Six Nations: Wales’ Grand Slam glory

The English saw their Grand Slam dream demolished as Wales won the Six Nations title for a second successive year after Cuthbert’s second-half double.

He said: “I was fortunate enough to get on the end of two tries but I have got to give full credit to the forwards – they were unbelievable. I am just glad I took my opportunities.”

Asked if it was the best Wales performance he had been part of, 18 times-capped Cuthbert added: “I would have to say yes, definitely. The forwards were on fire – they sort of bullied England. I felt in command from the start, and it was just a matter of time before we broke through and took our chance.”

Cuthbert scored the only try of last season’s Grand Slam-clinching victory over France in Cardiff but, although Wales did not complete a clean sweep this time around, courtesy of an opening weekend defeat against Ireland, their sense of achievement was not diminished.

“It feels like a bigger achievement than last year,” Cuthbert added. “Last year against France it was quite tight and it was just us in the game, whereas this time England were striving for the Grand Slam and we were striving for the championship, which made it such a mouth-watering match.

“We knew what we had to do in the game. They [England] were the ones talking it up, I guess. We kept ourselves to ourselves. We knew what we could do and we delivered on the day, so it shows we are deserved champions.”

Centre Jamie Roberts believes there is “more to come” from a Wales team who retained the championship for the first time since 1979. Having also reached a World Cup semi-final during the past 18 months, Wales will now target moving to the next level and passing an exam they have failed so many times - beating rugby’s southern hemisphere superpowersas they build towards World Cup 2015.

Roberts said: “I think there is more to come. Our defence is outstanding, there is more to come in attack, and competition for places is very good in the squad. That is what drives us forward as a team.”

Wales beat England by exactly the same score that they trailed Ireland by after 45 minutes in their opening game six weeks ago. Although Wales lost that encounter, despite scoring 19 unanswered points, they bounced back by winning three successive away fixtures before reducing England to rubble.

Just as significantly, no team has scored a try against them for almost six hours, a tribute to  defence coach Shaun Edwards.

“If anything, it’s a better feeling than last year,” Roberts added. “From where we’ve come from in that first half of the Irish game to winning on the road – three on the bounce – and finally delivering at the Millennium Stadium, it’s very pleasing.

“We took a bit of a beating from a lot of people after that Ireland game, and certainly the run of results [eight successive defeats]. It was a very hard place to be. But it just goes to show the resilience of the boys. Rugby is 90 per cent attitude, and the resilience the boys have shown during the last six or seven weeks has come to the fore.

“To concede just three points against a team of England’s potency is very, very good for us and a pat on the back to Shaun Edwards. From a personal point of view it’s been an absolute privilege to work with him. He’s a great character, he knows his stuff inside and out, and to learn from someone of his calibre is up there with one of my greatest experiences as a rugby player.”

Roberts, Wales’ defensive captain on the pitch, delivered his best display of the tournament opposite powerhouse England centres Manu Tuilagi and Brad Barritt, concluding arguably the most hectic week in his life. Not only did he have to prepare for facing England, he also sat two important exams as part of his medical finals. It would have been a schedule to send most people into meltdown.

“Yes, it’s been difficult and there is a lot of pressure,” he said. “But I made sure I worked hard enough three months ago. I sat down then, had a word with myself and knew I had to do hard work back then. It’s not about turning up two weeks before the exams and working hard. It’s about putting that work in place so that come the Six Nations I was just topping up my knowledge. The exams were pretty tough – I don’t think they were meant to be easy – but, hopefully, I’ve managed to combine the two, and if I pass I will be a very proud person.”

Attention now turns to selection for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with Welsh representation likely to be in double figures – Roberts included. “Obviously, there will be a lot of stuff discussed about the Lions over the next couple of months and people will put their hands up, but it is up to the coach – it’s out of your hands,” Roberts added.