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With Wales in a slump dating back to October 2023, under-pressure head coach Warren Gatland said there is “no expectation” going into the 2025 Six Nations championship.
Wales will be in Paris on 31 January to open the tournament against France, desperate to snap a record run of 12 straight losses. Their last victory came in the pool stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, before losing to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
“There’s no expectation on us,” Gatland told reporters at the Six Nations launch in Rome on Tuesday. “People are writing us off. I said it before the World Cup, write us off at your peril.”
Gatland’s inexperienced squad includes uncapped players in flyhalf Dan Edwards and winger Ellis Mee. The return of No 8 Taulupe Faletau, fullback Liam Williams, winger Josh Adams and lock Dafydd Jenkins provide a boost.
“It’s been tough,” New Zealander Gatland said. “The pleasing thing for this campaign is we started to have some experience back with Faletau, Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins. Some of the strength in depth developed is a positive.”
Gatland, who returned as head coach for a second time in 2022, takes Wales to Paris next week seeking a first win at the Stade de France in six years. France are leading contenders for the title alongside Ireland, having beaten New Zealand and Argentina in November.
“Absolutely it’s a challenge for us,” Gatland said. “I thought they were excellent especially against Argentina and New Zealand. We almost have to have a siege mentality in terms of going to Paris.
“We have to create confidence and belief.”
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-21 12:51:10
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