Welsh football and rugby can re-live some of the nation’s best moments over the coming weeks, as BBC One Wales broadcasts some iconic games from the archive.
With the sporting season cancelled for the coming months, due to the current Coronavirus crisis, the broadcaster is set to show a number of full-length historic Welsh football and rugby matches on BBC One Wales and on BBC iPlayer.
The series kicked-off last Saturday when Terry Yorath’s men took to BBC One Wales to clinch victory over world champions Germany, attracting a peak audience of 93,000 viewers.
This Saturday, rugby fans are in for a treat as the Mike Ruddock’s men take on Ireland in this historic game from the 2005 Six Nations in Cardiff at 1.15pm, Saturday 11 April on BBC One Wales and on BBC iPlayer. See Wales clinch their first grand slam since 1978 with a historic victory against a formidable Irish side.
Gareth Charles, who was part of the commentary team for the 2005 Wales v Ireland game, says: “The 2005 victory over Ireland was a landmark moment in Welsh sporting history. The first grand slam in a quarter of a century, it gave the national side a new momentum and gave the nation hope of a new era in Welsh rugby. The match remains as one of the stand-out games for many Welsh fans thanks to stars such as Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams. So this Saturday, put your jersey on, settle down in front of the telly and enjoy!”
Fans can re-live that extraordinary Kevin Morgan try which sealed the championship for Wales. There’s also Gethin Jenkins’ incredible try and some questionable haircuts to entertain fans this Easter Saturday as they get the chance to see some of their favourite sportsmen claim a momentous win.
Viewers will also be treated to some other heroic football performances from yesteryear such as Wales’ incredible David and Goliath battle against a star-studded Brazilian team in Cardiff 1991. Following the victory against world champions Germany – seen last Saturday – Dean Saunders’ strike inspired Terry Yorath’s men to their only win ever against the five-time World Cup winners.
There will also be a chance to watch the famous win against Italy in 2002 when Craig Bellamy sealed victory for Wales with a goal in the 71st minute. With so many footballing icons on display from Alessandro Del Piero to Cafu, the victories are definitely worth a watch.
Another great match on our screens will be Welsh rugby’s performance against England in Wembley in 1999, widely seen as one of the most memorable matches in the Five Nations Championship’s history. Wales welcomed the heavy favourites to their adopted home of Wembley for the final match of the 1999 Five Nations campaign. The Welshmen were determined the ruin the party for an English team that were one win away from securing a grand slam. As England continued to push ahead, Wales’ metronome, Neil Jenkins kept Wales knocking on their door before THAT iconic try by Scott Gibbs secured Wales an historic victory over their fierce rivals.
BBC Wales Head of Commissioning, Nick Andrews. says: “We’ve raided the sport archives as part of a pan-BBC Wales effort to entertain the nation. These are the very best sporting moments from history on BBC One Wales and on BBC iPlayer. Fans young and old will come to these iconic sporting moments, games that create generation-defining memories, games that have fuelled the conversation around countless dinner tables across the nation are about to do so once more.”