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'There's always gossip and chat. It's Welsh rugby at the end of the day'

By Online Editors
Wales' Jonathan Davies celebrates their win over England, but they need a repeat against Ireland to clinch the 2019 Grand Slam (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Jonathan Davies says Wales’ Six Nations title-chasing players are focused on tackling Scotland at Murrayfield after a week dominated by Welsh rugby politics.

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While unbeaten tournament leaders Wales target Six Nations title and Grand Slam success, off the field it is a story of domestic turmoil as debate rages about so-called Project Reset and how Wales’ professional regional game will look from next season.

Talks now appear to be deadlocked, a proposed Scarlets-Ospreys merger is off the table and considerable uncertainty remains.

“It’s probably been a stressful start to the week but we’ve come in today with a focus of continuing our preparation ready for Scotland and to get on that plane and progress in the tournament like we have been,” said Wales and Scarlets centre Davies.

Asked if he had ever known a week like it, Davies added: “There’s always gossip and chat. It’s Welsh rugby at the end of the day. Players are looking forward to a big Test match on the weekend.

(Continue reading below…)

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“That’s what we love doing, that’s what we are here to do. The most important thing for us is to focus on that. Going to Murrayfield is always a difficult place to play, and that’s the focus now with us.

“Our focus is making sure our preparation has gone as well as it has over the last month or six weeks, and we’re looking to go there and get the win.”

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Victory for Wales would leave them needing to beat Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday week to secure the Six Nations crown – they last won it in 2013 – and a first Grand Slam for seven years.

While they have toppled Scotland in 11 of the countries’ last 12 meetings, they came badly unstuck at Murrayfield two years ago, losing 29-13 after leading at half-time.

“They will be looking to start well and get the crowd behind them and make sure they put us under pressure,” Davies said.

“But for us it’s making sure we build on the momentum we’ve got now, and as a unit we stay pretty tight. Two years ago we were well beaten there, so we can’t take them lightly. It is going to be a very tough Test match.

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Cory Hill scores Wales’ first try in their win over England (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“The squad is very tight. We’ve got momentum, and we are making sure we keep that. The squad is reacting well to the expectancy of winning games, and that’s a good place to be.”

The weather forecast for Edinburgh on Saturday is potentially wet and windy conditions, but Davies added: “We’re Welsh, so we are used to that! The big thing is make sure you play to the conditions.

“We’ve had a bit of practice in those conditions this week, but ideally we want to play a bit of rugby. If we have to play territory and put pressure on Scotland, then that’s what we have to do.

“I guarantee you this Welsh team is going up there focused and getting the result on Saturday.”

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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