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'No expectation' for Gatland's struggling Wales in Six Nations / Photo: © AFP/File
'No expectation' for Gatland's struggling Wales in Six Nations
Under-pressure Wales head coach Warren Gatland said on Tuesday there is "no expectation" on his side going into this year's Six Nations as they target a first Test win since October 2023.
Wales head into the tournament opener against France in Paris on January 31 on a record run of 12 straight losses.
Their last victory came in the pool stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup before losing to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
"There's no expectation on us," Gatland told reporters at the Six Nations launch in Rome.
"People are writing us off. I said it before the World Cup, write us off at your peril.
"We have to create confidence and belief."
Gatland's inexperienced squad includes uncapped players in fly-half Dan Edwards and winger Ellis Mee.
One boost for Gatland are the returns of No 8 Taulupe Faletau, full-back Liam Williams, winger Josh Adams and lock Dafydd Jenkins, who captained the side to the Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations last year.
"It's been tough," New Zealander Gatland said.
"The pleasing thing for this campaign is we started to have some experience back with Faletau, Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins.
"Some of the strength in depth developed is a positive."
Gatland, who returned as head coach for a second time in 2022, takes Wales to Paris next week seeking a first win at the Stade de France in six years.
France are leading contenders for the title alongside Ireland, having beaten New Zealand and Argentina in November.
"Absolutely it's a challenge for us," Gatland said.
"We almost have to have a siege mentality in terms of going to Paris. I thought they were excellent especially against Argentina and New Zealand."
D. O'Sullivan--BTZ
