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Filed under: Warren Gatland

Dan Carter cleared to play

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via allBlacks.com

History is set to repeat after a drenched Daniel Carter cruised through All Blacks training today and was cleared to play in the second rugby test against Wales on Saturday.

Question marks have hung over both teams' playmakers this week but New Zealand emerged on the right sight of the ledger as star first five-eighth Carter proved he was over a calf niggle while veteran Welsh No 10 Stephen Jones was relegated to the reserves because of a thumb problem.

Wales coach Warren Gatland said Jones' replacement, 20-year-old Dan Biggar, was always going to start this test, and that the veteran might not even make it to the bench, depending on a medical assessment. Flying another first five-eighth out from Wales as cover had been considered but it was deemed such a player would arrive too late.

There was better news on the other side of Hamilton after the All Blacks completed a 90-minute session in teeming rain near the Waikato Stadium match venue.

Carter, who scored two tries amid a 27-points haul in the 42-9 first test win at Dunedin, stretched for longer than his teammates before taking a full part in training, including a goalkicking session at the end.

His buildup bears an uncanny resemblance to the two teams' test in Cardiff last November when Carter was under an injury cloud all week due to a calf niggle.

Welsh management doubted he would start but he did, going on to commit a high tackle during the 19-12 win which saw him suspended for a week.

Gatland was dubious again today, admittedly before the All Blacks trained, speculating on whether the All Blacks would turn to halfback Piri Weepu or youngster Aaron Cruden to replace Carter at No 10.

He also took the chance to highlight a perennial chink in New Zealand's armour -- providing backup for Carter and captain Richie McCaw.

"Last year you could see when Dan and Richie weren't playing, the number of games that they tended to not be as competent as what they were last week," he said.

"What I'm saying is not new ... that New Zealand are not quite as potent without those two players, or one of those players when one of them is missing."

Presuming Carter plays, there will be no room for Luke McAlister, who was called into the All Blacks squad today on standby.

Second five-eighth McAlister, who has starred in the New Zealand Maori team's three wins this month, would have provided bench cover, with Cruden starting in place of Carter.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry would not want to risk Carter's health ahead of the Tri-Nations, with the 28-year-old proving last week he was back to his best form after a subdued Super 14 campaign with the Crusaders.

Biggar's introduction is one of two Welsh changes, with injured centre Andrew Bishop replaced by Jonathan Davies.

Gatland has otherwise retained faith in the side who faltered badly in the second half at Carisbrook.

Biggar, one of nine Ospreys players in the starting 15, is considered one of the best talents in Wales and this year controversially forced quality playmaker James Hook to shift to centre at franchise level.

"Back home there's a lot of mixed views about Dan, people either love him or hate him," Gatland said.

"That's the unfortunate thing that happens with 10s and particularly in Wales.

"He's a young kid with a lot of talent, a lot of potential, a lot of leadership qualities."

This will be Biggar's first start against a major test-playing nation. He came off the bench last Saturday and before that had started tests against Canada and Samoa.

Gatland has made four changes to his bench, with Jones sitting alongside a promoted trio -- halfback Richard Rees, winger Will Harries and prop Craig Mitchell.

via allBlacks.com

 

Time right to blood Biggar, coach Gatland told

WALES coach Warren Gatland has been told it’s time to blood Dan Biggar regardless of whether Stephen Jones is passed fit this weekend.

Jones is a major doubt for the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday with the thumb injury he aggravated in last weekend’s 42-9 first Test defeat in Dunedin.

But former Wales and Lions outside-half Gareth Davies believes the 20-year-old Ospreys youngster should be given the chance in Hamilton to display his World Cup credentials.

“You don’t wish an injury on anyone but it probably would be a good thing if Dan played anyway,” said Davies. “He is going to be around for a while, so I would be inclined to pick him.

“The purpose of this tour is to benchmark yourself against the world’s best but also to see if young players like Biggar (left) can cope at the highest level.

