Christie lambasts negative focus on ChambersSachin Nakrani
Saturday February 16, 2008
The Guardian
Linford Christie has expressed his anger at the focus Dwain Chambers' return to athletics has drawn, claiming it has cast a shadow over the sport and unfairly deflected attention from other British competitors currently preparing for the Beijing Olympics.
Christie, whose own career was tarnished by a two-year drugs ban, refused to criticise Chambers directly but made no secret of his annoyance with the sprinter for making recent headlines.
"We are spending the majority of our time talking about a minority of people when we should be focusing our attentions on the majority of athletes, who are out there trying their best," Christie said. "We've got Beijing coming up and the indoor championships in Valencia before that. This is a time to be positive about athletics in this county. Let's support the people who are out there training hard."
But the former Olympic champion, who won gold in the 100 metres at the 1992 Barcelona Games, also attacked Britain's current crop of sprinters for allowing Chambers to become an issue in the first place, insisting the field should be strong enough to prevent a man who was banned from the sport for two years after testing positive for the steroid THG in 2003 from winning his way into contention.
Chambers qualified for next month's World Indoor Championships after winning the 60m at the trials last Sunday and will be allowed to attend the event after an appeal by UK Athletics to stop him failed. UKA is still hoping its attempts to block the 29-year-old from competing in the UK Championships in July will be successful and is supported by the British Olympic Association which is standing firm in its refusal to allow Chambers to compete in Beijing.
In his role as technical coach for UK Athletics Christie is currently preparing the sprinter Christian Malcolm for Beijing. It is a controversial appointment given that Christie has twice tested positive for a banned substance.
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics the International Olympic Committee cleared Christie over the use of pseudoephedrine, agreeing it could have come from ginseng. Eleven years later he was found guilty of using nandrolone at an indoor meeting in Germany. Christie, who had come out of retirement for the race, claimed he accidentally took the substance as part of a nutritional supplement but the IAAF rejected the explanation and banned him for two years. He has always protested his innocence of drugs use.
The 47-year-old claimed the ongoing issue of drugs in athletics had not detracted from the sport's popularity. "People still love athletics. Look at Sheffield [where Sunday's trials were held]. It was packed. People just want to see good performances. They are not focusing on the negative. In athletics there is a belief that if you have an injury it will never heal if you think negative, but if you're positive you can heal yourself. That's what we need to do now."
Christie says Malcolm's preparations for Beijing are progressing well - he ran 6.69secs over 60m at a recent meeting in South Africa - but believes the 28-year-old 200m specialist should be under no pressure to add an Olympic medal to his two World Championship relay bronzes, a sentiment that he feels should be extended to all British athletes.
"Beijing is about youngsters getting the chance to experience the pressure of a major championship which will prepare them for London in four years' time," Christie said. "Some might make semi-finals and finals, while some others might run personal bests. That's what we should judge them on, nothing else."
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Pundits on Wales v England
JJ Williams Former Wales and Lions winger
What an amazing game. At one stage I thought 'look out, there's another hammering coming here' and then it all turned around with 20 minutes to go.
Looking back I wonder if England lost it or did Wales just change everything? It was a bit of both I think.
Wales' fitness must be applauded - they kept running and running. In the first half when they were trying to run the ball, they were going through phases and losing possession.
But they kept the ball in the last 20 minutes and kept the ball out wide. England struggled to cope with that.
Henson made some powerful breaks through England's midfield
England fell apart totally and couldn't live with the pace of the game. Wales unsettled them. They were totally flabbergasted.
At the end of the game when they were behind the posts waiting for the conversion, they looked totally confused.
They were lacking leadership and Wales had it all. They took their opportunities and that's what sport is all about.
We played poorly in the first half but I think the difference between the two sides was what happened in the dressing room at half-time.
I think Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland went about our boys and told them a few home truths.
They came out and did much better in the second half, so full compliments to our coaching staff - they were the difference between the two sides.
It's a great start for them but now they've got to keep their feet on the ground - which I'm sure they will.
We've got a massive opportunity with three home games coming up. You can't ask for more than that.
So it's a great start and a great boost for Wales and Welsh rugby
JJ Williams was speaking to BBC Wales Sport
Adrian Hadley Former Wales winger, who scored two tries in the 1988 victory at Twickenham
This was my first visit to Twickenham since the victory in 1988.
It's looks like I'm a bit of a lucky charm - I think the Welsh Rugby Union should pay for me to come back in two years' time!
