The Autumn Nations Cup victory over Georgia ended a run of six defeats, but little is expected of the hosts at Parc y Scarlets
Graham Henry used to compare rugby in Wales with a shower that had a malfunctioning thermostat: it was either too hot or too cold. He spent more than three years as the national side’s head coach from 1998, hailed as the great redeemer during a long winning run only for the cheers to turn to jeers when the victories dried up, and he returned to
New Zealand for the sake of his mental health with 18 months left on his contract.
Henry bewailed a lack of proportion and historical awareness. Success was not only expected but demanded, but other than the 1900s, a few years in the 50s and the golden era of the 70s, Wales tended to muddle along. After 1911, they did not win the triple crown until 1950. Their 12 grand slams, apart from 2005, came in four clusters, the last three during the 12 years Warren Gatland was in charge.