Six Nations 2025: Wales head coach Warren Gatland sends warning to rivals after winless campaign in 2024 | Rugby Union News
Warren Gatland has warned that people should write Wales off at their peril in this season’s Guinness Six Nations competition, despite the team being on a record losing streak.
The form guide suggests another tough campaign for Wales after picking up the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003 last season, with Gatland’s side on a 12-match Test losing streak and without a win since beating World Cup pool opponents Georgia 15 months ago .
Head coach Gatland has managed to bolster his squad with returning players such as Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau – who have 255 caps – despite losing Autumn Nations Series captain Dewi Lake to injury.
Mason Grady, Sam Costelow, Ryan Elias, Archie Griffin and Adam Beard are also out ahead of the incredibly tough opener against France in Paris on January 31, with 17 players in Gatland’s 34-man squad featuring in fewer than 10 Tests.
“The challenge for us was that after the World Cup we lost 18 players and so much experience,” Gatland said, speaking at the Six Nations media launch in Rome. “You’re picking youngsters, and it takes a bit of time. Some of the youngsters, seeing them develop will be really positive.
“We’re in a nice position because there’s no expectation. People write us off. I said the same before the World Cup (Wales were quarter-finalists). A lot of people said we wouldn’t even get out of our group.
“The message at the time was that you wrote us off at your own peril, and things haven’t changed there. This is such a difficult tournament to win. It’s so difficult. When you look back and win the Six Nations or a Grand Slam, there will be a few decisions that things went your way, the bounce of the ball or you were lucky in the tournament.”
Wales are 80/1 odds with some bookies for the title and it will be a significant achievement if they threaten to finish in the top three, a far cry from when Gatland enjoyed Grand Slam success as Wales boss.
“It’s the strongest game I’ve ever seen in terms of the quality of the players and the quality of the teams,” added Gatland. “I remember a long time when everyone would just talk about France and England at the start of the Five Nations or the Six Nations and who would win.
“The others were kind of trying to fight for scraps. People write us off, and I said it before the World Cup, you write us off at your own peril. We just have to create a bit of confidence and self-belief within our group, and almost like a siege mentality in terms of going to Paris.”
Townsend: Scotland can compete despite key injuries
Gregor Townsend insists Scotland have the strength to overcome the devastating loss of Sione Tuipulotu to injury for the entire Guinness Six Nations.
Tuipulotu, Scotland’s captain and star centre, needs surgery to repair a pectoral muscle damaged in training with Glasgow Warriors last week and is not expected to return until the end of the season.
Stafford McDowall is the leading candidate to pair alongside Huw Jones, but Rory Hutchinson and Tom Jordan are also options.
“It’s a real blow for Sione so close to the tournament and it’s a blow for the tournament and our fans not to be able to see him play,” Townsend said. “But as a team you have to accept that injuries happen and that’s why you build depth over a longer period.
“We’ve got some really good 12 players in our squad who now have an opportunity that they probably didn’t think would come. We’re backing them to go and grab that opportunity.”
Tuipulotu’s absence sees Rory Darge and Finn Russell take over as co-captains – roles they held in last year’s Six Nations until the Australian-born 27-year-old was appointed skipper for the autumn.
First-choice second-row Scott Cummings could also be out with a broken arm, while hooker Dylan Richardson is ruled out with a shoulder injury.
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