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I've developed a new strategy to help Wales win some matches in the 6 Nations. That strategy is simply not to watch the match! Today I refused to watch it and they beat Italy 33-10. I shall of course watch the highlights later on but it was a tremendous relief after the soul-destroying performances of the past few weeks. What a pity I didn't come up with the strategy before now. I can only hope that Gavin Henson will be fit for next season and will not follow Gareth Thomas into Rugby League.

After the England debacle, I bought a couple of Rugby DVDs.One of these is 101 Greatest Welsh Tries and this cheered me up enormously. I remember the glory days of the 60s/70s so well and even attended a couple of matches at Cardiff Arms Park in my student days. We have magnificent players now but something is missing.

I noted a previous comment about Eddie Butler and Brian O'Driscoll. I have a soft spot for Brian and for Ronan O'Gara. They are welcome to come round for some craic any time.

At the time of typing, France are ahead of Perfidious Albion. At one point early in the match, an irate middle-aged Frenchwoman rose from her seat and turned around to Martin Johnson, saying "Non, non". As well she might.

Here's to a Grand Slam for Wales again next year. We've only done ittwice in this century!

Best Wishes on St. Patricks Day An American Welsh Perspective Q. What have the Irish ever done for us? A. Numerous writers, playwrites including F Scott Fitzgerald, Eugene O'Neill, Raymond Chandler, Flannery O,Connor etc. Q. O.K. apart from the writers what have the Irish ever done for us? A. They kept the flame of Celtic Independence burning throughout the last four centuries. Q. O.K. apart from the writers and Celtic independence what have the Irish ever done for us? A. They built the railroads and canals and much of the infrastructure of early modern industrial society. Q. O.K. apart from writers, Celtic independence and industrial infrastructure what have the Irish ever done for us? A. They`ve given us one of the most vibrant musical traditions in the world. Q. O.K. apart from writers, Celtic independence, industrial infrastructure and music what have the Irish ever done for us? A. Guinness. Q. O.K. apart from writers, Celtic independence, industrial infrastructure, music and Guinness what have the Irish ever done for us? A. They have a good rugby team and they even let Wales beat them from time to time ( Although sadly not this year ). O.K. apart from the presidents, writers, Celtic independence, industrial infrastructure, music , Guinness and the rugby team what have the Irish ever done for us? ( The above list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the many Irish contributions to world culture or to the building of the United States. That would take up far more space than we have available. ) HAPPY ST. PATRICK`S DAY

We are considering taking a group of high school kids on a exploration tour of Welch heritage. We have priced out plane ticket and hotels, but are wondering if it is a good idea to get some sort of Travel Insurance . We know that things can come up (people get sick, and move, etc.).Have any of you guys organized a group trip? Have you found that something like this is beneficial to the group? Do you require it as part of the trip. Any tips or advice that you guys have would be great. Thanks for helping us out.

