Gatland puts together final Wales jigsaw pieces

Apr 30 2008 by Andy Howell, South Wales Echo

WARREN Gatland has put the final pieces of his Wales coaching jigsaw in place after the WRU tied up new deals with Neil Jenkins and Robin McBryde.

There had been uncertainty over the pair’s futures despite the significant roles they played in Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam joy.

The situation has been complicated by world kicking legend Jenkins and former Wales hooker McBryde having been seconded to the Wales management from their primary roles.

The WRU employs them as specialist coaches roving the regions with a brief to develop up-and-coming talent, but they have now signed deals until the end of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

“Neil and Robin are young, talented coaches who will offer a long-term benefit to the game here,” said Wales coach Gatland.

“I have very much enjoyed working with both of them in my first season in charge.

“I think they are learning all the time. I am excited about the people we have working within the group.

“It's great for me to have been able to keep all the coaching staff together from a good Six Nations tournament.”

Gatland insisted praise for Wales’ amazing transformation from World Cup flops to European kings should not be directed at him and sidekick Shaun Edwards but the entire backroom staff.

“I think a lot, perhaps too much, has been made of myself and Shaun,” he said.

“Other people, not just the coaches, deserve a bit more credit: Robin, Rob Howley, Neil, Mark Bennett (fitness coach), Mark Davies (physiotherapist) and Alan Phillips (team manager).

“It’s not just about myself and Shaun, but a group of people who were very effective and worked very hard to create a really good environment.

“I have kept a strong Welsh influence within the coaching staff, which is really important, but I have also people around me who I know well.

“Their work ethic and desire to succeed is as important as my influence.”

The 87-times capped Jenkins and former Scarlets skipper McBryde, who was capped 37 times, bring plenty of experience to the Wales camp.

McBryde has also worked under former Wales coach Gareth Jenkins and caretakers Scott Johnson and Nigel Davies.

Wales begin preparation for their bid to win in South Africa for the first time with a training camp in Ireland next week.

The European champions go head-to-head with the World Cup holders in back-to-back Tests, in Bloemfontein on June 7 and in Pretoria a week later.

Gatland has stunned observers with his shock call-up of rookie scrum-half Warren Fury in a 24-strong training squad.

But the Echo can reveal Fury has been involved with Wales at senior level previously, in October 2004 when he was just 18 and Mike Ruddock was national coach.

A product of Bishopston Comprehensive School, in Swansea, Fury played for Wales Under-16s, but moved across the border to attend Colston School in Bristol and figured for England at under-19 level.

Ruddock had moved for him after Gatland spotted the six-footer’s potential and signed him up for London Wasps, who the Kiwi guided to Heineken and European Challenge Cup glory, and domination of the Guinness Premiership.

Gatland insisted Fury, now on the books of London Irish, had a genuine chance of making the squad he will take to South Africa despite a lack of experience at Premiership level.

He will be competing with Gareth Cooper and Dragons’ Andy Williams for a scrum-half place with Grand Slam hero Mike Phillips ruled out until next season following a major knee operation and British Lion Dwayne Peel a major doubt with on-going shoulder problems.

On the training party, Gatland said: “This is our core group now, but there may also be one or two other names we add to the tour party, injuries permitting, and with a couple of players in England not considered at the moment.

“There is also plenty more rugby to be played in Wales before the full complement of probably 26 players or so is announced on May 14.”

andy.howell@mediawales.co.uk