With two wins from two and a Grand Slam in his sights, Gatland turns heat on Jones
WARREN GATLAND wants Wales to lure England into a false sense of security before a potential Six Nations Championship decider in Cardiff at the end of the month. The Welsh have not lost in nearly a year now, and ticked off their 11th consecutive win in Rome to equal the national record that has stood for 109 years. But after a shocking first half in Paris and a disjointed 80 against Italy, Wales have been underwhelming despite winning two from two like England, Gatland is hoping their lack of fluency means Wales are written off for the Principality Stadium clash with England. ‘We have probably helped ourselves a little bit by not playing as well as we could have and as a result everyone will talk England up,’ he said. ‘Sometimes that’s easier to help motivate yourself if that happens. ‘I thought the England performance against Ireland was the best I have seen from an England team in the last five years. Tactically they were outstanding.’ All said with a twinkle in the eye, Gatland knows what awaits England in the Welsh capital will be like nothing they have faced so far. And with a long buildup to that massive match, he is sure Wales will be ready. ‘Everyone before the tournament thought that the decider might come down to that last game with Ireland,’ he added. ‘But obviously now there are just two of us still in with a chance for a Grand Slam and the Triple Crown, so there will be no lack of motivation. ‘It will be electric in the Principality Stadium, and it gives us a chance to be at home. ‘Once you are on a run like this you don’t want it to go. We have a few things to work on, which is always pleasing — and a couple of really tough weeks of training. ‘For us to get two away wins is an outstanding start. It was not a great performance but it is a great start to the tournament. ‘Things are in our own hands, with two home
games to come.’ And lock Jake Ball knows Wales owe England one after the way they lost last year, with Gareth Anscombe’s try controversially disallowed in a 12-6 Twickenham defeat. ‘To lose a game like that was gutting from a personal point of view and I know the boys won’t want to feel like that again.’