A win is a win is a win

Gareth Jenkins must be heaving a big sigh of relief after managing to sneak past Argentina yesterday but he can hardly be confident that we have turned the corner and that a good World Cup beckons.

The atmosphere in the Stadium was funeral-like and I wasn't the only one there who feared we had blown it towards the end. The first half performance gave us a glimmer of hope but we faded badly (again) after the break and were under the cosh for long periods.

If Argentina had used a bit of common sense and called a scrum after Matthew Rees was binned, they could have gained a push over try and won themselves a well-deserved draw.

The Pumas did not play well for much of the game but they stuck at the task with enthusiasm and vigour while many of our players seem to wilt under the expectation of the Welsh public, few of whom turned up to cheer on their team.

There were a couple of bright lights. Hook was one, Gough another but our lineout was still a shambles and I cannot understand why Gethin Jenkins and Chris Horsman didn't start the match. A better platform up front would have released our backs. Instead, our back three hardly saw the ball. Mind, that could also be to do with having Alfie and Shanklin in the centre. They are good players but too similar for my liking.

I still say it, and I'm not alone in my call - why is Henson not in the squad? He can be a pain, no doubt, but he worries the opposition and is a direct runner, a good tackler and a super kicker. We desperately need someone of his capabilities to spark our backs and put us on the front foot, attack-wise.

We seem to be aiming for a quarter final slot and will be pleased if we get that far. It was enlightening to hear Brian Ashton saying that he is out to win the World Cup and anything less will be deemed a failure in his book. Mind, Gareth Jenkins makes enough naive comments as it is. He'd be laughed out of town if he made such a statement!

I can't finish without mentioning England's performance last night, can I? Oh dear, oh dear, of dear. They don't look like World Champions to me but, much as I hate to say it, they are still good enough to beat us should we meet them at the quarter final stage. Thank goodness they will get knocked out in the semis - I couldn't stand another display like we had after their win in 2003. Mind, I don't think Gordon Brown would give the gongs this time around. He's got a bit more sense that Blair chap.

Next week France and I'm not looking forward to the drubbing we might face. I hope I am proved wrong and that we put up a good performance. A loss by less than six points will be some sort of victory for us I reckon. How the mighty have fallen,eh?