Ryan Jones a canny choice as captainWarren Gatland hasn’t taken too long to settle into his new role. He’s assembled a formidable coaching setup including trusted allies, Robert Howley and ‘the best coach in the world,’ according to Matt Dawson, in Shaun Edwards.
Bringing Martyn Williams out of retirement is a shrewd decision and paired alongside Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas, Wales have a back-row who can compete and spoil at the breakdown and attack in numbers.
Although one man won’t change a country’s fortunes, Gatland’s inclusion of 13 Ospreys players could turn out to be a masterstroke.
The coaches are obviously reading from the same page with defence a priority and the Ospreys have one of the most concrete covers in Europe, so the heavy bias is no surprise.
It’s a rarity that Wales have issues at scrum-half. Not since Chris Bridges have the Welsh been forced to choose. Mike Phillips hasn’t been playing for the Ospreys while Dwayne Peel, who is injured, has been making the headlines over his move to Sale. It’s time for Phillips to show his true colours.
Another crisis looms on the front-row and a meeting with ‘The Raging Bull’ and Andrew Sheridan wasn’t on the menu for starters.
Wales need some consistency and must leave the Six Nations knowing there is a ray of hope on the horizon. With Gavin Henson back in the side, they have a second kicking option as well as a decision maker, who can take the pressure off James Hook.
The mindset is peripheral to Wales’ chances and if Gatland’s Midas touch conjures up the unthinkable at Twickenham then Warren ‘the great redeemer,’ will have earned cult status albeit prematurely.
One to watch: Gavin Henson
Prediction: 4th