Warren Gatland admits experienced players have helped the confidence of Wales squad: 5 talking points from the pre-match press conference
Yesterday at 02:44 PM
It's no easy introduction to the Guinness Six Nations for Warren Gatland's men as they travel to Paris on Friday evening, but with experienced players back in the fold, it has helped massively.
The likes of British and Irish Lions duo Liam Williams and Josh Adams, with the winger making his first appearance for the Welsh side since the 2024 Championship. Williams, who starts at fullback, has got 92 Caps, and with the pair together having more than 150 appearances on the international stage combined, it brings back very much-needed experience into the Welsh Squad.
Even with the centre partnership, Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins get the nod, with both playing with one another on four occasions. The only caveat to this is that Watkins starts on the inside whereas Tompkins is on the outside this is the opposite of the four times they have played together. Maybe this is a move for Gatland moving forward to involve Joe Roberts at some point, who knows.
Gatland sat down with the media ahead of his side jetting off Paris at the Vale Resort, here are the five main talking points from the pre-match press conference.
1- The experience of having Liam Williams and Josh Adams back
"That was a part of our thinking, in terms of bringing some experience back in," said Gatland.
"Trying to get a balance between those players, with what they've done in the past, having a voice and giving some confidence to those around them."
Focussing more on 33-year-old Williams who has returned to the UK recently after a period in Japan. He was recently involved for Wales in the summer tour of Australia and after not being able to play in last years Championship due to him playing for the Kuboto Spears, his return to Saracens allows the experienced fullback to play.
"Liam probably knows what it was like when he was a young player. He wasn't always the most confident speaking up in team meetings, but you develop that overtime.
"You develop your leadership and confidence. It's been pleasing to see some of those players take a real positive lead. Ben Thomas (starts at 10 on Friday) has been excellent. Jac Morgan, Josh Adams and Liam have been really good in giving clear messages.
"Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin as well, there's a real positive buzz around the squad at the moment," added Gatland.
2- Not the welcome return supporters were expecting in the back row
Taulupe Faletau who has over 100 international caps for Wales misses out as Dragons RFC, Aaron Wainwright gets the nod for the eight jersey. Accompanying him will be James Botham and Welsh captain, Jac Morgan.
"He's not quite ready", admitted Gatland on the fitness of Faletau.
"He made the call on Tuesday to say he's not quite ready for selection. He's still part of the squad and he'll still come with us. He didn't feel he'd be 100 per cent for Friday so he wanted some more time for Italy.
"We're hoping that he'll be right for Italy."
3- "We still want to see Ben as a ten option"- Gatland on moving Thomas to fly-half
With many making the argument of Ben Thomas starting in the 10 jersey when Cardiff Rugby played Connacht in the Challenge Cup as an audition for that starting position spot, that potentially proved right. The 26-year-old has been given the opportunity ahead of uncapped Dan Edwards who potentially can make his debut off the bench.
"We still want to see Ben as a ten option, we spoke to him about that.
"He was comfortable about wanting to take on that responsibility. He's had a bit of time there with his last game for Cardiff. I thought he went pretty well there.
"He's comfortable defending there, having defended at twelve. He's able to handle traffic coming down his channel.
"For Dan, we see him as an exciting player for the future.
"We wanted him to come in during the Autumn and have that experience. Unfortunately, he had a groin issue and a head knock, so he wasn't able to do that. He's been playing some good rugby, he's calm.
"I've spoken to a number of the Ospreys players, who have spoken really positively about his growth and leadership within the Ospreys environment. We're just giving him a bit of time," said Gatland.
4- The appointment of Andy McCann
Performance specialist, McCann who previously worked with the Wales senior squad from 2009-2017, made his return to the Welsh set-up in an advisory role. He is a specialist in psychology and human performance and is renowned for expertise in mental skills and player performances. His role will support the squad in improving their mindset.
On this new but late appointment, Gatland said: "I think the positive about Andy is when he's presenting to the group, he's talking about the realities of professional sport, real life and he talks about resilience in terms of mental toughness.
"He brings a wealth of experience and it's just someone who has that experience not just in rugby but also in other sports. He's been working with Atlantic rowers in terms of breaking records with the military as well. So, he's got a wealth of knowledge in terms of not just involved with rugby but being involved in other disciplines as well.
5- Is it a big call starting Cardiff Rugby's Evan Lloyd?
Despite not being first choice hooker for the Blue and Blacks at club level, 23-year-old Lloyd will make his first start for Wales in Paris. The hooker came off the bench on five occasions last year and played in all of Wales' summer tour matches against South Africa and Australia.
"I just think he's definitely a player for the future," said Gatland.
"I know he hasn't had a lot of starts and Elliot Dee hasn't had a lot of starts. I didn't really consider Sam (Parry) for this week. He had some tight hamstring issues last week and didn't take a lot of part in training.
"He's (Evan) a big man, we know how good he is around the field. Yes, he's got some learning to do from his set piece stuff. I think the thing for Evan is that he's going to have a lot of nerves and a lot of stuff, it's just us trying to get around him and show him that we have the confidence and belief in him.
"For him going out there knowing that there's people in Wales hoping that he's going to do well. It's going to be a big challenge for him, we talked about negativity, and I don't want that negativity to get to him where people are saying that he shouldn't be selected or he's not good to enough to be there.
"Like I said, I think he is an outstanding rugby player", Gatland concluded.
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