“You could just play him against the southern hemisphere countries in Wales in the autumn series. But Dan may be pitched in against the All Blacks and South Africa next year in the World Cup and he now needs that exposure.

“There is no more stringent test than New Zealand on their own patch.

“Wales have the right mix between the old head and the young buck coming through.

“As long as he stays fit, I still see Stephen as an integral part of the Welsh set-up up until the World Cup. But if Dan takes this opportunity and if he is given a couple of chances in the autumn internationals, the World Cup outside-half jersey is up for grabs.”

Biggar won his fifth cap when he replaced Jones midway through the second half at Carisbrook.

His previous starts came against Canada and Samoa last year so taking the All Blacks head on would represent his biggest challenge to date at international level.

“A new inexperienced 10 will always be targeted but he seems like the type of player who would welcome that,” added Davies, now a respected S4C pundit. “It is a compliment if they target you and he seems like a confident young lad.

“Some people have criticised him for that but I think it is an important ingredient for a top-class fly-half.

“He appears to be able to run the show and it says a lot he has secured his spot for the Ospreys. Dan loves bossing a game and it is important for a fly-half to be a focal part because he is the critical decision-maker of the side.”

New Zealand also have concerns about their star fly-half Dan Carter, who produced a 27-point man-of-the-match display in Dunedin.

Carter’s calf problem will be assessed with a final assessment made on Thursday and Davies believes this decision could have a major affect on the outcome of the game.

“Take him out of that All Blacks side and it is a huge blow for them,” said Davies.

“If he is missing, things could be a lot tighter in the second Test.”

But Davies has insisted Wales will need Biggar to tighten up their kicking game if they are to threaten the All Blacks.

“I have reservations about the kicking game,” added Davies.

“I suspect it is because they have issues with the lineout but I don’t think they put the ball dead on enough occasions.

“Southern hemisphere sides counter-attack and thrive on any sloppy kicks. and northern hemisphere countries are on the same level.

“If the kicking game is not spot on you will be punished.

“Wales allowed New Zealand into the game with kicks that were too far.

“There was no pressure on their back three so that suggests the kicking game was up to scratch.”

via walesonline.co.uk

Welsh skipper hoping it's eighth time lucky

By MARC HINTON - Sunday Star Times

Last updated 09:11 13/06/2010

Ryan Jones was trying to find himself an All Whites shirt in Auckland yesterday, but it's an All Blacks scalp the Welsh skipper is really chasing over the next fortnight.

Jones, once an aspiring professional footballer who played for Bristol City at schoolboy level, is well aware of the task facing him and his team-mates in tests against the All Blacks in Dunedin (June 19) and Hamilton (June 26).

He has played seven tests against New Zealand's finest, and is still waiting to register his first victory, including three with the British and Irish Lions who were swept in emphatic fashion here in 2005.

But there have been signs of late that the Welsh are closing the gap. Last November in Cardiff, Graham Henry's men squeaked home, 19-12, in a contentious encounter; the year before they trailed 6-9 at halftime before edging out to a flattering 29-9 victory.

And the Welsh are fresh off a heartbreaking 31-34 defeat to the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium, where they led the world champions, 16-3, before letting them off the hook.

It's why Jones is adamant that his side, despite missing a raft of key figures, can make history in New Zealand. The Welsh have never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand. "If we get everything 100%, I honestly believe we're capable of doing it," he said in Auckland yesterday, a day after arriving in the country. "Anything short of a perfect performance and it's going to be a tough day at the office."

Wales' Kiwi coach Warren Gatland also has a feeling his side is "knocking on the door" of a momentous result, and is convinced a win would transform the side's self-belief.

Jones gets where his coach is coming from: "It's getting the monkey off your back, isn't it?" says the 29-year-old 41-cap loose forward. "I think it would change the psyche a wee bit and that would allow us to kick on and cement that real belief."