Whatever was said in the Wales changing room at half-time I want to bottle it and sell it.
I said before the game that Iain Balshaw still slept with the lights on and Wales took full advantage of his dithering.
If Wales could put the England back three under pressure I was confident we could cause them problems.
We failed to do that in the first half because we kicked poorly, but the second half was a vast improvement.
Even Jonny Wilkinson looked ruffled and started throwing passes he shouldn't and doesn't usually throw because of the pressure Wales exerted. England then started to look like a poor side.
And the other major factor was that the England forwards ran out of gas after about 60 minutes.
Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley are all winners and I think that mentality has rubbed off on the players.
It could be a good year for Wales. We shouldn't get carried away with ourselves over this result, but it's magnificent victory and we can improve.
Adrian Hadley was speaking on BBC Radio Wales
Dick Best Former England coach
England committed what is tantamount to sporting suicide. You can't surrender those sorts of leads and that sort of domination.
No matter what level of rugby you play at, this game is played for 80 minutes and it's about what you achieve over 80 minutes.
I'm afraid England didn't play for 80 minutes and the best team won.
Wales wasted a lot of their best ball in the first half by kicking it to England.
In the second half they stopped kicking and started to run at England.
The defining moment was when Gavin Henson made that break - that gave Wales lot of confidence and they didn't look back.
Dick Best was speaking on BBC Wales' Scrum V programme
JJ Williams Former Wales and Lions winger
What an amazing game. At one stage I thought 'look out, there's another hammering coming here' and then it all turned around with 20 minutes to go.
Looking back I wonder if England lost it or did Wales just change everything? It was a bit of both I think.
Wales' fitness must be applauded - they kept running and running. In the first half when they were trying to run the ball, they were going through phases and losing possession.
But they kept the ball in the last 20 minutes and kept the ball out wide. England struggled to cope with that.
Henson made some powerful breaks through England's midfield
England fell apart totally and couldn't live with the pace of the game. Wales unsettled them. They were totally flabbergasted.
At the end of the game when they were behind the posts waiting for the conversion, they looked totally confused.
They were lacking leadership and Wales had it all. They took their opportunities and that's what sport is all about.
We played poorly in the first half but I think the difference between the two sides was what happened in the dressing room at half-time.
I think Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland went about our boys and told them a few home truths.
They came out and did much better in the second half, so full compliments to our coaching staff - they were the difference between the two sides.
It's a great start for them but now they've got to keep their feet on the ground - which I'm sure they will.
We've got a massive opportunity with three home games coming up. You can't ask for more than that.
So it's a great start and a great boost for Wales and Welsh rugby
JJ Williams was speaking to BBC Wales Sport
Adrian Hadley Former Wales winger, who scored two tries in the 1988 victory at Twickenham
This was my first visit to Twickenham since the victory in 1988.
It's looks like I'm a bit of a lucky charm - I think the Welsh Rugby Union should pay for me to come back in two years' time!
Whatever was said in the Wales changing room at half-time I want to bottle it and sell it.
I said before the game that Iain Balshaw still slept with the lights on and Wales took full advantage of his dithering.
If Wales could put the England back three under pressure I was confident we could cause them problems.
We failed to do that in the first half because we kicked poorly, but the second half was a vast improvement.
Even Jonny Wilkinson looked ruffled and started throwing passes he shouldn't and doesn't usually throw because of the pressure Wales exerted. England then started to look like a poor side.
And the other major factor was that the England forwards ran out of gas after about 60 minutes.
Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley are all winners and I think that mentality has rubbed off on the players.
It could be a good year for Wales. We shouldn't get carried away with ourselves over this result, but it's magnificent victory and we can improve.
Adrian Hadley was speaking on BBC Radio Wales
Dick Best Former England coach
England committed what is tantamount to sporting suicide. You can't surrender those sorts of leads and that sort of domination.
No matter what level of rugby you play at, this game is played for 80 minutes and it's about what you achieve over 80 minutes.
I'm afraid England didn't play for 80 minutes and the best team won.
Wales wasted a lot of their best ball in the first half by kicking it to England.
In the second half they stopped kicking and started to run at England.
The defining moment was when Gavin Henson made that break - that gave Wales lot of confidence and they didn't look back.
