After a stunning finale weekend to the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, there were – unsurprisingly – no shortage of talking points.
There was disbelief at an unbelievable comeback at Twickenham, condolences for injured friends, but – most of all – praise for Grand Slam winning Wales.
Here’s a selection of the best quotes of the weekend.
Warren Gatland: “Having been involved with Wales and this group of players for so long I just hope that they can continue to potentially do what we have done over the last 10-12 years being successful from a percentage point of view in the Six Nations.
“I know when those players put that jersey on that it is not always about winning, the Welsh public just want to see this group try hard and if they try hard that is all you can ask for.”
Eddie Jones: “In the first half we played some exceptional rugby and we should have been ahead by a lot more.
“We came in at half time determined to play a bit tighter and with more discipline, but we failed to do that.
“I thought our finishers did exceptionally well to get us out of jail at the end but obviously I am disappointed with the 80 minutes.”
Joe Schmidt: “I’d like to take my hat off to Gats. To be an international coach for 12 years, I’ve done six years and it has damn near killed me, so I don’t know how he has managed 12.
“To be as competitive as they have been – they hadn’t won one for five years so to get this one you could see what it meant to them when they were celebrating.
“We would loved to have won but hats off to them.”
Gregor Townsend: “I’ve never been involved in a game like that as a player or a coach.
“Especially when you think about the team that we are up against and what a good defence they have got so yeah, it is the most unusual game I have been involved in.”
Sergio Parisse: “My emotion was not for my last match but because of Leonardo’s (Ghiraldini’s) situation.
“When I saw Leo at the end it was hard because he gives so much. When you see teammates hurting themselves it’s hard.”
Eddie Jones: “Wales were excellent, the best team in the competition. They’ve got an excellent defence and they deserve the honour.”
Alun Wyn Jones: “I don’t know whether I’m getting soft in my old age, but when you see young men grow over an eight-week period, I’m really proud.
“Proud is the word to represent the country. It’s very simple, that was the message before the game: be proud to represent who you are and where you’re from and if you work hard, you get your rewards.”