Jones smiles warmly when it's suggested there would be nowhere better to get a breakthrough victory than New Zealand. "There's no bigger mountain to climb, but that's what we're here for – to give it a damn good go," he said. "I don't think we're a team people look forward to playing any more. We can be physical and there have been some close games [against the All Blacks].

"They've been great spectacles, but that is only good for so far. We are a result-based society these days and it would be great to make a little bit of history as a group."

Jones has largely warm memories of his last tour to New Zealand: as a late call-up, he played outstandingly to force his way into the Lions test lineup.

"We've got to go out there and just give it everything," he says of the next fortnight. "You can't have any regrets.

"The effort from this team, you can never question, but we've just got to make sure we're technically accurate, and if we can finally marry it all together, we could come away with something special."

As for that South African disappointment, Jones was trying to look on the bright side: "There were an awful lot of positives, and we've just got to build on that now.

"We've always been a team littered with some great individuals, and we've run teams close in the past on the back of a little bit of magic out of nowhere," said Jones. "Now [with the arrival of Gatland] we've got more consistency, more structure to the way we play."

And that All Whites shirt? Jones, a goalkeeper back in the day, was disappointed team officials couldn't lay their hands on one for a photo op (stores were sold out), but said he'd still be keeping a close eye on the Kiwis in South Africa.

"That's the magic of the World Cup, the smaller nations causing those amazing upsets that live long in the hearts and minds." This really is a man with giant-killing on his mind.

 

Gatland decides to bring back Powell

Andy Powell

Wales recall: Andy Powell

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has named three uncapped players in a 27-man squad for June's Cardiff Test against world champions South Africa and the subsequent New Zealand tour.

The Scarlets trio of scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, hooker Ken Owens and flanker Rob McCusker all feature in Gatland's group.

And there is also a recall for Cardiff Blues back-row Andy Powell, who was kicked out of Wales' Six Nations squad earlier this season.

Powell was charged with driving a golf buggy while over the limit the morning after Wales' dramatic victory over Scotland in February.

Gatland, meanwhile, had already confirmed the absence of four players from next month's fixtures, with scrum-half Dwayne Peel and flanker Martyn Williams both being rested, while James Hook requires shoulder surgery and lock Luke Charteris has been troubled by a neck problem.

After tackling the Springboks, Wales face the All Blacks in Dunedin on June 19 and then Hamilton seven days later.

Elsewhere, Cardiff Blues prop John Yapp returns to the squad following injury, while 18-year-old Ospreys wing Tom Prydie, who became Wales' youngest international when he made his debut against Italy in March, also features.

"I am a great believer in 'if you are good enough you are old enough,' and that applies to the likes of both Tom and Tavis Knoyle," said Gatland.

"We have gone very much for continuity of selection and kept the squad small, but there are also a couple of youngsters in there who we are going to stick by.

"Tom will gain experience from being with us - Shane Williams and even Lee Byrne aren't going to be around forever - and he is someone who can cover those positions and who we are excited about.

"We are excited about Tavis as well. He is a big strong lad, someone who has been compared to Mike Phillips on the pitch.

"He has a good pass and some real speed and he has the frame there as well, so he has it all going for him and he has some real potential.

"Rob (McCusker) comes in as well with a real opportunity to move himself up the pecking order.

"He perhaps wouldn't have had the chance if Martyn had been with us or if Dan Lydiate at the Dragons had been fit, but he has an opportunity now.

"We have been impressed with his form for the Scarlets and he has played some sevens for Wales, and there is no doubting he has the pace and ability."

Gatland has also named an eight-man standby contingent that will train with Wales while they on home soil, and are then in line to be called up for the New Zealand tour should injuries occur.

Dragons trio Will Harries, Gavin Thomas and Jason Tovey join Blues pair Chris Czekaj and Rhys Thomas, Ospreys duo Ian Gough and Craig Mitchell and the Scarlets' Martyn Roberts on Gatland's back-up list.

Gatland added: "I've said all along that the best preparation for us (ahead of next year's World Cup) is to play the best teams, and they don't come much tougher than the Springboks and the All Blacks.

