By Paul Jones
Warren Gatland wants to operate in a “no excuses environment” after taking up the reins for a second stint as Wales head coach.
The New Zealander’s previous spell at the helm between 2007 and 2019 delivered four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams, two World Cup semi-final appearances and a brief time as rugby union’s world number one team.
This time around, though, he takes charge after a year that produced just three victories from 12 starts under Wayne Pivac, which included home defeats against Italy and Georgia.
Gatland will mastermind Wales’ Six Nations and World Cup campaigns next year, and he said: “How do you create an environment where there are no excuses?
“That’s what I’ve done in the past, a no-excuse environment, so when players come into camp you can get the best out of them.
“That’s what we’ve prided ourselves on in the past, being able to do that.
Warren Gatland says the 60-cap rule in Wales is under review.
At his first press conference since taking over as head coach, he said: “I think those things are all ongoing at the moment.”
Says “big money” France and Japan are the main poachers, “not across the bridge”. pic.twitter.com/z8qT8MJJFN
— Gareth Davies (@GD10) December 13, 2022
“The challenge is doing that in the coming weeks so that players are excited about wearing that jersey and leaving everything on the pitch in terms of getting performances and results.
“One of the reasons when I spoke to Steve (Phillips, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive) was remembering the good times of being here, in front of 75,000 people.
“There is a lot of pressure and expectation, but that motivates you and gets you excited.”
The return of Gatland – 52 days before the start of the 2023 Six Nations – has also alerted the British and Irish Lions to the fact that their former head coach might be available for the 2025 tour to South Africa.
But when asked, Gatland highlighted Ireland boss Andy Farrell’s credentials to coach the 2025 British and Irish Lions Down Under.
Gatland is back for a second stint as Wales head coach that could incorporate the 2027 World Cup.
That might mean he is in the frame to lead the Lions for a fourth time, having done the job in Australia (2013), New Zealand (2017) and South Africa (2021).
Farrell, though, is doing an exceptional job with Ireland, overseeing an historic Test series triumph against New Zealand earlier this year.
IRFU performance boss David Nucifora says Ireland coach Andy Farrell will be part of Warren Gatland’s Lions backroom team during the Test series against South Africa
👉 https://t.co/kRORJxayYf pic.twitter.com/kPwCmnVlPN
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) June 3, 2021
They added the scalps of South Africa and Australia during an unbeaten Autumn Nations Series campaign, with Ireland also currently heading rugby union’s world rankings.
“If you are picking a Lions coach at the moment, there is only one person that I think is in contention,” Gatland said, during a Principality Stadium press conference on Tuesday.
“And he is across the water and living in Dublin at the minute. If you are successful, those opportunities come along.
“I hadn’t even thought about that (Lions tour). I am just thinking about the next 10 months.
“I am well aware of how important the Six Nations and World Cup are next year.
“I don’t plan my pathway. I am a believer of if you are in the right place at the right time, then opportunities come along. What will be, will be.”