Wales two games from rugby grand slam glory

No sportsman can seemingly complete any interview without saying “one game at a time” or some such equivalent. But a even Welsh player blessed with the mental focus of a Buddhist monk could be forgiven for thinking ahead today to a third grand slam in seven years.

Wales, as their players and coaches will endlessly remind you, have two games to go. But both are at home. Tomorrow they play Italy, who have lost all three of their matches. And then they face France in Cardiff – and France looked distinctly mortal when held to a draw last week by Ireland.

As surely as the entire Welsh squad will be aware of the dangers of getting ahead of themselves, they will be equally aware of what a gold-plated chance this is to win the ultimate rugby prize in the northern hemisphere.

That Wales are sitting so pretty would be a fine achievement in any season. But given they have had to play England and Ireland away, and have suffered their share of injuries, it is especially notable.

Their captain Sam Warburton is absent again tomorrow. Luke Charteris and a trio of hookers are also crocked. Bradley Davies is banned. But the replacements have so far proved no work-a-day understudies.

Ahead of today’s matches, players may well be burdened with thoughts of grand slams, Quaichs, and spoons.

Take the clash at Twickenham a fortnight ago. The England crowd were understandably lifted when Jamie Roberts, arguably Wales’ best player, failed to make it out for the second half. But his cover, Scott Williams scored the try that won the match. Wales’ championship charge has revealed a depth suggesting more good times ahead.

The ability to cope with injuries will play its part in the other match on Saturday, Ireland v Scotland. Ireland should have little trouble against a troubled outfit whose results so far need little interpretation: played three, lost three. But two of Ireland’s key players are out – one of them captain Paul O’Connell.

Should injuries bounce off the Irish as they appear to do the Welsh, it’s hard to see anything but an Irish victory. The winner in this match is awarded a trophy which sounds straight from Hogwarts: the Centenary Quaich. A quaitch, though, is no spell or death-eater, rather a Gaelic drinking cup.

If Scotland lose they will be on course for a much less desired award, the wooden spoon. The spoon of course doesnâ??t exist – but is all too real for the players of any team which comes bottom of the Six Nations.

Its origins come from a real wooden spoon awarded up until the the early 20th century to students who came bottom in their exams at Cambridge University. Wikipedia has an excellent explanation of the custom here.

So ahead of today’s matches, the players may well be burdened with thoughts of grand slams, Quaichs, and spoons as well as individual acts of match winning glory. No wonder they are told to take one game at a time.

Read more: Ben Monro-Davies writes on rugby and golf for Channel 4 News