Something that should make our resident badger happy


Grand Slam gurus Wales want more victories down south

Brendan Gallagher | March 23, 2008

SIX NATIONS-winning coach Warren Gatland says Wales must now get their noses back to the grindstone and focus on challenging world champions South Africa in a two-match series in June.

"To win over there at altitude, I know how tough that is going to be," Gatland said. "We go to South Africa with no trepidation, saying, 'Let's have a crack.' We want to take the strongest squad over there that we can. We have won the Grand Slam but we do not want to stop there. You have got to test yourself against the best teams in the world, and South Africa are No.1 at the moment.

"We will not rest on our laurels. It has been a great start for us but we need to keep improving. If we sit back, we will get caught.

"I have asked the WRU to go looking for games against the big three southern hemisphere nations whenever they can.

"I agree with people who say that it's been a weak Six Nations with teams in transition and turmoil; that often happens after a World Cup. But Wales have achieved a lot of milestones, including our biggest Six Nations win in the victory over Italy and a record win against France - and there's a lot to build on."

Gatland is determined to travel with his strongest side, which could test his large Ospreys contingent to the limit if they go all the way in the Heineken Cup and reach the final at the Millennium Stadium on May 24. Thus far, however, they have got better and better the more physical the challenge. Another consideration will be whether Martyn Williams, 32, having come out of retirement in January, feels physically up to such a challenge after a stellar Six Nations campaign. Gatland will talk with the Cardiff flanker and offer him the simple choice of taking a break, if he feels it will prolong his Test career, or travelling to South Africa on the crest of a wave.

Gatland is also pressing hard for his backroom staff - Shaun Edwards, Rob Howley, Robin McBryde, Neil Jenkins and Mark Bennett - to be offered contracts through to 2012 to ensure continuity for the next World Cup.

In France, David Ellis is to stay on as the national team's defence coach at least until the end of next year.

The Englishman, who joined the Les Bleus in October 2001, was retained after the World Cup by new head coach Marc Lievremont, and has been asked to stay on for France's Tests this year.

"David will come with us on the tour to Australia," said Jean Dunyach, France's assistant manager.