Gatland delighted by Welsh response
Wales coach Warren Gatland hailed his side's stunning Six Nations title and Grand Slam double after France went down to the resurgent men in red in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wales coach Warren Gatland hailed his side's stunning Six Nations title and Grand Slam double after France went down to the resurgent men in red in Cardiff on Saturday.
The New Zealander inspired Wales to a tournament clean sweep after just five games at the coaching helm.
Their 29-12 Millennium Stadium victory over France completed a remarkable Six Nations campaign as Wales secured a second Grand Slam and Six Nations crown in four seasons.
A Six Nations campaign that started with Wales beating England at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years, ended amid scenes of raw emotion as second-half tries by wing Shane Williams and flanker Martyn Williams sealed victory.
In the process, Shane Williams claimed his 41st Test touchdown, beating the previous Welsh record held by Gareth Thomas.
Gatland said: “We knew if we could win the first game against England – and we were lucky enough to do that after a poor first-half performance – we then had two successive home games.
“It gave us a chance if we could get some momentum, and if you win a few games you become difficult to beat in this tournament. If you lose a few, you are looking at the wooden spoon.”
Gatland has turned Wales into kings of Europe less than six months after they failed to reach the World Cup knockout stage under his predecessor Gareth Jenkins.
And Gatland added: “We put a few structures in place and a bit of honesty and self-belief, and these guys have been magnificent.
“You get what you deserve, and on reflection, we thoroughly deserved to win the Six Nations. I am delighted for the players.
“The last six months have been pretty tough for them, but they have responded fantastically well.
“I will probably wake up with a smile and a hangover tomorrow. I try not to categorise things, but winning the Grand Slam in your first season is pretty special.”
Gatland also took a swipe at England after Wales set a new Six Nations defensive record of conceding just two tries in five games, beating England's mark of four in 2002 and 2003.
England missed out on capturing the services of Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards, and Gatland said: “England offered Shaun a job with the [England] Saxons – a big compliment that is, isn't it?
“The defence did magnificently. We spoke at half-time and said it could take 65 or 70 minutes to break France down.
“It was a real Test match. It was tight, and that's what the public want to see. They want to see two sides going hammer and tongs and see who is going to crack first.”
Wales made a remarkable 128 tackles in the game – 49 more than France – and Edwards said: “We have a saying that offence sells tickets, defence wins championships.
“The attitude in defence has superseded anything I could have dreamt of.
“To concede only two tries in five games is a massive credit to the players.
“There is no doubt that teams with the best defences often win championships, whether it would be in soccer, American football, rugby union, rugby league or whatever.”
And Edwards also saluted the brilliant Shane Williams, who equalled Will Greenwood's record of six tries in one Six Nations tournament.
He added: “Shane Williams is a match-winner.
“He is a joy to coach, and he is a predator who will sniff out tries. Any half-chance, he will finish it off.”
Wales skipper Ryan Jones epitomised the effort his players put into a punishing contest, admitting: “Everyone is knackered.
“It was probably the toughest Test match I have been involved in. We pushed ourselves to the limit and we have got our reward.
“These are experiences and memories that money can't buy. We will treasure those memories as individuals and as a team.
“We knew it might take a long time to break France, and the defence worked its socks off. It was a battle to see who cracked first, and fortunately it wasn't us.”