We have no-one to fear, claims Wales coach Gatland
WALES head coach Warren Gatland says his side fear no-one in their quest to reclaim the Six Nations Championship.
Gatland’s men meet England at Twickenham tomorrow looking to recreate their start of two years ago when victory in south-west London launched their Grand Slam campaign.
The Welsh suffered heartbreak last season when Stephen Jones’ missed penalty handed Ireland a first Grand Slam in 61 years.
Now, despite a lack of support from the bookmakers, Gatland believes his men are primed to win back their trophy, starting with another Twickenham success tomorrow.
“It is a tough competition. England at home are always tough to beat,” Gatland said. “In the last two years in the Six Nations we have won eight out of 10 games, and the two games we lost we could have won.
“In terms of our Six Nations form, eight out of 10 victories is not a bad return from our first two years together.
“We have got to go into this campaign, even though we have been written off by a lot of people, with some confidence and self-belief.
“When you play away from home it’s tough, and our record in the last number of years isn’t great at Twickenham. But we have got to go there with the belief that if we play well enough on the day, we are good enough to win.”
Gatland received some bad news yesterday when prop Gethin Jenkins was ruled out of Saturday’s game with a calf injury.
Tom James comes in at loose-head with uncapped Saracens starlet Rhys Gill making the bench.
Jenkins joins fellow Lions back row, Matthew Rees, on the treatment table – the hooker replaced by Gareth Williams.
Gatland added: “Paul James has been one of the form props in the Welsh regions so far this season and we are confident he will be a more than able deputy for Gethin.”