Old Rivals

The RBS 6 Nations Rugby Championship is well under way, and the Welsh team seem to be holding their own at last after a somewhat shaky start. Their victory against France a few weeks ago means that their bid to keep hold of the 6 Nations trophy is back on track. And the next match will be a legendary one against old rivals England.

England and Wales have met a whopping 124 times and are evenly matched in terms of wins – both teams have won 54 times and have had 12 draws. So, it’s all to play for and it looks like it’s going to be a challenging, but super exciting match for Wales.

So, dig out your red shirt and come and join us. Of course, we’ll be showing the game here at the Oakeley Arms bar (we can’t wait!) and there will be the usual bowl of curry or chilli for everyone at half time.

And in case you need a reminder of what to sing, here are the words to Wales’ fabulously stirring national anthem, Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers)…….

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,

Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;

Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,

Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.

Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,

O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.

Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,

Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i’m golwg sydd hardd;

Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si

Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.

Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,

Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,

Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,

Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad

England v Wales, Sunday 9th March, kick off 15:00, Twickenham Stadium London.

by National Assembly for Wales on wiki commons