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10:23 GMT, Saturday, 7 June 2008 11:23 UK

Rugby legends pick greatest tries

With 100 to choose from it may seem like a tough job to pick just one Wales Six Nations try as your favourite.

But that was the gauntlet laid down to former Wales greats Jonathan Davies and Ieuan Evans for a BBC Wales television programme.

Great Welsh Tries sees the pair, with inimitable former international Eddie Butler, relive some of Wales' greatest moments on the rugby field.

And with memorable scores from greats

such as Scott Quinnell, Robert Howley and Shane Williams the task of choosing a favourite was not an easy one.

With a nod to Welsh rugby legends of the past, the programme focuses on Wales' successes in the Six Nations era.

Among the tries featured is Martyn Williams against France in 2005.

"It is difficult to go to Paris and win especially considering the position Wales were in - on the end of a 15-6 hammering in the first half," said Davies.

"There were two key incidents in Martyn's try. One was Gavin Henson ripping the ball away when Wales were under attack and second was when French winger Aurelien Rougerie slipped and Shane Williams noticed and just created the two on one for Martyn Williams to score. It was a great try in a great match."

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The pair then turn their attention to the 2001 Six Nations tournament.

"The match against France was a brilliant game," explained Davies. "I think we matched them up front and I think Wales knew they were capable of scoring some great tries."

Three of the 13 of the programme's featured tries come from this match.

Scott Quinnell, Robert Howley and Dafydd James all crossed to contribute to Wales' 24-18 win in Paris.

The next match which provided a batch of tries for consideration was Scotland v Wales in 2005.

"Wales just stunned Murrayfield into silence," said Evans. "It was a period of five to seven minutes of breath-taking rugby."

The first try of the match that was singled out was from the Wales captain Ryan Jones.

"Within the first few minutes Ryan had scored. He powered through the defence and that set the tone. There were Welsh jerseys everywhere. I would have hated to be the Scottish full-back," admitted Davies

After that it was a brace for Wales full-back Kevin Morgan to seal the win.

And that man Morgan started the Wales Grand Slam party in style when he crossed for a try against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

"That try was all about intelligent angles of running and having faith in your team-mates," said Davies.

"Welsh wizard" Shane Williams - has a whopping four tries featured.

The first is from Italy v Wales in 2005, while the next three all come from the 2008 Grand Slam campaign, starting with Wales v Scotland and that contentious flying try in the corner.

Davies agrees the ref made a close, but vital, call: "It was a controversial decision - and his foot WAS in touch - but it was a crucial decision because Scotland were hanging on and when the try was given it was pretty much the end of the match."

Another Williams try from Wales' match against Italy made in on to the list but it was the final score against Ireland in Dublin that got Evans waxing lyrical.

"That game silenced Croke Park. It was a consummate performance by Wales and that try at the end by Shane just summed it up. He fancied his chances and just pushed his way through the defenders - brilliant."

And completing the prestigious list is Lee Byrne's try against England in Twickenham this year. A try that was a turning point in Wales campaign according to Davies.

"The try was made by the beautifully balanced running of James Hook. He just put the ball into Lee Byrne's hands. That try really gave them the self belief which they then built on."

So having drawn up the short-list the pair choose their favourites.

Evans' choice: "I liked Dafydd James try against France in Paris in 2001 but if I had to choose and absolute favourite it would be Kevin Morgan scoring against Ireland to secure that first Grand Slam in 2005."

But for Davies it all comes down the beating the "old enemy".

"For me, I think, Twickenham away is a great place to go and win and we hadn't done it often enough. But when the opportunity came, Lee Byrne's try ignited the belief that we could do it."

Great Welsh Tries was broadcast on BBC 2W on Friday 6 June and is available on BBC iPlayer for seven days after being broadcast




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Related to this story:

Jenkins urged not to quit (18 Mar 01 |  Wales )
Italy 8-38 Wales (12 Feb 05 |  Internationals )
France 18-24 Wales (26 Feb 05 |  Internationals )
Scotland 22-46 Wales (13 Mar 05 |  Internationals )
Wales 32-20 Ireland (19 Mar 05 |  Six Nations 2005 )
England 19-26 Wales (02 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union )
Wales 30-15 Scotland (09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union )
Ireland 12-16 Wales (08 Mar 08 |  Rugby Union )
BBC Sport Wales coverage (24 Dec 06 |  Wales )

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