Six members of the Wales Grand Slam 2005 side have answered the sponsor’s call to arms and expressed their overwhelming support for their 2006 team mates on the day the line-up to face Les Blues was announced.
British Lions and Wales stars Tom Shanklin, Ryan Jones, Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Brent Cockbain and captain Gareth Thomas are unable to help on the pitch due to injury, but all turned out at team headquarters today to encourage fans to keep up the positive thinking.
“This is a big match for the team and for the fans so we’re backing the Brains’ campaign to get everyone into a positive frame of mind,” said Shanklin. “The boys just need to relax, go out there and enjoy it, get the performance right and hopefully the score board can look after itself.”
Shanklin’s international team-mate Jones is also in an upbeat mood this week in spite of some of the gloomy comments he’s been hearing while working as a TV pundit.
“We have the best fans in the world and they proved that last year when they gave us an extra edge and helped us achieve what many said was unachievable,” said Jones. “If the fans can do it again this weekend the boys have a chance of keeping that unbeaten record at the Millennium Stadium on track. The fans help us make it an intimidating place to play, the boys really appreciated it last year and it helped us click and it could well be the contributing factor this year.
“I’ll be there singing my heart out in any case and there’ll be at least six of us in good voice with Shanks, Coops, Peely, Alfie and Brent all backing the boys!”
Brains rounded up their special cheerleaders this week to provide a boost to the national squad and Richard Davies, sales and marketing director for Brains, is hoping that a little more positive thinking can go a long way.
“It’s time for one last positive thinking push as we take on the French and we couldn’t think of anyone better than the Grand Slamming Welsh Lions to lead the charge,” said Richard. “Win or lose, our positive thinking campaign is all about celebrating the natural optimism of the Welsh nation.
“In pubs and clubs around Wales we’ll be making sure the fans can enjoy the big match atmosphere on Saturday and we look forward to the summer tour, autumn series and 2007 Championship and Rugby World Cup where I’m sure the team will make us proud yet again. Good luck Wales!”
