Western Mail

Rugby Union: Off the Hook ; Gatland Pays Tribute to Welsh Spirit As James Leads Amazing Fightback

WALES coach Warren Gatland paid tribute to the resolve and character of his players after admitting he feared a 30-point hammering at Twickenham. Gatland outlined in candid fashion his innermost fears after watching his side come off second best in almost every area of the game during a woeful first half.

Twickenham Man Was Feeling Pretty Cocky, Butwelsh Mam Wasn't Giving Up On Her Boys and They Repaid Her Faith ; the Win Is Everything. It'samonkey Off the Guys' Backs, Creating the Self-Belief Weneed

AS TWICKENHAM Man stuffedhis hands in hisBarbour pockets and slouched off into the wintry night, Welsh Mam was determined to stay and enjoy the party. Wearing her Welsh shirt, scarf and lucky daffodil earrings, June Jones - the delightfullybubblymother ofHair Bear propAdam-was leading the singing under the HQ stand. Performing the solo verses of Hymns & Arias while her gang took up the choruses, June punched the airwith delight on the old line that had taken newmeaning just minutes before, "W...

Rugby Union: Gatland's Men Put Nation Into Dreamland As Stunning Fightback Ends 20 Years of Agony ; England 19 26 Wales

FORGET 20 years of hurt - it's going to take about that long for this astonishing result to sink in. Leaving Twickenham on Saturday evening, the question was who was the most shell-shocked - the English players or the Welsh fans.

You Know What Mothers Are Like. It Was All Down to Her!

SHAUN Edwards's mother Phyllis is convinced divine intervention helped Wales beat England 26-19 in their Six Nations Championship opener at Twickenham. The devout Catholic went to visit Edwards's brother Billy Joe's grave when Wales were losing 16-6 at half-time.

Rugby Union: How Wales Rated

Lee Byrne Brave as a lion in defence, a valuable option with left boot and on hand for vital try. Didn't put a foot wrong

Rowan Williams Invokes Spirit of Co-Operation to Help Struggling Welsh Families ; Welsh Potential to Build a Just Society Excites Archbishop

ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury Rowan Williams yesterday called for the creation of a just society in his native Wales founded on values of co-operation. He is concerned that modern Britain is fragmenting with young families struggling to find affordable housing and children facing unprecedented strain.

Rugby Union: What the Sunday Papers Said

JONATHAN DAVIES (Independent on Sunday) I hated being told that I was in the last Wales team to beat England at Twickenham back in 1988. And, thanks to the remarkable comeback staged by Warren Gatland's team yesterday, I shall not have to hear that any more. It is a huge achievement for Wales, and the new coach. Things will be a lot tougher for the players under Gatland and Edwards, but more enjoyable too if yesterday's events are anything to go by.

Community Leaders Welcome Plan to Let Police Take Alcohol From Children On Streets

PLANS to give police new powers to confiscate alcohol from under- 18s who drink in public were welcomed in Wales yesterday. But David Beynon, a councillor in Pontarddulais, Swansea, which came under the national spotlight last year after a 58-year-old resident was hospitalised by youths, asked, "Will the police have the manpower to do it?"

Rugby Union: I Was in Loads of Pain, but Injury Wasn't Forcing Me Off ; Says Gavin Henson

GAVIN HENSON revealed he had a pain-killing injection at half- time of Wales' historic win over England because he was desperate to help turn things around. The Ospreys centre, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Friday, was a shadow of his former self in the first half missing a number of key tackles and failing to make any impact with the ball in hand.

Concern Over 24-Hour Drinking 'Success'

Last week Dr Williams attacked 24-hour drinking as the "tip of the iceberg" in a culture of alcohol abuse in Britain. The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was "very concerned" by reports that a review ordered into 24-hour drinking by Prime Minister Gordon Brown would conclude the legislation has largely been a success.

Praying for Terrorist Enemies

Christians must not stop praying for their enemies at a time of so-called war on terror, Dr Williams argues. He said, "It's exactly the vision of the New Testament. Loving your enemies, praying for your enemies, doesn't mean saying there isn't a problem or they're fine really.

The End of Establishment?

The Church in Wales ceased to be the established church in 1920, and there have been sporadic calls for the Church of England to lose its official link with the state. The Archbishop of Canterbury, once considered warm to this idea, believes there may be an argument for keeping the church's role in public life.

'He Seemed to Black Out in My Arms While His Body Shook,' Author Says in Claim Burton Drank to Cure Epilepsy ; Actor Lived in Fear 'of This Thing in My Head'

RICHARD Burton drank heavily to cure epilepsy, claims a new biography. He also floored Frank Sinatra in a '50s fight over politics, reveals Burton's former publicist in his book Prince of Players.

Rugby Union: We Must Build On This Win, Says Mark

MARK JONES last night emphasised the importance of Wales winning their next two matches against Scotland and Italy to ensure the good work of Twickenham is not undermined. Wales face the Scots and Italians in front of their own fans at the Millennium Stadium and know two more victories would give them a mountain of momentum going into the final clashes with Ireland and Italy.

Web Tributes to Surfing 'Legend'

EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid around the globe following the death of one of Wales' top surfers. Ian Davies, pictured, known as Benny, died after a heart attack while surfing on holiday in Costa Rica.

Rugby Union: Hook Reveals the Half-Time Secrets That Inspired Win

OFFICIAL man of the match James Hook has revealed the spirit that galvanised the Welsh players at half-time and pushed them forward to an unlikely victory. He emphasised there was no shouting or bawling from arren Gatland in the dressing room during the interval, just quiet words of wisdom and a number of key ideas that convinced the players they could turn the game around.

Three Bailed Over Taxi Fire Attack

THREE people arrested in connection with an attack on a taxi driver who was set on fire have been released on bail. Douglas Hall suffered mild burns to his head and face after being set alight by two men who were trying to steal his takings.

Wales: Net Sales Fuelled by Tower Closure

COAL from Wales' last deep mine is being sold on the internet for more than pounds 27 a lump. When Tower Colliery closed last month it was being sold from the mine for pounds 160 a tonne.

Wales: Student's Lucky Bus Crash Escape

A WELSH student escaped serious injury after a tourist bus crash in New Zealand which left one British woman dead. AmyLewis, 23, from Ammanford, was sitting next to the unnamed 62- year-old, who lived in Spain, and had been speaking to her seconds before the accident happened near Westport, South Island, on Saturday.

Wales: Chemical Drum Recovery Delayed

A CONTAINER of hazardous waste has been washed up on the Welsh coast. Police and other agencies were yesterday forced to abandon the drum at Paviland, on Gower's south coast, because of worsening weather. It is believed to contain a chemical which irritates the eyes and throat.