GRAHAM Henry can march on Australia in charge of the British Lions this summer with his head held reasonably high.

After Wales' dismal opening to the Six Nations, when they were hammered by England and then threw away a convincing lead to be held by Scotland, the omens didn't look good for Henry.

The England camp were gathering their weapons to fire at Henry, Clive Woodward in particular, stocking up his arsenal.

With most of the England squad certainties for the Lions tour and the back-up team of Andy Robinson, Phil Larder and Dave Aldred going, Woodward was the odd man out.

The storm clouds were gathering in the English media as well, one scribe claiming that if Wales got lost in France, Henry would go to Australia in charge of the Lions with all the credibility of Coco-the-Clown.

A win in France, therefore, was imperative, not only for Wales to rescue their season, but also for Henry on a personal level.

Thankfully for both and as a jolt for England's perceived supremacy Wales emerged from the Stade de France with a magnificent victory.

They did it again in Rome on Sunday if not in style then at least with some success.

The many thousands in the eternal city far more than in Paris three weeks earlier, demanded nothing less.

They had flooded not only the Stadio Flaminio but St Peter's Square, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps and everywhere else as the bewildered Italians, to whom rugby is still a minority sport, looked on in surprise at the sea of red confronting them.

The Welsh team came good again as they stretched their unbeaten away run to four games, the best for 22 years.

Refereeing was a major factor with New Zealander Paul Honiss showing a complete lack of understanding as he blew up constantly, lost control and nearly had a mutiny on his hands on and off the field.

There was no Welsh supporter in Rome who had a decent word to say for Honiss on Sunday night, and that was no excuse for the Welsh performance that rather fell away in the second half.

Nevertheless, Wales emerged in credit and if they dispose of Ireland whenever that particular match is played, can clinch runners-up spot in the championship, which seemed a distinct improbability two months ago.

The next stage now becomes Australia and the Lions, and how many of the Welsh team can get on the plane considering England's dominance.

A reasonable number now appears to be the answer, with Darren Morris having come up on the rails as a real possibility to join certainties like Rob Howley and Scott Quinnell.

Henry who will, of course, have a selector from each home country to consult, is a known supporter of Neil Jenkins and Scott Gibbs.

Both could go despite opposition from Jonny Wilkinson and Ronan O'Gara in Jenkins' case and Mike Catt as a playmaker and Rob Henderson as a similar type in Gibbs' case.

Colin Charvis and Mark Taylor can expect a call while Martyn Williams, Ian Gough and the Welsh wings are all outside possibilities.

But, most of all, England can't now get away with all the glory Wales will have a say and Henry has salvaged his reputation.

There will be no respite yet, though, as the domestic scene reaches a climax with Swansea going for a league and cup double.

Cardiff might have a say in the former and Newport the latter, but Swansea are well placed and their fans were confident enough in Rome at the weekend.

Newport will be embroiled in an all-Gwent semi-final with Ebbw Vale on Saturday.

Swansea's battling with Neath in the other to set up an east-west final.

Vale and Neath will be out to spoil the party and Swansea and Newport will drop their guard at their peril.