"We have an opportunity to start off on the right foot on June 5 with a victory.

"And, hopefully, by the time the World Cup comes around we will have a battle-hardened squad ready to achieve something special and we will look back and see that it all started here."

Wales Squad:

Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom Prydie (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Richie Rees (Cardiff Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets).

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dafydd Jones (Cardiff Blues), Brad Davies (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).

via planetrugby.com

Four out for Wales

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via breakingnews.ie

12/05/2010 - 19:33:40
Wales will be without four key players for next month’s clash against world champions South Africa and the two-Test tour of New Zealand.

Flanker Martyn Williams, centre James Hook, scrum-half Dwayne Peel and lock Luke Charteris are all confirmed absentees.

Williams, who will be 35 in September, and Peel are both to be rested, while Hook – arguably Wales’ most consistent performer during this season’s RBS 6 Nations campaign – will undergo shoulder surgery once the Ospreys’ Magners League title assault is over.

Newport Gwent Dragons forward Charteris is currently recovering from a neck problem, which means he will not be considered for summer duties by Wales boss Warren Gatland.

Gatland is due to name his squad on Sunday for the June 5 Springboks clash in Cardiff, which is followed by appointments with the All Blacks in Dunedin and Hamilton.

“We have some depth in these positions with the likes of Jamie Roberts, Andrew Bishop and Jonathan Davies playing well at the moment at centre,” said Gatland.

“We are okay in the second-row as well, and Sam Warburton has been pushing Martyn really hard for a back-row spot at Cardiff Blues, as well as at international level.

“South Africa in Cardiff, and then two Tests in New Zealand, means we have a tough summer ahead of us. But this is exactly the position we need to be in, and it will be perfect preparation for the World Cup.”

Hook could be sidelined for up to five months, which might mean him facing a fitness fight to be fit for Wales’ autumn Tests later this year.

But Gatland is in an upbeat mood ahead of the June challenges, which follow a disappointing season for Wales.

“Games don’t come much tougher than playing the world champion South Africans, and (Springboks coach) Peter de Villiers has a wide range of talent to choose from,” he added.

“Depending on what happens in the Super 14 competition, certain players will be ruled out.

“But we will be expecting the European-based players like Butch James to figure, and (Natal) Sharks players are likely to be available, so there will be World Cup winners throughout the squad.

“They are going to be strong, but it could also be a great day for Wales. If we could win that game it would be a great platform for our summer tour.

“As for New Zealand, we just need to believe in ourselves and perform like we know we can – then, we will have a chance.

“France won a game there (New Zealand) last year and Ireland ran them close as well, so we know it can be done.

“But we are also keen to familiarise the players with our (2011) World Cup venues and training bases.

“It’s not until I left New Zealand that I realised that it is such a difficult place to tour, and we want the players to have that experience, training at the same venues and staying in the same hotels as we will in 2011.” 

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/four-out-for-wales-457436.html##ixzz0nkMnMZ9U

Wales can deliver double, says Phillips

via walesonline.co.uk

May 6 2010 by jon doel, Western Mail

MIKE PHILLIPS has backed Wales Lions-packed side to gain revenge on world champions South Africa and complete a glorious summer by toppling the All Blacks in their own backyard.

The confident scrum-half admitted Wales tough summer schedule against the two best teams in the world will be judged on results alone, but he insisted Warren Gatlands side were more than capable of upsetting the southern hemisphere giants.

Phillips is relishing the prospect of resurrecting his duel with the world champions at the Millennium Stadium on June 5 after starring for the Lions in three brutal Tests last summer.

The 27-year-old Osprey stood toe-to-toe with the physical Springboks, starting every Test of an ultimately heartbreaking series.

And he insisted the Welsh players had already targeted the forthcoming fixture as the perfect opportunity for revenge.

It will be great to play for Wales against them and hopefully get a victory. We owe them one and this is a great opportunity for us, Phillips insisted.

