Sam Warburton: Wales have ‘clean slate’ after ‘biggest reset since Warren Gatland’
Wales legend Sam Warburton and an inset of head coach Steve Tandy.
Legendary flanker Sam Warburton is upbeat about Wales ahead of the Autumn Nations Series following an overhaul of the Test set-up.
Steve Tandy has taken over the head coaching reins from interim boss Matt Sherratt, who was tasked with leading the team following the dismissal of Warren Gatland after a disastrous second stint in charge of the side.
Sherratt now forms part of Tandy’s support staff along with Danny Wilson, Dan Lydiate, Rhys Patchell, Duncan Jones and Neil Jenkins.
It’s not only the new-look coaching staff that excites Warburton, but the overhaul of the squad too, as the legendary flanker says there is a ‘brand new’ feeling about the set-up.
Biggest rest since 2008
He admits there is a lack of world-class talent and depth in Tandy’s ranks when compared to other nations, but is still rather optimistic.
“It feels like the biggest reset since Warren Gatland arrived in 2008. All the old players have gone. It feels brand new,” he wrote in his Times column.
“They were underwhelming in Japan in the summer, given that they were only really without the Lions Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, as well as Dafydd Jenkins who did not tour because of injury.
“The refreshing thing for Wales, though, is there’s a whole new coaching set-up. I even know there have been some backroom staff changes as well, with longstanding members moving on. Steve Tandy has come in and rejigged everything. It is a clean slate and it is exciting.”
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Wales have the players to compete
Wales have somewhat of a challenging November ahead of them, facing Argentina first up, followed by clashes with Japan and New Zealand.
Their final game will be against the Springboks in a match outside of the official World Rugby international window.
While the former skipper doesn’t make any predictions or set any goals for Tandy and his charges this window, he believes that the Test environment will be an enjoyable one.
“As a playing group, yes, Wales do not have the depth of other teams. Yes, they don’t have the world-class players of other teams. But they can try to find 15 who can compete. I think there are players there who can do that, who can be competitive,” he added.
“Tandy has picked well in asking some excellent people to support him, people I know the players will really enjoy working with. It will probably become a very enjoyable place to be, because the criticism in the past has been that they haven’t quite had that sort of environment.”
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