LONDON // The Wales coach Warren Gatland fired an early shot in the battle of words before the Six Nations championship by estimating the defending champions could improve by up to 25 per cent. Wales, who completed their second grand slam in four years last season, open their campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield on Feb 8. "We still think there's a 20 to 25 per cent improvement in terms of intensity in the next two or three years," Gatland said at the tournament's launch.
"So for me that's really exciting as a coach and hopefully for the players as well." Wales were the only home union team to beat one of the southern hemisphere giants last November when they defeated Australia. They also put in some sterling performances against the world champions South Africa and lead New Zealand at half-time. "Given a small playing base compared with the best teams in the world, physically we have to be as good or better than the southern hemisphere teams," Gatland said.
"It's learning to play and train at a higher intensity and the great thing about the autumn series was we played the three best teams in the world. "We were tired. Physically we were really spent. You get a couple of weeks off, but that's all the southern hemisphere teams do and then they go through it again." Gatland, a former All Black, said the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had been aggressive in arranging fixtures against the southern hemisphere teams.
"It hopefully sets us up to do well in the Six Nations but also in preparing us for the World Cup in 2011," he said. Gatland said all his players should be fit for selection when Wales announce their team on Feb 4. The full-back Lee Byrne, who would be the first choice for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa on last season's form, has been suffering from a groin injury and the winger Mark Jones is recovering from an appendix operation.
James Hook, who will compete with Stephen Jones for the fly-half spot, has been nursing a swollen knee. Gatland said that he had not yet thought about his selections for the Scotland game but did confirm he had discussed a playing programme with flanker Martyn Williams. Gatland persuaded Williams to come out of retirement last season. He said that the experienced openside could still be playing at the age of 36 in the next World Cup.
*Reuters
