Wales to play for 'Merv the Swerve'
The death of Welsh icon Mervyn Davies will further motivate Wales when they play France on Saturday with the Grand Slam up for grabs, according to attack coach Rob Howley.
Davies, who captained Wales to a Grand Slam in 1976 and was a member of the British Lions sides that won series in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa three years later, died Friday after a long illness at the age of 65.
The former London Welsh and Swansea No.8 won 38 caps for Wales and played in eight Tests for the Lions, and Howley was in no doubt at how high the affectionally dubbed 'Merv the swerve' rated.
"It's a sad day for Welsh rugby and we, the management and players, send out sincere condolences to the family," Howley said.
"His presence was a colossus: to only lose nine times as a player when he played for Wales ... and to play eight Tests for the Lions, in 1971 and 1974, he's an icon of world rugby.
"It gives us even more motivation for tomorrow [Saturday], which will hopefully be a great day for Welsh rugby. He's a great, it's emotional."
Turning to the match against Philippe Saint-Andre's France, which Wales must win to claim a third Grand Slam in eight seasons, Howley said they were expecting a strong visiting side.
"It's important we go out and play, play without any fear. We know we're up against a very good French side, and we expect them to come and play. They've got a huge amount of talent," the former Wales scrum-half and captain said.
"France have showed excellent glimpses when they play with ball in hand."
Howley lauded Wales' blend of experience, notably in the front row of Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees, scrumhalf Mike Phillips and lock Ian Evans, who all played in the 2008 Grand Slam, with the "new kids on the block" such as captain Sam Warburton, fellow back row forwards Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate, and wings George North and Alex Cuthbert.
"There are players who haven't got that baggage of losing games. The confidence and self-belief from the World Cup, we've gained a hell of a lot," he said of the tournament in New Zealand, where France beat Wales in the semifinal.
"The one thing's that special about this side is that they find a way to win... [they have] a sort of mental toughness which has been lacking in sides over the last couple of decades.
"The Poland [cryotherapy] camps have given us that self-belief, confidence and fitness to back ourselves in dogged situations.
"We feel we've been in a good place in the championship," he said. "We have to be accurate under pressure. I'm sure it'll be a great game to watch."
Howley picked the duel between the back row forwards, whom he dubbed as "six connoisseurs of world rugby", as the most mouth-watering component of the game.
"They have all the ingredients of ball carriers, physicality, the tackling element, the aerial and line-out skills."
AFP