Stridgeon puts it all on red

PAUL Stridgeon was born in Wigan and represented England at the Commonwealth Games – but he wants to see the Red Rose wilt on Saturday.

As Wales’ national physical performance manager, former freestyle wrestler Stridgeon plays a critical role among head coach Warren Gatland’s support team.

He has previously worked with England - a six-year stint - the British and Irish Lions, Toulon and Wasps, and is rated among the best operators in his field.

And if Wales stay on course for a Six Nations Grand Slam by beating title favourites England in Cardiff next weekend, then Stridgeon will have played a key part.

“People always ask me and Shaun (Edwards, Wales assistant coach) that question – ‘what’s it like when you play England? Who do you want to win?”’ Stridgeon said.

“It is like, ‘are you having a laugh?’ “We work for Wales. We want to win more than the Welsh boys, if that’s possible.

“On the coach on the way back (after beating England in the 2015 World Cup) I am there with my top off, and my suit trousers on, dancing.

“Me and Shaun were happier than anyone to have beaten England – because it’s your old team.”

Stridgeon and Edwards went to the same school, and they will be instrumental figures for Wales through the Six Nations, into summer preparations and then the World Cup in Japan.

“This is the best squad I’ve worked with, definitely,” Stridgeon added.

Driving fitness levels is Stridgeon’s forte, and he has no doubt which way the Wales players are heading in that department.

“You can’t be the best if you are not the fittest,” he said. “The coaches allow us a lot of time to do what we want and need to do. Warren is not all about rugby. He is the sort of coach who if the boys are tired, he will cancel a rugby session and let us do some weights with them. That’s how much emphasis he puts and places on strength and conditioning performance.”