full-back for England. Hiller has scored all but three of England's 38 points in the last three games, and his big-match temperament should pay dividends at : Murrayfield. Marais not to tour (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PORT ELIZABETH. The Springbok forward, H. Marais, confirmed that he will not be available to tour Australia with the South African side in June. The 29-year-old prop said he had decided to devote his time this winter to studying. He will, however, be available for France’s tour of South Africa, which begins in May. Marais, who has 24 Springbok caps, will leave for England next week to play in the English Rugby Union centenary matches.