Warren’s warriors can star in Japan
WALES have every chance of continuing their Six Nations success at the World Cup because they might not face a knockout tie against a top southern hemisphere team until the final. Get through the group in Japan and they will draw England, France or Argentina, then possibly Ireland in the semi-final. There is no one they will be scared of now and no one will want to play 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 from Ireland. It was simple, pragmatic and brilliant. Wales thoroughly deserved their Grand Slam. No one can have any qualms about them winning the Six Nations. I love Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies, as I have said before, 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 superb. 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. 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 for a long time. Steve Hansen was not very successful with them, nor was Graham Henry. They both learnt 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 such 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.