That was the year that was for Welsh rugby

So, 2011 is nearly over and for Welsh rugby supporters it’s been a year to remember – well, most of it.

Okay, Wales were a French – sorry, I mean Irish – referee’s decision away from reaching the World Cup final in New Zealand but the team exceeded most people’s expectations in finishing fourth.

Would Wales have made the final had Sam Warburton not been sent-off? Probably. Would they have made the final had they not missed their kicks at goal? Definitely.

When it comes down to it, you can blame Alain Rolland as much as you want – and rightly so – Wales’ destiny was still in their own hands after Mike Phillips’ try.

But they will be just as strong, if not stronger, in four years’ time and looking ahead to next year and further down the line I think Wales are in the healthiest position of all four of the Home Nations – who’d want to be an England fan right now?

The only thing that has blotted the landscape is Wales’ inability to beat one of the big three southern hemisphere nations. As much as I would have loved to see them in the World Cup final, I don’t think anyone was going to deny the All Blacks.

It’s a couple of years now since Wales managed a win against any of the Tri Nations teams so that is why it’s so important to keep playing them year in, year out. You never know, we might just do it in 2012.

They’ll have to go about doing it, and attempting to win the Six Nations, without Shane Williams of course. The wing wizard hung up his boots on the Test stage earlier this month and the question is now, who to replace him with?

If Lee Byrne comes back to form you’d have to go with him at full-back and Leigh Halfpenny on the wing with George North. Should that not happen then the likes of Alex Cuthbert, Aled Brew and Tom James are in contention to fill the vacancy.

What’s clear though is the youthful feel to the Wales set-up, the back-row of Faletau, Lydiate and Warburton should be in place for the next seven of eight years at least. In the backs, North, if he stays injury-free, could become a real Welsh rugby legend after the start he has made to the game already.

With the likes of Jonathan Davies, Rhys Priestland, Halfpenny and Jamie Roberts all still relatively young the three-quarters also seem to be in good hands for some time. The only area that is of some concern a few seasons down the line is the front-row.

As for the Six Nations, it should be a two-horse race between Wales and France. I know it’s dangerous to write teams off but England don’t have a hope and although the French will be one of the favourites, if they play anything like they did at the World Cup, other than the final, the only thing they’ll win is the wooden spoon.

By David Williams