An internal crisis, a string of defeats, Wales in the making in the Six Nations Championship

Engulfed by an internal crisis, defeated during the first three days of the tournament, the Welshman in Rome will try to start the reconstruction while chasing the ghost of the wooden spoon.

The scar is still fresh, the wound has not yet closed. Two weeks ago, Welsh rugby in the middle of the Six Nations was hit by a stunning crisis, emerging on sight as an elected group are in conflict with their Union (WRU) and threaten to strike before receiving England. Coach Warren Gatland’s players, who had been required to amend their contract due to economic hardship, finally played (and lost) this game after agreeing a new framework for discussions with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB). “It will take a collective effort to put Welsh rugby back at the top of world rugby and stop being the laughing stock of everyone, as I now think.”then Ken Owens estimated the bitch, agreeing that the dispute, on the merits, was not settled.

Read also: For his return to the Welsh head, Warren Gatland appointed Ken Owens as captain of the tournament

This stormy episode had consequences on Earth and left traces in the group. “We are worried about our future and it is difficult to play in these conditionswhich was recognized this week in the third line Taulupe Faletau. When things aren’t going well off the field it’s hard to give your all in the game. »

Opinion shared Thursday by Gatland: “There were very big divisions in the group about the way forward. (match week against England)I think that has definitely been a source of tension in recent weeks. It was obviously a turbulent time, which is understandable, people have different opinions. But time can heal wounds. » The New Zealand coach’s problem with Wales is precisely that he has nothing, or very little. His draft back in December must be carried out to a bed of a select group with no results (he still made six changes in the fifteen years to challenge the Nacional) in the middle of a motorway where traffic hasn’t been stopped.

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On the horizon, the World Cup (8th September – 28th October) is already on the horizon and the Welsh heavyweights are currently crossing the continent at the tournament. Ireland (10-34), Scotland (35-7) and England (10-20) have already hit him hard, and the Blues expect it in a week at the Stade de France. This afternoon, the flight to Italy remains, another team with three defeats in three days. A match that could allow the Welsh to bounce back. Or getting close to a wooden spoon that hasn’t come their way since 2003.

“We’ve been disappointed with our results over the past few weeks. For me, it’s very difficult to take advantage of not having lost three matches in the Championship for Wales.Gatland advanced, three major championships with the Red Devils (in 2008, 2012 and 2019) are on the list. It is about trying to understand where we are. » Finally, raise your head.