Evans: Ireland can win Grand Slam

FORMER Welsh skipper Ieuan Evans believes Ireland can win the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam, but he is more inclined to back them for a title win than to record a perfect season.

Evans, pointing to other teams who have failed to do the business even with equally talented squads, said it would be a major achievement for Ireland; but an achievement of which they are well capable.

Yet, with so much pride in his native Wales, Evans is drooling at the prospect of a battle of mammoth proportions at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.

He is equally convinced that Wales, with so many of their top players back from the Grand Slam win of 2005, will put it up to the Irish this weekend.

In broad terms, Evans is chuffed that this opening game of the championship weekend could be the defining one, remembering that not so long ago the English and French match was designated for the final game of the season based on belief that it would be the deciding fixture.

He said: “Things have changed.

“Ireland have won two Triple Crowns and Wales a Grand Slam in the last three years. I think that put’s where we have come from, the respective countries, in perspective. We no longer believe we should have to play second-fiddle to England and France.”

In his praise of Ireland, Evans is convinced that his beloved Wales could provide the most serious threat to the lofty ambition of a first Irish Grand Slam since 1948. He is in no doubt that it will be hard for both countries.

He said: “The opening match; it’s sure to be difficult. Ireland could face serious problems; they’re a very good side but this first game could be crucially important and it’s also a huge match for us.”

Elaborating on his excitement that Ireland and Wales could provide the match of the tournament, he said: “Here we are, start of the season; we have two Celtic League teams going for broke and nobody is talking about England or France; it’s about Wales and Ireland. We can go on and on, but the fact of the matter is that two Celtic League teams are now in a position to dominate the whole championship this season.

“We can talk about many things over the last few years, but the fact is that we (Wales) have won a Grand slam and Ireland have won two Triple Crowns, all in the last three years.”

Evans was in Cork this week to help promote the tournament and underpin an allied sponsorship from Ulster Bank, who brought former Irish skippers Keith Wood and Anthony Foley to town for a question and answer lunch at the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

Evans, proud of Wales and anticipating a continuation of Ireland’s good form, has no doubt that one or both sides have the capacity to put bigger countries to the sword.

Evans noted: “There are guys like Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy and Paul O’Connell — all world class players — available for Ireland, guys coming back from injury for Wales — although they still have problems in that area, and in general, it’s all pointing to a pretty exciting game between two high octane sides.”

“It doesn’t matter that Ireland have to travel; they have been there, done that before and, in any event, there is a real rapport between the fans.

It’s going to make for a spectacular occasion,” he said.

As he reflected on the loss of Shane Horgan, he said, “He has been hugely important throughout the autumn series,” Evans pointed to the depth of talent in the Irish squad. “I don’t think there is a better centre partnership in the championship, and any side that can leave Geordan Murphy on the subs bench has to be a good one. They have serious strength in depth.”

Evans hopes that if Ireland win, they go on to achieve what they want from the season. He is aware that the return of Jonny Wilkinson and the availability of former Rugby League player Andy Farrell will boost England’s chances as they seek to put a disappointing run to rest.

But he is sceptical at the same time. He said: “England do have a chance to boost their fortunes, and a new coach can help. Yet, I’m not particularly convinced that they can turn the corner that quickly. We’re hearing nothing but the fact that they can put a recent bad run behind them, but they haven’t exactly made sweeping changes, so we will have to wait and see how they get on.”