I find the line about Wales being a nation of poets and musicians a curious one. It's total nonsense, of course. Wales was historically never any more of a musical nation than any other part of the UK. A Welsh massed choir won a prestigious choral competition, one that the best singers from around South Wales were selected. No other choirs took part, but it didn't stop the media suggesting Wales was a land of song. Wales, a country going through huge changes, cashed in on this and male voice choirs became popular. Early rugby popularity started in a similar way. Wales got much of its late 19th century identity from the English media. There's an irony.