He completed 18 of his 29 passing attempts for 336 yards and a touchdown, but more significant than the numbers was the manner in which he dismantled Atlanta's imposing defence: the Falcons simply could not find a way to stop him. To nobody's surprise, Elway was a unanimous choice of the game's Most Valuable Player.Atlanta came into the contest as underdogs, but full of confidence in their ability to spring an upset. This is why I came back." If this is finally the end, Elway signed off with a flourish. "This definitely throws a kink into what I decide to do next year," he said "But I am not even going to cross that bridge for a while. I'm going to enjoy this win because this is what I have been working nine months for.

The win, far more impressive than the final scoreline suggests, means that the Broncos have successfully defended their title, and that Elway has completed the challenge he set himself last June, when he announced his return for one final season. Now speculation has already begun that he may be tempted to come back next year to further enhance his reputation as one of the most inspirational quarterbacks to have ever played the game. AS SWANSONGS go, this was a compelling finale. Playing what may be the last game of a glittering 16-year career, John Elway gave one of his most accomplished performances to lead the Denver Broncos to a 34-19 triumph over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Still, I expect Wales to beat Scotland and France to beat Ireland who, however, remain the good value bet.I am backing France for the Championship, none the less.. The wiseacres said of him, as they say of every really fast wing, that "his defence is suspect".

They said it of Davies and Nigel Walker in Wales, of Andrew Harriman in England. They did not say it in Wales of Wayne Proctor, who can also shift. I wish him well, but he must count himself a fortunate young man. I wonder what is going through the mind of that other Swansea wing, Simon Davies. When Swansea last played South Africa, I saw him comprehensively outpace the visitors' defence, not once, but twice in the first half, when Swansea were in the lead. True they lost by 70-odd points in the second half, but that was not Davies' fault.Davies has never been given a chance of any kind in the Welsh side.