Well what about throwing the name of Megan York into the hat? The Ynysddu and Dragons loose head turned into a match winner for the Welsh Women’s side in their recent Six Nations game against France at The Gnoll with a stunning try.
It was a great way to celebrate her 22nd cap for Wales and it helped Rachel Taylor’s side secure only their fourth win over the French. This weekend they head to the Twickenham Stoop in search of a second successive win over England.
But before they went we thought we’d ask Megan’s team mates to rate her try against the one scored by the legendary Price on his Wales debut against the French in Paris in 1975. Once rated the fourth vest try ever scored by a Welsh player, ‘Pricey’ has dined out on that score for the past 40 years.
The challenge we put to the Welsh Women’s squad as they prepared to take on the English was to rate the two tries in three categories and determine which is the best try ever scored by a Welsh prop.
‘Pricey’s’ 80 metre run for a debut score in the Parisian cauldron of Parc des Princes helped Wales to beat the French 25-10 in 1975 and kick-started Wales’ push for an 18th Five Nations title. The Pontypool legend went on to play a then record 41 times for Wales as a prop and started in a Welsh record 12 Tests for the British & Irish Lions on three tours.
As for Megan, her 22 metre sprint for glory not only completed a magnificent counter attack by her side, but also earned Wales a rare victory over France to clinch qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup.
So we asked the Welsh Women’s squad to compare the two tries and try to determine which one was the best by rating them out of 10 in three categories – Athleticism, Significance and Wow Factor.
Now 64, ‘Pricey’ turned up at the WRU’s National Centre of Excellence last weekend to have his try scrutinised by Megan’s team mates and was delighted to learn that his rival lives just down the road from him in Pontnewynydd.
“I saw Megan’s try on television and it really was a great team effort. She still had a lot of work to do, and a long way to go, but she finished it off superbly,” he admitted.
“It was a matchwinner in every sense and I’m just delighted to discover she is from the home of Welsh props in Gwent. The women’s game is full of skill and excitement these days and it was great seeing them beating the French with a really creative performance.
“Now I hope they can go on a beat England this weekend – with another try from the front row union!
So how did the Welsh Women’s squad rate the two wonder Welsh tries? It was close, but there was only ever going to be one winner!
SIGNIFICANCE
GP: Pricey’s try helped a Welsh team with six new caps come out on top in Paris and set-up a championship winning campaign.
MY: York’s touchline sprint put Wales back in front against the French and steered them to a 10-8 victory. It was only the fourth win by Wales over France and secured a ticket to next year’s World Cup.
Vote: Price 9 – York 10
Athleticism
GP: A French move broke down on the Welsh 22 and the ball was hacked on down the field by JJ Williams. The whippet in the Welsh back line chased hard deep into the home 22, where the French cover defence lost the ball three metres out from their line. Who was on hand to pick up the bouncing ball? None other than the young Welsh tight head prop, Graham Price!
MY: A sweeping Welsh counter attack began with a great solo run by Bethan Dainton from just outside her 22 and ended up with a move from right to left 30 metres out. Sioned Harries carried into the French 22 and her inside pass sent York on her magnificent run to the line.
Vote: Price 9 – York 9
Wow Factor
GP: Prop forwards rarely score tries and, if they do, they normally power their way over from a couple of metres. But Pricey was embarking on one of the greatest international careers by a player in the northern hemisphere. He was a very special player and he revealed his determination and character by following the ball and running 80 metres.
MY: Amy Evans, York’s fellow prop, caused the initial turn-over with a bone-jarring tackle and when the move sped upfield, York followed the play and supported superbly on the inside. She still had a French defender to beat, but it was no problem!
Vote: Price 8 – York 10
Greatest Try by a Welsh Prop: Graham Price 26/30 – Megan York 29/30
“What an honour,” admitted York after meeting Price in the wake of the vote. “My father was a huge fan of Graham Price and the Pontypool front row and told me all about them.
“I just finished off what was a great team effort to score my try. It was a great win for us and what made it even better was that it ensured we qualify for the World Cup next year.
“That has take the pressure off us for the rest of the Six Nations, although we obviously want to keep on winning.”
To put York’s achievement into perspective, Pricey’s try was once voted the fourth best try ever scored.
“These days I tell everyone I started running in the Champs Elysees and beat the whole of the French team to score,” quipped Pricey. “However good a try it was, and I was really proud of it, I was quickly brought down to earth when I turned up for training at Pontypool the next week.
Our coach, Ray Prosser, stood in the dressing room door as I was telling everyone about my try and really put me in my place. ‘Pricey, those French props must have been bloody hopeless if you had the energy to run that far – it’s extra scrummage practice for you tonight because you won’t have it that easy again’.”
