By David Williams

Warren Gatland has sent a strong warning to Wales’ Six Nations rivals, cautioning them against underestimating his team.

Despite an awful 2024 and a daunting opener against France in Paris, Gatland is embracing Wales’ underdog status, insisting that his side can defy expectations.

“We are in a nice position because there is no expectation. People are writing us off,” Gatland said at the tounament launch in Rome.

And I said the same thing before the World Cup. A lot of people were saying that we wouldn’t even get out of our group. The message that time was you write us off at your peril, and things haven’t changed there.”

Wales are coming off a difficult period, having endured 12 consecutive Test defeats and finishing last in the Six Nations last year, earning the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003.

Their most recent Test victory came 15 months ago against Georgia.

The team also faced scrutiny after a review into Gatland’s position, completed by the Welsh Rugby Union late last year, though Gatland retained his role.

“The whole goal is to build to the World Cup”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland discusses looking ahead to the future for the 2027 World Cup pic.twitter.com/KCM8sCXQZm

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) January 21, 2025

At the squad announcement earlier this month, Gatland openly questioned the qualifications of those involved in the review process, saying: “What has their experience been in a professional winning environment? None of them have really had that experience, so how do they know what that looks like?”

Although the comments sparked criticism, including from former Wales captain Ellis Jenkins, Gatland later clarified, “I wasn’t trying to be critical of anyone.”

Now, with Wales entering the tournament as outsiders, Gatland is determined to create a “siege mentality” for his team.
“We have just got to create some confidence and self-belief within us, within our group, and almost like a siege mentality in terms of going to Paris,” he said.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge. This is the best rugby tournament in the world. The games aren’t just games, they’re occasions.”

Wales’ squad for the Six Nations includes a mix of seasoned campaigners like Liam Williams, Josh Adams, and Taulupe Faletau – who bring a combined 255 caps – alongside less experienced players, with 17 having fewer than 10 caps and nine having played three Tests or fewer.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland and on his 25th birthday, Wales captain Jac Morgan arriving at the @SixNationsRugby “cat walk” launch pic.twitter.com/7Rpv2h3uQj

— Ioan Dyer (@Ioan_Dyer) January 21, 2025

Despite injuries sidelining key players like Dewi Lake, Mason Grady, and Ryan Elias, Gatland expressed optimism that all remaining players, including Faletau, would be fit for the first game.

“At the moment, the update from the medical team is that everyone should be available for selection for the first game. We had Taulupe in during the autumn,” Gatland explained.

“It was obvious then even though he wasn’t 100 percent what a quality and experienced international he is.

“He’s worked really hard in the last year or two to get back. He’s motivated to have a really good Six Nations with what is a really big carrot at the end of the season in terms of a Lions tour. He wants to make an impression because he’s motivated for that.”

After their opener against France on January 31, Wales will face Italy in Rome, where they last won a Six Nations match in March 2023, before hosting Ireland and England, and traveling to Scotland.

Gatland, who guided Wales to multiple Six Nations titles and Grand Slams between 2008 and 2019, understands the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

“This is such a tough tournament to win. It is so hard,” he said.

“When you look back and you have won a Six Nations or a Grand Slam, there will be a couple of decisions that have gone your way, the bounce of the ball, or you’ve had some luck in the tournament.”

In 2019, Gatland predicted that Wales would win the Grand Slam if they beat France in their opening match – and they did just that.

Six years later, the circumstances are vastly different, but Gatland is still ready to try and defy the odds.