Dick Best was speaking on BBC Wales' Scrum V programme
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Munich air disaster 6th February 1958
Manchester - a city 'United in grief'
By Paul Costello BBC News, Manchester
A city normally divided by football rivalries became "united in grief" in the hours and days after the Munich air disaster.
As news of the crash filtered back on the afternoon of 6 February 1958 stunned workers poured out of offices and factories desperately seeking the latest on survivors and fatalities.
People huddled together on the wintry streets as rumours spread rapidly.
The word soon passed around the city that Manchester United's plane had crashed on the way back from a European Cup game and that some of the much-loved players, known as the Busby Babes, had died.
But with hard facts difficult to come by, most slowly headed home to gather around their radio and TV sets.
Whether red, blue or uncommitted the city of Manchester was totally united in grief Author David Hall
As the Thursday night wore on, the realisation that the country's best football side had been devastated began to hit home.
Beryl Townsend, 70, a United fanatic who travelled all over the country to watch the Reds, recalls being sent home from her secretarial job in the city centre.
"I walked up Market Street to Piccadilly," she said.
"There were hundreds of people about like any normal rush hour, except it wasn't normal.
"Nobody was moving towards the buses and everyone was just standing around in little groups.
"The newspaper stands read 'United Plane Crash' but there were no other details.
"I went home to find out more but there was still no news on who had survived.
"I just stood there with my sister crying."
A crowd of about 20 "Stretford Enders" gathered at her home in the Ancoats area of the city.
"We were all stood there next to the TV and radio and then the names of the survivors and victims started to come through one after another.
"It was as if the heart had been wiped out of the city. Part of Manchester had gone because the Babes had gone."
'Sense of disbelief'
Other fans queued outside Old Trafford hoping to hear the latest on the night of the tragedy.
Some even waited outside the Manchester Evening News offices.
THE PLAYERS WHO DIED
Geoff Bent, aged 25
Roger Byrne, captain, aged 28
Eddie Colman, aged 21
Duncan Edwards, aged 21
Mark Jones, aged 24
David Pegg, aged 22
Tommy Taylor, aged 26
Liam Whelan, aged 22
Eight Manchester United players were killed along with eight newspaper journalists and seven staff and crew - 23 dead out of a total of 44 passengers.
David Hall, author of the book Manchester's Finest, was an 11-year-old grammar schoolboy living in Wythenshawe at the time of the disaster.
His father broke the news of the crash in dramatic fashion.
"My dad burst through the side door into the kitchen and just said 'United have been wiped out'.
"I did not understand what he was saying - I couldn't take it in.
"It was difficult for everybody and there was just a sense of disbelief for days afterwards."
Boys at his school paid tribute by tying black shoe laces around their arms during football practice the following day.
Mr Hall said the city began a collective mourning process when the coffins of five players, three club officials and eight journalists were flown into Manchester Airport on the Monday.
He was one of more than 2,000 people who lined the route as the bodies were taken to the club's gym at Old Trafford on a "miserable winter night".
Manchester became a sombre place as a week of funerals then took place in the victims' villages, towns and cities.
"Whether red, blue or uncommitted the city of Manchester was totally united in grief. It was a Manchester tragedy, a football tragedy," Mr Hall said.
"City fans grieved as much as United fans did. They lost one of their greatest ever players in goalkeeper turned journalist Frank Swift - there was a sense of oneness in that."
'Wave of emotion'
A strong bond had been created by fans and players mixing together in the city and this heightened the sense of loss.
"A lot of them lived in digs close to Old Trafford and players like Duncan Edwards and Johnny Berry would cycle or walk to the ground with the fans on match day," Mr Hall said.
"They were approachable and went to the same cafes, pubs and dancehalls on a Saturday night."
The atmosphere was out of this world - Wednesday just did not stand a chance Fan Norman Williams
As well as mourning the dead, attention was strongly focused on the conditions of the injured survivors.
People listened intently to radio news reports as manager Matt Busby and players Duncan Edwards and Johnny Berry battled for life.
Thirteen days after the crash a makeshift United 11 took on Sheffield Wednesday in an emotional FA Cup fifth-round tie.
The front cover of the match programme read "United will go on" and on the team sheet, there were 11 blank spaces to fill in.
Norman Williams, a then 27-year-old postman from Openshaw, knew he had to attend despite having suffered a broken leg travelling to watch United beat Arsenal in a classic 5-4 match at Highbury.
He said: "I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Wednesday game.
"I was desperate to go despite having the broken leg.
"The atmosphere was out of this world - Wednesday just did not stand a chance.