Tens of thousands of rugby fans are being asked to help a Welsh charity set up by the singer and broadcaster Shan Cothi to raise money for the battle against pancreatic cancer. A bucket collection will be held around the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, 20th of March when Wales take on Italy in their final game of the RBS 6 Nations tournament. Sixty volunteers will be stationed on walkways around the stadium asking for contributions to the charity called Amser Justin Time. The collection has been arranged with the support of the Welsh Rugby Union to achieve the dual aims of raising the charitys profile and cash for the cause. Shan Cothi launched the Amser Justin Time charity in honour of her husband Justin Smith whose life was cut short by pancreatic cancer at the age of 42. He was well known in Wales as a successful TV director, editor and musician with the Tigertailz glam rock band (aka Pepsi Tate). The charity in his name raises money for pancreatic cancer care in Wales and helps fund a specialist nurse who supports patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. Shan recently attended a Wales squad training session along with the actor Steffan Rhodri who is an active supporter of the charity. Steffan has appeared in an impressive list of films and television roles and most recently is perhaps best known for playing Dave Coaches in hit TV series Gavin and Stacey. At the Millennium Stadium training session they joined squad members and Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland who pulled on Amser Justin Time T shirts to be pictured supporting the charitys work. Shan Cothi said: I am very grateful to the WRU and to Warren and his players for the support they have given us. It was great to meet up with them at the training session and they were all so determined to show their support for Amser Justin Time. The bucket collection is a great opportunity for us both to raise money and the profile of the work we do here in Wales to fight pancreatic cancer. We work hard to make Amser Justin Time a success and this support from the national sport of Wales will certainly help us a great deal. WRU Chairman, David Pickering, said: Amser Justin Time is an extremely worthwhile cause and we are delighted to be able to help. I know how hard Shan works for the charity and I am sure the Welsh and Italian fans who attend the game will give generously. The WRU knows the devastating impact pancreatic cancer can have because our Head of Legal Affairs, Mike Jefferies, suffered from the disease and died last year." Amser Justin Time holds regular events throughout Wales to collect funds for the charity and details of its events and work are featured on its dedicated website. The WRU delivers its core support to the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust which raises money to help seriously injured former players in Wales. For more information on the charity, please visit www.amserjustintime.org For donations, please visit www.justgiving.com/amser

Welsh bands @ South by Southwest in Austin, Texas next week: Welsh algorithmic rock quartet 'Truckers of Husk' @ SXSW - http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/6609 Chicago/Newport's Jon Langford & The Waco Brothers at SXSW - Saturday, March 20 at 11:00pm - http://my.sxsw.com/search/event_results?q=waco Wednesday March 17th, 7:15pm Straight Lines Austin Music Hall 208 Nueces S, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/10500 http://www.myspace.com/straightlines Wednesday March 17, 09:00pm Toy Horses Galaxy Room 508 E 6th St, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/10592 http://www.myspace.com/toyhorses Wednesday March 17, 9:00pm Christopher Rees Opal Divine's Freehouse 700 W 6th St, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/6975 http://www.christopherrees.co.uk Music from Wales Showcase Thursday March 18, 03:00pm Latitude 30 512 San Jacinto St, Austin, Texas Thanks to its rich history, cultural diversity, cosmopolitan city life and breathtaking scenery, Wales definitely punches above its weight in the world. Proudly, we have our own ancient living language, and one of the most thriving, cutting-edge, creative and international music scenes. Performances by Polly Mackey, Cate Le Bon, Race Horses, and Straight Lines. http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/830 Thursday March 18, 12:00am Marina & The Diamonds Lamberts 401 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/7191 http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com/ Thursday March 18, 12:00am Straight Lines Opal Divine's Freehouse 700 W 6th St, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/8502 http://www.myspace.com/straightlines Wednesday March 18th, 1:00am Polly Mackey & the Pleasure Principle The Ale House 310 E 6th St, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/7265 http://www.pollymackey.com/ Cate Le Bon Saturday March 20, 09:00pm Latitude 30 512 San Jacinto St, Austin, Texas http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/7448 http://www.catelebon.com/

The new Official Siobhan Owen forum was launched today at www.siobhanowenforum.com . Please support Siobhan by registering and posting to the forum. Thanks to Scott and the rest of Siobhan's Support and Promotions Team for setting this up in record time!

Brian O' Driscoll trotted on to Croke Park with a commentry from obsequious Eddie Butler ringing in everybodies ears. The wonderful, marvellous, can I have your children O' Driscoll was marking his 100th cap. Listening to Butler's commentary I wondered how O'Driscoll was going to solve global warming, create cures for elephantiasis and eliminate third world poverty all by half time.

But I digress.

Wales had obviously prepared for this game by listening to 48 hours of Leonard Cohen whilst consuming large doses of valium. It was a dreadful performance by the Taff who seem to think that disciplin is a proposition by Wittgenstein and not worth bothering with.

The game started as a tennis match until the sons of Hibernia - realising they were playing an anarchic 15 - went over the line twice. That was it. Gatland loaded his trusty revolver once again at half time but the writing was already on the wall.

