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Wales need to 'cut ties' with Gatland era - captain Alun Wyn Jones


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Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has warned it will be a bumpy road for the Guinness Six Nations champions following Warren Gatland’s departure.

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New head coach Wayne Pivac takes up the reins for last year’s Grand Slam winners after Gatland ended his 12-year tenure following Wales’ World Cup semi-final defeat against South Africa.

“It is going to be a bumpy road and we cannot shy away from that,” said Jones, 34.

“There has been a lot of change and, to a point, we have to cut ties with that.

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“But if you continue to look over your shoulder, you will slow yourself down. If we are going to evolve, there are few more things to adapt to, and that is what you want to do.

“I was asked earlier about desire, and why you keep going, and I just remember why I started. I want to play rugby and I want to be involved with Wales.

“It is Wayne’s world now and I am looking forward to what is to come.”

Pivac confirmed that 18-year-old Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit is set to be available for Wales’ opening match against Italy.

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The teenager went off injured during his side’s Champions Cup defeat against Toulouse on Sunday.

But Liam Williams, who has not played since he injured his ankle at the World Cup, is not due to return until Wales’ second fixture with Ireland.

“Louis has worked well with the medical team and he will be back training this morning, doing some running with the boys,” said Pivac.

“He will go back to his club this weekend and we will get him back next week.

“Liam is on for round two of the competition. He won’t make the Italian match, but is on track for Ireland.”

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WATCH: England coach Eddie Jones says he wants the team to be “the greatest team the rugby world has ever seen” following his announcement of the team’s Six Nations squad.

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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