As long as the boys turn up well and we get a good side out there, then we have a great chance of beating them at home.

Wales chances of a morale-boosting victory increased earlier this week as Springboks coach Peter de Villiers confirmed no players involved in the Super 14 final will make the trip.

With reigning champions the Bulls and the Cape Town-based Stormers favourites to reach the final, the likes of Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Bakkies Botha and Fourie du Preez could all be absent.

They will always have a great side out no matter what because they have such a pool of players to choose from, Phillips said.

But this is one game the Welsh players are really targeting and looking forward to. We can go out there and do ourselves proud.

Wales fly to New Zealand for a daunting two-Test series just days after that Millennium encounter, and it is players like the world-class Phillips who could make the difference between potentially morale-sapping defeats ahead of next years World Cup and historic victory.

Gatlands Wales certainly looked a completely different proposition with the return of Phillips and fellow Lion Gethin Jenkins for the final game of a disappointing Six Nations against Italy.

Phillips bristled with the trademark confidence, dynamism and aggression that had been so lacking in Welsh defeats against England, France and Ireland, and it is those winning qualities Gatland would so love to be inherent in every member of his squad.

Ask Phillips if two gutsy, narrow defeats would represent a positive return from a series in the All Blacks backyard, and the answer is very clear.

No. It is about results really. When you play international games, you go out there to win and nothing else, he said.

As a player you go on the field and you expect to win. You have the determination to do that. We will be looking to go out there and get a big scalp.

Its a very important tour in terms of our preparations for the next World Cup and developing a bit of confidence. New Zealand are a great side, with a great record, but its a key time for us.

Its been a difficult year for Phillips, one that has seen him follow a reputation-enhancing Lions performance with a long spell on the sidelines through injury.

The Six Nations cameo against the Italians was a pertinent reminder of what Wales and the Ospreys had been missing, but it is the big stages on offer in the months ahead where Phillips has always been most at home.

Coming back from injury has been tough. Even in the last couple of games, the ankle injury has still been niggling me a bit, he admitted.

On the whole its been a disappointing season for me with my injuries. But Im hoping to end it on a high with the Ospreys and by playing a part against South Africa and on the tour to New Zealand.

That would be great to end the season on a big note. Thats what Im striving for now.

Before the challenges with Wales comes a potentially successful end to the domestic season with the Ospreys firmly in the hunt for Magners League glory.

Friday nights derby against the Dragons provides its own opportunity for revenge after the post-Six Nations humbling at Rodney Parade, and delivering the Magners League crown is the only way Phillips believes the Ospreys will be able to judge this season as a success.

A bonus-point win against Paul Turners side will secure a home play-off semi-final that would make them strong favourites to reach the Magners Grand final at the end of the month.

I think there is a sense we owe the Dragons one. They played really well against us and deserved their victory. We didnt play very well on the night and were really poor. We are playing at home so it is a big game for us.

We have to make sure we get a home semi-final in the play-offs. Its much easier to play at home than going away.

We love playing at the Liberty and we have to get some silverware if we are to get something out of the season after the Heineken Cup disappointment.

There is a lot of expectation down here and we have a lot of high-profile players.

People expect us to win most of our games and we are more than capable of going on and winning this league. It will be a tough ask, but it is within our grasp.

via walesonline.co.uk

 

Is Andy Powell back on Wales course?

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via walesonline.co.uk

WHEN Andy Powell decided to take an early-morning ride in a golf buggy after Wales had beaten Scotland last February, there were those who said his Wales career could be over.

Having made one of the most sensational international debuts ever against South Africa in November 2008 and then enjoyed a meteoric rise to the Lions squad for the tour to South Africa last year, Powell had been one of the unqualified success stories of Warren Gatland’s tenure.

So, could we really be about to see all that fizzle out after less than two years in the big time?

Granted, the barnstorming runs that characterised the former Newport powerhouse’s unforgettable debut against the Boks, when he was an unknown quantity on the Test scene, had become known to opponents and subsequently far better policed.