"It was that wave of emotion from the fans that went onto carry the team to the final."
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7217401.stmPublished: 2008/02/06 03:56:43 GMT© BBC MMVIII
By Paul Costello BBC News, Manchester
A city normally divided by football rivalries became "united in grief" in the hours and days after the Munich air disaster.
As news of the crash filtered back on the afternoon of 6 February 1958 stunned workers poured out of offices and factories desperately seeking the latest on survivors and fatalities.
People huddled together on the wintry streets as rumours spread rapidly.
The word soon passed around the city that Manchester United's plane had crashed on the way back from a European Cup game and that some of the much-loved players, known as the Busby Babes, had died.
But with hard facts difficult to come by, most slowly headed home to gather around their radio and TV sets.
Whether red, blue or uncommitted the city of Manchester was totally united in grief Author David Hall
As the Thursday night wore on, the realisation that the country's best football side had been devastated began to hit home.
Beryl Townsend, 70, a United fanatic who travelled all over the country to watch the Reds, recalls being sent home from her secretarial job in the city centre.
"I walked up Market Street to Piccadilly," she said.
"There were hundreds of people about like any normal rush hour, except it wasn't normal.
"Nobody was moving towards the buses and everyone was just standing around in little groups.
"The newspaper stands read 'United Plane Crash' but there were no other details.
"I went home to find out more but there was still no news on who had survived.
"I just stood there with my sister crying."
A crowd of about 20 "Stretford Enders" gathered at her home in the Ancoats area of the city.
"We were all stood there next to the TV and radio and then the names of the survivors and victims started to come through one after another.
"It was as if the heart had been wiped out of the city. Part of Manchester had gone because the Babes had gone."
'Sense of disbelief'
Other fans queued outside Old Trafford hoping to hear the latest on the night of the tragedy.
Some even waited outside the Manchester Evening News offices.
THE PLAYERS WHO DIED
Geoff Bent, aged 25
Roger Byrne, captain, aged 28
Eddie Colman, aged 21
Duncan Edwards, aged 21
Mark Jones, aged 24
David Pegg, aged 22
Tommy Taylor, aged 26
Liam Whelan, aged 22
Eight Manchester United players were killed along with eight newspaper journalists and seven staff and crew - 23 dead out of a total of 44 passengers.
David Hall, author of the book Manchester's Finest, was an 11-year-old grammar schoolboy living in Wythenshawe at the time of the disaster.
His father broke the news of the crash in dramatic fashion.
"My dad burst through the side door into the kitchen and just said 'United have been wiped out'.
"I did not understand what he was saying - I couldn't take it in.
"It was difficult for everybody and there was just a sense of disbelief for days afterwards."
Boys at his school paid tribute by tying black shoe laces around their arms during football practice the following day.
Mr Hall said the city began a collective mourning process when the coffins of five players, three club officials and eight journalists were flown into Manchester Airport on the Monday.
He was one of more than 2,000 people who lined the route as the bodies were taken to the club's gym at Old Trafford on a "miserable winter night".
Manchester became a sombre place as a week of funerals then took place in the victims' villages, towns and cities.
"Whether red, blue or uncommitted the city of Manchester was totally united in grief. It was a Manchester tragedy, a football tragedy," Mr Hall said.
"City fans grieved as much as United fans did. They lost one of their greatest ever players in goalkeeper turned journalist Frank Swift - there was a sense of oneness in that."
'Wave of emotion'
A strong bond had been created by fans and players mixing together in the city and this heightened the sense of loss.
"A lot of them lived in digs close to Old Trafford and players like Duncan Edwards and Johnny Berry would cycle or walk to the ground with the fans on match day," Mr Hall said.
"They were approachable and went to the same cafes, pubs and dancehalls on a Saturday night."
The atmosphere was out of this world - Wednesday just did not stand a chance Fan Norman Williams
As well as mourning the dead, attention was strongly focused on the conditions of the injured survivors.
People listened intently to radio news reports as manager Matt Busby and players Duncan Edwards and Johnny Berry battled for life.
Thirteen days after the crash a makeshift United 11 took on Sheffield Wednesday in an emotional FA Cup fifth-round tie.
The front cover of the match programme read "United will go on" and on the team sheet, there were 11 blank spaces to fill in.
Norman Williams, a then 27-year-old postman from Openshaw, knew he had to attend despite having suffered a broken leg travelling to watch United beat Arsenal in a classic 5-4 match at Highbury.
