Boss Gatland mad keen on a crazy Wigan connection
WARREN GATLAND is looking to Wales’ “mad” Wigan connection to revive the good times in this season’s Six Nations.
Wigan rugby league legend Shaun Edwards was the barking sergeant major on the training ground in Gatland’s first spell in charge, when Wales won three Grand Slams.
With Edwards now an integral part of the successful France set-up, the returning Gatland has turned to another defence coach from the rugby league heartland in Mike Forshaw, who he believes can help repeat the success.
With long-serving Wales fitness guru Paul Stridgeon – also from Wigan – still on board, the link is a strong one.
“We’ve had quite a significant involvement with people from Wigan with a rugby league background and they’re all a bit mad – in a positive way,” said Gatland. “Mike’s going to bring personality, he’s incredibly upbeat and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“I had a chat to (Ireland head coach) Andy Farrell – they know each other pretty well – and he said it was a really good appointment. Andy was very positive in terms of him taking that step up.”
Forshaw arrives from Sale, who are on course for the Premiership semi-finals with the league’s best defensive record.
“I think Wiganers are similar to the Welsh people,” said Forshaw. “I’m from a mining town, where we’re pretty humble, pretty honest, hard-working and I think the Welsh are like that.
“I think they take that to their rugby. That will be a big part of what I want to instil.
“I’ve got big shoes to fill in those of Shaun, a great friend of mine who I played with, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Wales finished fifth in the 2022 Six Nations and suffered the ignominy of a home defeat to Italy in their final match of the championship.
But having axed boss Wayne Pivac and brought back a serial winner as head coach, hopes are high of a Gatland bounce.
The Kiwi, who has turned to veteran Scarlets hooker Ken Owens (below) to captain the side, believes he is not short of high-quality playing talent to work with.
“In the last three years since I’ve left, there have been some excellent performances from this Wales team,” said Gatland.
“They won the Six Nations in 2021 and they beat South Africa for the first time away from home.
“What they will be disappointed with is probably being a little bit inconsistent in terms of performing and that is the challenge for us.
“We have to make sure that we work hard and are prepared for all the games we play.
“We’re going to be really positive in the way we play, and smart as well.”