But Powell’s influence as a ball-carrier with immense power and quick leg speed still made him a valuable commodity, certainly too valuable to be lost because of one moment of ill-judged tomfoolery.

Not only that, his presence in and around the squad in the shape of his larger-than-life character meant the benefits extended beyond the pitch.

Now it seems those assets have not been forgotten by Gatland.

Powell reportedly took his exclusion from the Wales squad halfway through the Six Nations and the later drink-driving ban he was handed by Cardiff magistrates pretty hard.

And, for whatever reason, not least a series of niggling injuries, his impact at the Blues in the latter third of the campaign has been severely curtailed.

Rumours he may be seeking a move to rugby league to join former team-mate Gareth Thomas at the Crusaders have been another distraction, even if they have been repeatedly dismissed by Blues coach Dai Young, who refuses to write off his somewhat wayward campaigner.

Similarly, it appears the patience threshold with Powell in the international set up extends far.

Powell remains on Gatland’s radar – to the extent that a place on the summer tour to New Zealand, says the Kiwi coach, is now a distinct possibility.

“We will have to see what his fitness is like,” said Gatland.

“But he has served his time and done his punishment and, if we want to include him, we will.”

Powell’s first chance to pull on the Wales jersey again will be against South Africa, the reigning world champions, on Saturday, June 5.

Though, whether he will make that is highly debatable given the Blues confirmed on Friday that the calf problem he sustained in the match against the Dragons at Rodney Parade last weekend would need two or three weeks more rest.

But Wales then fly out to New Zealand for a two-Test series against Graham Henry’s All Blacks on June 19 and 26, and, given Gatland is sure to want to rest players, a place on the plane to the land of the long white cloud should not be discounted .

Saying that, the New Zealander seems aware Powell may need an arm around his shoulder in the coming months.

“I think psychologically he has suffered quite a bit because of all that (the golf buggy saga),” said Gatland.

“He has struggled with the Blues, but when he comes to us, it’s a shorter time period and there is also hype around Wales.

“The ban because of the buggy affair has clearly had an impact on him and then he hasn’t played due to injuries.

“The Crusaders speculation hasn’t helped and had an impact as well.”

The league speculation snowballed after respected Crusaders coach Brian Noble admitted Powell is a player he admires and one he believes would be a smash hit in the 13-man code.

Former Wales captain Thomas, who switched codes from the Blues to the Crusaders at the end of February, has gone on the record as saying it is a move Powell should strongly consider making.

But Gatland has a different view altogether.

The ex-Wasps coach admits he cannot understand why a player in Powell’s position would want to follow Thomas’ example and leave the union game at a time when there is so much to be achieved in the near future.

Gatland added: “I spoke to Andy the other day and told him to get his head down and to keep training hard.

“He was playing well against the Dragons before he picked up the injury.

“I told him that he was important to us over the next 18 months.

“I advised him to get to the World Cup injury-free and playing well and then after that if he wanted to go to rugby league then go and do whatever he wanted.

“I just cannot understand why he would want to leave ahead of a potential massive 18 months for him

“The profile of playing in the games we are playing ahead of the World Cup and then the cup in New Zealand is huge.

“I don’t know why he would want to swap that for playing rugby league with the Crusaders in Wrexham.”

Powell may not be a new face considered for Gatland’s 27-man squad to face the Boks and the All Blacks, but there could well be a few who do fall into that bracket.

Gatland is expected to name his squad on Sunday, May 16, and Tavis Knoyle, the Scarlets teenage scrum-half, is one in particular who is being viewed as a possible deputy for Lions No 9 Mike Phillips.

“Tavis has a good kicking and passing game,” said Gatland.

“He doesn’t mind the physical stuff and we have been really impressed with him.”

Yet Knoyle is far from the only one.