He said: "I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Wednesday game.
"I was desperate to go despite having the broken leg.
"The atmosphere was out of this world - Wednesday just did not stand a chance.
"It was that wave of emotion from the fans that went onto carry the team to the final."
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7217401.stmPublished: 2008/02/06 03:56:43 GMT© BBC MMVIII
Sunday, February 3, 2008
No NO No No No
Fabio Capello has left David Beckham out of his first England squad. Do you think that he made the right decision?
Scots Stuffed in English and French.......
Told you so…… .. France gagner à Murrayfield
Posted in February 3rd, 2008 Déposé en février 3rd, 2008
by admin in France & the French , News from the UK
Par admin en France et les Français, Nouvelles du Royaume-Uni
Not one to gloat ~ but the Scots were stuffed.
Pas un seul pour me faire gloire ~ mais les Écossais étaient farcis.
The real surprise was how really poor the Scots were.
La vraie surprise fut vraiment comment les pauvres étaient écossais.
This is the way I’d describe today’s performance from them: Telle est la voie que j'avais décrire aujourd'hui les performances de leur part:
Poor Poor Poor Médiocre Médiocre Médiocre
Average Average Averge Moyenne Moyenne Averge
Dour Dour Dour Dour Dour Dour
Now the French let’s see what I can say: Maintenant, le français voyons ce que je peux dire:
Outstanding, inventive, skilful, Strategic, Courageous, Fast, Strong.
Suspens, inventif, habile, stratégique, courageux, Fast, Strong.
And what were the Scots again??? Et quelles sont les écossais de nouveau?
Dull Dull Dull Mat mat mat
The only exciting thing they did all afternoon was to head-butt an opponent ~ isn’t that a sending off penalty by the way.
La seule chose qu'ils ont fait passionnant tous apres midi était à la tête d'un adversaire-cul ~ n'est pas qu'un envoi par la pénalité.
Gorsein Boy Gorsein Boy
Enjoyment reigns in this part of France tonight. Jouissance règne dans cette partie de la France ce soir.
France the Brave. France Brave.
No Comments Aucun commentaire
Posted in February 3rd, 2008 Déposé en février 3rd, 2008
by admin in France & the French , News from the UK
Par admin en France et les Français, Nouvelles du Royaume-Uni
Not one to gloat ~ but the Scots were stuffed.
Pas un seul pour me faire gloire ~ mais les Écossais étaient farcis.
The real surprise was how really poor the Scots were.
La vraie surprise fut vraiment comment les pauvres étaient écossais.
This is the way I’d describe today’s performance from them: Telle est la voie que j'avais décrire aujourd'hui les performances de leur part:
Poor Poor Poor Médiocre Médiocre Médiocre
Average Average Averge Moyenne Moyenne Averge
Dour Dour Dour Dour Dour Dour
Now the French let’s see what I can say: Maintenant, le français voyons ce que je peux dire:
Outstanding, inventive, skilful, Strategic, Courageous, Fast, Strong.
Suspens, inventif, habile, stratégique, courageux, Fast, Strong.
And what were the Scots again??? Et quelles sont les écossais de nouveau?
Dull Dull Dull Mat mat mat
The only exciting thing they did all afternoon was to head-butt an opponent ~ isn’t that a sending off penalty by the way.
La seule chose qu'ils ont fait passionnant tous apres midi était à la tête d'un adversaire-cul ~ n'est pas qu'un envoi par la pénalité.
Gorsein Boy Gorsein Boy
Enjoyment reigns in this part of France tonight. Jouissance règne dans cette partie de la France ce soir.
France the Brave. France Brave.
No Comments Aucun commentaire
Wales in Surprising victory against England.
WALES skipper Ryan Jones hailed his team's stunning 26-19 Six Nations win over England as the greatest day of his career.
Down 16-6 at the break and still trailing by 10 points with 20 minutes left, Wales ran in two tries to record its first win at Twickenham in 20 years.
"It's the most fantastic day of my career," Jones said.
"It was a fantastic effort and the win was thoroughly deserved. Even when we were 10 points down we had belief in ourselves.
"We came here with a small squad and we turned them over on their own patch," the No. 8 added.
Fly-half James Hook was named man of the match after nailing six out of six goal kicks and playing a crucial role in his side's first try.
