Wales happy to fly under Six Nations radar

Mon, Dec 4, 2017, 12:20 AM
AAP
by AAP
Warren Gatland. Photo: Getty Images
Warren Gatland. Photo: Getty Images

Warren Gatland is happy for Wales to go into the Six Nations under the radar.

Wales are not mentioned in the same breath by pundits as England, Ireland and Scotland, but Wales head coach Gatland said: "Long may that continue."

England and Ireland have dominated the competition since Wales last won it in 2013, taking two titles each, with England targeting a tournament hat-trick this term.

Wales' autumn campaign - victories over South Africa and Georgia, but defeats to New Zealand and Australia - suggests they have ground to make up on their European rivals, although with players like Sam Warburton, George North, Liam Williams, Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric to potentially reappear in the selection mix they should not be discounted.Rhys Webb and Wales are flying under the radar. Photo: Getty Images"We will do a review with the coaches on Tuesday in terms of the (autumn) campaign, and then start thinking about the Six Nations and planning for that," Gatland said.

"It is a competition, so you want to go out there and do your best. With where all the teams are, it's going to be one of the closest Six Nations that we have had for a long time.

"A lot of people are talking up other teams, and long may that continue from our point of view.

"Given where we are in terms of the amount of injuries and the inexperience we put out (for the autumn Tests), I think we are in a good place at the moment.

"We will hopefully get a few players back from injury to strengthen the squad up for the Six Nations."

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