Wales never looked like taking control even though they had the majority of the ball.

They left the field with the strains of " Why Don't You Try " enveloping them like a damp Irish mist.

RUGBY WORLD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

WELSH WARRIORS PROPOSED TOUR ITINERARY (MAY / JUNE 2010) Brigend to Colorado.

Contact the Colorado Welsh Society at sam.kuntz@comcast.net for updated info as the time draws near.

The Colorado Welsh say, "It would be great if we could get a few Welsh people from outside of the Denver region to come to the game on Saturday, May 29, with the Glendale Raptors."

WEDNESDAY 26/05 - 06.00 - Depart Brewery Field, Bridgend for a luxury coach transfer to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 to check in for the 11.40 indirect flight with Continental Airlines to Denver arriving 19.15. After clearing customs & immigration formalities pick up mini vans and transfer to the Holiday Inn, Cherry Creek by 21.00 to check in and meet Colorado Welsh Society & Glendale Raptors Members . Evening is at leisure.

THURSDAY 27/05 Morning Training Session at Infinity Park, Glendale (Home of Glendale Raptors RFC) This afternoon explore Denver including the State Capitol Building, US Mint, Civic Centre Park & Guided Tour of Coors Brewery . Evening is at leisure at Glendale Raptors RFC, Cherry Creek or Downtown Denver.

FRIDAY 28/05 Morning Training Session at Infinity Park. Afternoon is at leisure for a Guided Tour of the Mile High Stadium, Invesco Fields, home of the Denver Broncos NFL American Football Team - Rest of the evening is at leisure either at Glendale Raptors RFC, in Glendale, Cherry Creek or in Downtown Denver.

SATURDAY 29/05 Morning at leisure / Pre Match Meeting. Transfer to Infinity Park arriving at 13.30 for the 15.00 - Glendale Raptors v Welsh Warriors Game, live on Fox Sports followed by a Post Match Reception. 18.00 - USA Super League Final 2010 live on Fox Sports Evening is at leisure in Glendale or Cherry Creek.

SUNDAY 30/05 Morning Pool Recovery Session - This afternoon take an optional Wild West Experience Tour of the Colorado History & Buffalo Bill Museum . Late afternoon return minivan transfer to watch the Colorado Rockies v LA Dodgers Baseball Game at Coors Stadium . Rest of evening at leisure in Denver.

MONDAY 31/05 Morning Training Session / Glendale Raptors DVD Game Review at Infinity Park. Afternoon at leisure for a visit to the Rocky Mountains National Park, Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Trading Post . Rest of evening is at leisure at Glendale Raptors RFC, Cherry Creek or in Downtown Denver.

TUESDAY 01/06 . 10.00 Depart for Vail in the Colorado Rocky Mountains arriving 12.00 for a light team run / stretch and afternoon at leisure in this famous Ski Resort. This evening at 18.30 Vail RFC v Welsh Warriors Game, followed by a Post Match Reception Depart Vail 22.00 arriving in Cherry Creek at Midnight.

WEDNESDAY 02/06 After breakfast check out of the rooms and pay any outstanding bills, departing the Holiday Inn, Cherry Creek by 08.30 for the transfer to Denver International Airport to drop off minivans and to check in by 09.25 for the indirect 11.25 overnight return flight via Houston with Continental Airlines to the UK.

Rugby World International Limited are Official Agents For ATOL & ABTA Bonded Tour Operators / Coach Companies

Rugby World International Limited - Registered in England and Wales - Registration number - 06274515

RUGBY WORLD Brewery Field, Tondu Road, Bridgend, S.Wales, CF31 4JE

Tel: 01656 662602 E-mail: info@rugby-world.org Web: www.rugby-world.org

THURSDAY 03/06 06.55 arrive London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, after clearing customs & immigration formalities, board the luxury coach for a return transfer to Brewery Field, Bridgend. End of Welsh Warriors -USA Tour to Colorado May / June 2010 . (Next Welsh Warriors Tour is to Argentina May / June 2011)