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Welsh given Billy Whizz`s backing

Friday 05th December 2008

Jason Robinson: Excited by the Welsh...

Jason Robinson's view on the November internationals is that the Welsh will the the ones making up the core of next June's British and Irish Lions side.

The Welsh were the only country from the Six Nations to beat any of the Tri-Nations teams, beating Australia 21-18 in Cardiff. They also led the All Blacks at half-time after an excellent first-half display, only to fall off the pace in the second half.

"I think it is pretty obvious who you would pick," said Robinson about next summer's tour to South Africa, talking to the Western Mail.

"It would have to be the boys in red. The recent Six Nations was an amazing turnaround. Warren (Gatland), Shaun (Edwards) and Rob (Howley) have obviously done a really good job with Wales.

"They will have been disappointed they didn't beat South Africa because they were there for the taking, but by beating Australia, they have proved they really can mix it with the big boys. They beat Australia, who smashed England."

Robinson, a two-time Lions tourist and World Cup finalist with England and now an ambassador for the forthcoming Lions tour, also noted that Welsh ambition doesn't stop at old enemy England but that it is now a more rounded, global approach.

"It doesn't seem to be that way anymore. I think because England did set the standard and were the world champions, it was always going to be a big scalp," he said.

"It does seem the mentality has changed and that has come from the coaches and through to the players. The players have really matured and are really enjoying rugby."

One of Robinson's former team-mates from his rugby league days, Shaun Edwards, is now Welsh defence coach and Robinson says that the former Great Britain league international's influence is not to be under-estimated

"Defence wins you games and you can see Shaun's influence there," said Robinson.

"It is great to have people like Shane Williams and James Hook, but defence wins games.

"Wales are much tougher defensively. If you look at the big competitions it's normally the defences that win you those tournaments. They now have the edge on quite a few countries in that area."