Wales' last visit to Twickenham, before the World Cup, ended in a record 62-5 defeat and Wales' new coach, a proud Warren Gatland, said the significance of Saturday's scoreline could not be underestimated.
"The result is everything. It's a monkey off the guys' back. They showed a lot of guts and dug deep," he said.
But former Ireland boss Gatland admitted that, at half-time, hopes of Wales' first win at Twickenham since an 11-3 success in 1988, were in the balance.
"The first half was very poor," the New Zealander said. "The message before half-time was to hang in there and not concede again, play a bit of rugby and respect the ball. The pleasing thing was the longer the game wore on the stronger we got."
Shaun Edwards, who has a part-time Wales role, said the visitors' defence in denying England a second try, when hooker Huw Bennett got his arm under the ball as Paul Sackey plunged over, had been crucial.
"The defensive set in the last five minutes of the first-half was vital," said Edwards, whose team were rocked by Toby Flood's 23rd minute score.
"They only scored one try and that was from a kick. To concede only one try from a kick at Twickenham is very creditable."
Gatland, looking ahead to Wales' next match at home to Scotland a week on Saturday, warned fans against expecting too much too soon.
England coach Brian Ashton, whose team now faces a tricky task away to an Italy side that ran Ireland close before losing 16-11 on Saturday, was at a loss to explain his team's collapse.
■Under fire Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan admitted he was happy to accept winning ugly after his World Cup flop stumbled to a 16-11 Six Nations victory over Italy at Croke Park.
The Irish failed to build on a 10-3 lead in the first-half which brought back memories of their dreadful World Cup where they went out in the first round.
However, O'Sullivan insisted that the first match of every Six Nations was a tough battle. "In the context of the Six Nations I am happy enough to take this," O'Sullivan said. "Of course we wanted to hit the road running but, just as we did two years ago against Italy, and against Wales last year, we struggled. We won ugly and we dug this one out."
Down 16-6 at the break and still trailing by 10 points with 20 minutes left, Wales ran in two tries to record its first win at Twickenham in 20 years.
"It's the most fantastic day of my career," Jones said.
"It was a fantastic effort and the win was thoroughly deserved. Even when we were 10 points down we had belief in ourselves.
"We came here with a small squad and we turned them over on their own patch," the No. 8 added.
Fly-half James Hook was named man of the match after nailing six out of six goal kicks and playing a crucial role in his side's first try.
Wales' last visit to Twickenham, before the World Cup, ended in a record 62-5 defeat and Wales' new coach, a proud Warren Gatland, said the significance of Saturday's scoreline could not be underestimated.
"The result is everything. It's a monkey off the guys' back. They showed a lot of guts and dug deep," he said.
But former Ireland boss Gatland admitted that, at half-time, hopes of Wales' first win at Twickenham since an 11-3 success in 1988, were in the balance.
"The first half was very poor," the New Zealander said. "The message before half-time was to hang in there and not concede again, play a bit of rugby and respect the ball. The pleasing thing was the longer the game wore on the stronger we got."
Shaun Edwards, who has a part-time Wales role, said the visitors' defence in denying England a second try, when hooker Huw Bennett got his arm under the ball as Paul Sackey plunged over, had been crucial.
"The defensive set in the last five minutes of the first-half was vital," said Edwards, whose team were rocked by Toby Flood's 23rd minute score.
"They only scored one try and that was from a kick. To concede only one try from a kick at Twickenham is very creditable."
Gatland, looking ahead to Wales' next match at home to Scotland a week on Saturday, warned fans against expecting too much too soon.
England coach Brian Ashton, whose team now faces a tricky task away to an Italy side that ran Ireland close before losing 16-11 on Saturday, was at a loss to explain his team's collapse.
■Under fire Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan admitted he was happy to accept winning ugly after his World Cup flop stumbled to a 16-11 Six Nations victory over Italy at Croke Park.
The Irish failed to build on a 10-3 lead in the first-half which brought back memories of their dreadful World Cup where they went out in the first round.
However, O'Sullivan insisted that the first match of every Six Nations was a tough battle. "In the context of the Six Nations I am happy enough to take this," O'Sullivan said. "Of course we wanted to hit the road running but, just as we did two years ago against Italy, and against Wales last year, we struggled. We won ugly and we dug this one out."
Gorsein Boy's take. Overall a great fight back from a team in the building. This will be a fantastic boost for Wales and a disaster for England and thir tried-looking coach. Early days for Wales but they are on the come-back trail.
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