The likes of Dragons trio, wing Will Harries, prop Hugh Gustafson and flanker Gavin Thomas, along with Scarlets wing Andy Fenby and fly-half Rhys Priestland, are other names being mentioned in dispatches as possible tourists.

Prydie the youngest

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via ospreysrugby.com

Gatland struggles to protect players from themselves

The internet age has changed rugby's social scene for ever, writes paul rees

Sunday February 21 2010

There were a few Golfs but not many buggies around theWales squad's headquarters in the Vale of Glamorgan when they held their media session last week.

The electric golf cart allegedly commandeered by the flanker Andy Powell hours after last weekend's victory over Scotland and driven to a nearby M4 service station was parked in a pound in Cardiff, a symbol of how Wales have stalled this season.

Powell was thrown out of the squad after being charged with drink-driving and, instead of being able to reflect quietly on one of the most dramatic finishes to a Six Nations match, the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, found himself, not for the first time, having to discipline a player after allowing his charges, who had been in camp for more than three weeks, to have a night out in Cardiff.

Gatland's playing career ended as the lights were going out on amateurism, a time when players and supporters, not to forget reporters, mingled after matches. No matter how much beer loosened tongues and relaxed inhibitions, any indiscretions remained private. The internet era has changed that and Gatland this month asked a lawyer who specialises in defamation, privacy and reputation management to address the players on the perils of posting messages on social networking websites.

"It's been a tough week," Gatland says as he looks forward to Friday's match against France at the Millennium Stadium. "Everyone has to realise things have changed in the professional era. You have to make sure players are disciplined off the field and we are looking at the way we do things going forward when it comes to allowing players to have a few drinks after a match: we will have to keep things in-house and players will no longer be able to go out in public, even with bodyguards.

"We had a no-alcohol policy after the game against Englandand returned to Wales that night. After Scotland, with no game the following weekend, we agreed that the players could go out for a few drinks, stressing the fact that they were responsible for the decisions they made. If you keep players in camp for six or seven weeks and never allow them any sort of release, tension will build up. But everyone has cameras now: images and footage can be on the internet in no time and I do not think it will be long before every international side does any celebrating in private."

Gatland says he has not closed the door on Powell, who was last year one of four players given an official warning after drunken antics in Cardiff bars after victory over England were made public. "Everyone makes mistakes," the coach says.

"Andy called me to thank me for giving him his chance in international rugby and for being supportive of him, apologising for what he did. I am tough on discipline but you have to give players the opportunity to make amends. Andy will play no further part in this year's Six Nations but after that it is up to him."

A year ago, when Wales were preparing for their third match of the tournament -- again against France but in Paris -- they had to discipline Powell and three others. Their run of eight successive Six Nations victories came to an end in the Stade de France when they blew a 13-3 lead.

This season they have found themselves playing catch-up, unable to make up a 17-point gap on England but scoring 17 points in the last few minutes to sensationally overhaul Scotland.

"We have shown tremendous character but we must stop giving teams starts," says Gatland, who will field a new second-row combination against France with Alun Wyn Jones injured andJonathan Thomas moving to the back row to fill the vacancy left by Powell.

"We play a high-risk game and mistakes are a consequence of that. I do not want us to become a side that kicks all the time but we have to be smart in the way we play. We have won nine of our 12 Six Nations matches in my time here but we have to kick on again."

Shane Williams needs one try to beat Gareth Edwards' Wales record of 18 in the championship: if the wing reaches the landmark, he will not celebrate prematurely as he did before touching down for the winning score against Scotland. "I am embarrassed about that," he says. "I did not realise what I had done until afterwards and had to watch the tape with one eye closed. I will not try to force things: if a chance comes my way, it comes."

Les Bleus are not the only French team on Williams's mind. He is a target for Toulon but he has another year on his contract with the Ospreys. "It is flattering when a big club like that wants you," he said. "I have not really had time to think about it. All that matters at the moment is beating France, not going there."

Wales v France,

Friday RTE2 & BBC1 8.0pm

Sunday Independent

 

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