RELIEVED GATLAND EYES WORLD CUP

WARREN GATLAND’S World Cup masterplan will kick into action today, as Wales plot their path to Japan having finished second in the Six Nations.

The win over France was rather plodding but Gatland hailed a successful tournament, saying: ‘We are pretty satisfied with where we are.

‘I was relieved that we ground out a win to finish second.’ Gatland will rest the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens and George North for the tour of Argentina and June’s match against South Africa in Washington DC. The head coach will then use the November Tests as a ‘conditioning’ phase, concentrating on replicating World Cup conditions and developing skills, rather than the usual intense rugby sessions.

Gatland does not think Six Nations champions Ireland are unreachable. ‘They are a tough team to get the ball off and hard to break down. You’ve got to stay in that arm wrestle with them.’