Warren’s warriors can star in Japan

WALES have got every chance of continuing their Six Nations success at the World Cup, having beaten all the best European sides, as they might not face a top southern hemisphere team in the knockout rounds until the final. Get through the group in Japan and they will draw Eddie Jones’ (right) England or France or Argentina, and then could face Ireland in the semi-final. There is no one they will be scared of now and no one will want to play against them either. To beat a very strong Ireland team so well was fantastic. They made Joe Schmidt’s side look average by controlling the ball, kicking their goals and forcing mistakes. It was simple, pragmatic and brilliant. Wales thoroughly deserved their Grand Slam. I love Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies, but outside those guys Hadleigh Parkes was immense. Aside from the try he scored, the centre was incredible in Scotland and incredible again against Ireland. He never looks too flash but is brilliant. Yet again, Warren Gatland has made a team great. He should take some time to enjoy this before he focuses on the World Cup. I have nothing but respect for him and the job he has done. Coaching Wales is possibly the toughest job in world rugby. You are completely in the goldfish bowl and have to bring together players who rarely succeed with their regions. You compare their team on paper with Ireland’s and you see a great contest but Gatland turns Wales into something special like no one else has been able to do there for a long time. Steve Hansen was not very successful with them, nor was Graham Henry. They both learned a lot and went on to win World Cups with New Zealand, so for Gatland to do what he has done with Wales just shows how good he is. And to do it for 12 years takes some resilience. He has had his critics, and former players taking shots at him throughout, but he has done an amazing job. Gatland and Shaun Edwards have been a formidable team and, as an Englishman, I am just disappointed the pair have never coached here. Well done to Wales. Their success is totally deserved.