Pelous isn’t taking anything for granted following Wales’s 36-15 defeat in Dublin. He ranked the Welsh as one of the most improved sides at the Rugby World Cup.
“I will be expecting a tough game because Wales have a number of talented players, notably Shane Williams who was the revelation of the Rugby World Cup in my eyes,” he said. “Wales surprised a lot of people in the tournament by rejuvenating their playing squad. That allowed them to produce such inspiring performances, especially against New Zealand.”
Pelous will make his tenth appearance against Wales on Sunday. It will be his eighty-ninth cap and his twenty-first as Captain since making his debut against Romania back in 1995.
“I got one of my first Championship caps against Wales at the old Cardiff Arms Park. I have been on the losing side to Wales on plenty of occasions since, including a defeat as Captain at the Stade de France in 2001,” said Pelous. “Next weekend I will be happy with a narrow victory if that means my winning run as Captain continues a bit longer this time around.
“I was last Captain for two seasons in 2000 and 2001 and things were a lot more difficult then. There were constantly a lot of changes in the team through players leaving international rugby after the 1999 Rugby World Cup and through injurues and my record as Captain was unimpressive to say the least.
“The squad is a lot more stable now and I feel I have a more mature approach to the job too. Above all, it is the results that count and with two wins out of two, I have to be satisfied.
“This team is full of good intentions and although we still have to work on our execution, things are going as plan at the moment and the spirit in the side in top drawer.”
The prize for Pelous and his team is to stay on course for a Grand Slam shoot out with Rugby World Cup holders England at Stade de France in the final round of Championship matches.
