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Saturday, 15 March 2008, 19:32 GMT

Defence won Wales Slam - Jones

Ryan Jones holds the Six Nations trophy aloft after leading Wales to victory Captain Ryan Jones hailed another superb defensive display after Wales claimed their second Grand Slam in four years with a 29-12 victory over France.

Warren Gatland's side conceded just two tries in their five games, scoring 13.

"I've talked all along about people having dreams and what more can I take away from this," Jones told BBC Sport.

"It's absolutely amazing. We've defended superbly and that's what's won us this championship. It's just been a magnificent eight weeks."

"It is probably the fact that everyone is scared senseless of Shaun (Edwards)!"
Shane Williams

Wing Shane Williams scored the crucial try on the hour, his sixth of the campaign to overtake Gareth Thomas as Wales' new record try-scorer with 41.

"I found it very difficult to get into the game, it was so tight," he said. "Our defence was awesome, so was France's, and the try was one in a million probably.

"It just goes to show how hard we have worked since the World Cup, with the effort in training. It is probably the fact that everyone is scared senseless of (assistant coach) Shaun (Edwards)! The effort today was amazing."

606: DEBATE
Give your thoughts on Wales' Grand Slam win
Flanker Martyn Williams, named man-of-the-match, sealed victory with Wales's second try three minutes from the end.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," he said. "There's 30 or 40 people who have worked so hard for this.

"Everyone talks about their front five but ours were unbelievable throughout the tournament.

"The amount of unseen work they do is immense, and they allow the likes of the back row, Shane and the other backs to shine.

"We had to dig deep that first half, we played for long periods without the ball. We've had a bit of luck along the way but we've worked hard as a group."

Wales coach Warren Gatland has overseen a remarkable turnaround in the team's fortunes since taking over in December, and was keen to pay tribute to his squad.

"We've won the Grand Slam but you don't want to stop there"
Wales coach Warren Gatland

"At the end of the day, it is all about the players, they've got stronger mentally and physically," he told BBC Sport.

"A lot of those players have had it pretty tough for the last six or 12 months. When they get the reward, they deserve the recognition.

"To have only conceded two tries in this competition makes this Grand Slam thoroughly deserved.

"I thought that the refereeing was a bit one-sided against us, but the message at half-time was to just stick at it.

"We've won the Grand Slam but you don't want to stop there, you've got to test yourself against the best teams in the world and South Africa are the number one side in the world at the moment."



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Related to this story:

Gatland wants Springboks' scalp (16 Mar 08 |  Welsh )
Edwards's Wales future uncertain (16 Mar 08 |  Welsh )
Williams too much for us - France (15 Mar 08 |  Welsh )
Wales 29-12 France (15 Mar 08 |  Welsh )
Six Nations photos (15 Mar 08 |  Rugby Union )
BBC Sport Wales coverage (31 Dec 07 |  Wales )
Wales' rugby fixtures (26 Jun 07 |  Welsh )
Wales rugby results archive (15 Oct 03 |  Welsh )

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