Gatland still ready to change
Warren Gatland is still not prepared to adhere to the old 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' mantra ahead of Wales' next Six Nations game against Italy.
Warren Gatland is still not prepared to adhere to the old 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' mantra ahead of Wales' next Six Nations game against Italy.
Gatland, speaking in the aftermath of his team's 30-15 win over Scotland on Saturday, said he would still make tweaks to his team for reasons of freshness and motivation.
Wales struggled to convert their superiority into the convincing win it ought to have been, with only a controversial Shane Williams try late in the game giving the Welsh an unassailable lead.
Substitutions – particularly the change in the half-backs with 20 minutes to go – made a visible difference to the Welsh momentum and strategic execution as the game drew to a close.
“The changes will not be wholesale but there will be some, they will freshen us up, give enthusiasm and impetus,” said Gatland to the BBC.
“Some guys made a mark off the bench – Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Gareth Delve and Stephen Jones took us home.
“Changes will be on performance and on rota. I'll probably pick the side this week to give more preparation time.”
Gatland's mid-game axe ignored reputation, with captain Ryan Jones also being ushered off to make way for Gareth Delve.
“I was obviously disappointed, but I'm part of a winning team at home, that's another good day,” said Jones, who admitted the “huge impact” made by the replacements.
“The performance was patchy but we're two from two, you can't ask more.”
Wales now have a home match against Italy, followed by a home match against France and then an away tie on the final day against stuttering Ireland.
Given their current form, Welsh minds are beginning to turn to the possibility of a second Grand Slam in four years, but Gatland's is not. Not yet anyway.
“The pleasing thing for me is that we're not going to get the Wooden Spoon, and we have got the chance of the Triple Crown,” continued Gatland.
“At the back of your mind you always have that [Grand Slam] dream, but if you start talking too far in the future you are going to get caught with your pants down and we have to make sure that doesn't happen.
“We are trying to get a bit of shape into our game, we know the way we want to play, it's just a matter of implementing it by the players.
“I have said it will take two years to be a really good side. When we get there we are going to be pretty good.
“The skill level is brilliant, the attitude is fantastic. If we continue with the hard work we will get there.
“I'm pretty sure there is no team in the Six Nations working as hard as we are.”