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Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
WRU confirm radical changes to Welsh rugby coming in major announcement
WRU confirm radical changes to Welsh rugby coming in major announcement Welsh rugby is set for seismic change not seen since the inception of regional rugby in 2003 Welsh rugby is set for seismic changes (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The Welsh Rugby Union has announced it intends to implement a radical restructuring of the professional game in Wales for the 2026/27 season, which could see the number of professional teams reduced. A consultation process between the WRU, the four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - and other key stakeholders will take place over August and September. The consultation will cover the entire high-performance framework from pathways to professional club structure and the senior men's and women's game. Key potential developments to be consulted on include: whether there should be a reduction to three or two regional men's teams, to ensure that we have teams that can compete at the top of the professional game further investment in the SRC to strengthen the semi-professional game in Wales. a significant investment in player development and pathways a national centre providing a place of development for our elite players, coaches and support staff Article continues below the best rugby leadership and decision-making model for the whole of the professional game in Wales our professional sides being home to both our men's and women's teams the funding model to underpin success, to ensure that the new model is financially sustainable and that teams are long term investable propositions in partnership with the WRU. The WRU say the current system in Wales which includes national teams, professional clubs, community clubs, academies, universities and schools isn't delivering consistent success on the field and isn't currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required, even with the recent actions taken to increase financial resources. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Based on its extensive work over the past 18 months, including ongoing consultation with the four professional men's clubs, the WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales. Prior to last Saturday's 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe, Wales had lost a record 18 Test matches in a row, while the four professional clubs have been starved of success for a number of years. On top of this Wales has only one representative on the current British & Irish Lions tour of Japan, Jac Morgan, although scrum-half Tomos Williams was a member of the squad before picking up an injury. Initially the WRU said it wanted to retain four professional teams and were adamant it had the required funding to make all successful, but they have changed their stance. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free This situation stemmed from the Ospreys and Scarlets refusing to join the Dragons in signing the new Professional Rugby Agreement after the WRU's takeover of Cardiff following the capital city club entering administration. As a result the WRU activated the two-year notice clause on the old PRA, which both Ospreys and Scarlets, are operating under. But the WRU have decided there needs to be radical changes in the way the professional game is structured for Welsh rugby to achieve sustained success once more. The WRU is seeking to introduce changes in this way because of the current status of its senior men's professional game, acknowledging that: Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field and, statistically, has just had its worst season ever in its senior men's game. all stakeholders want Welsh rugby to be successful at all levels of the game stakeholders understandably have different perspectives and must prioritise their own interests by default solutions have not yet emerged through consensus. WRU CEO Abi Tierney will seek the WRU boards approval of strategy for consultation and the commencement of the formal consultation period in August while in September there will be a consultation and engagement process. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Then in October the intention is for the WRU board to approve the new strategy while also announcing the new structure of the professional game to all stakeholders. Article continues below
Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The 88 seconds of bravery that ended Wales' 21-month wait for victory
The 88 seconds of bravery that ended Wales' 21-month wait for victory After what seems like an eternity, Wales bagged a win in Japan at the 19th time of asking Dan Edwards scores the crucial try for Wales to seal the game (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The margin between victory and defeat, as Wales have learned the brutal way over the last 21 months, is remarkably thin. Last week, in Kitakyushu, Matt Sherratt's side were unable to hold onto a 19-7 lead in the blazing sun. Now, under the roof in Kobe, leads of 21-3 and 24-10 had vanished. Leading by two points heading into the final 10 minutes, just as they had the previous week, it felt like everyone knew how this was about to play out. Only those decked out all in red at Noevir Stadium were about to flip the script. After 18 consecutive Test defeats, dragging the national team to new lows in terms of the world rankings, they did it. Frankly, it mattered little how they got over the line. Having waited so long for a win, no one cared how it came. But, in all honesty, it was always going to be the case that Wales had to go out and properly win it in the final minutes, rather than just hold on and fall over the line. They'd essentially tried that the week before. It didn't work, with the conditions and fear paralysing Wales. Article continues below It's a familiar story. Throughout this run, Wales have been capable of moments early on in matches. Think Blair Murray's try against Fiji last autumn or Tom Rogers' effort against Ireland in the recent Six Nations. The problems have often come about once the match reaches its conclusion. It looked to be a similar tale this time around. From the off, Wales looked to push an extra pass to stress Japan. Aaron Wainwright, in for Taulupe Faletau, shone early on - showing great work rate to get a second touch as Wales' forwards strung passes together to make ground. There was a clear intent from Wales to shift the ball a little wider than Japan expected. From deep, an extra tip-on pass sets them nicely for Dan Edwards to kick on his own terms. Edwards' high contestable is tapped back by Rogers in the air, with Johnny Williams claiming it. The centre gets isolated and turned over, but Alex Mann - who has been tipped to switch to openside at some point by his coaches - gets over the ball to win it back. From there, the first instinct is to spread it wide. Mann pops it off the deck to Archie Griffin, with Wainwright, Dewi Lake and Josh Macleod getting the ball to Ben Thomas. With Murray and Josh Adams outside him, Thomas targets Japan captain's Michael Leitch's outside shoulder - just about beating the back-row before offloading to Murray. From there, the full-back has a simple two-on-one to put Adams away for his first try for Wales since September 2023. Having moved further ahead from a Kieran Hardy score off the back of some strong lineouts, Wales' third score is just as well-worked as the first. With Japan down to 14 men following a yellow card, they worry little about the fact that Nicky Smith is down receiving treatment after winning a scrum penalty - instead taking a quick lineout to Griffin at the front and working the ball into the centre of the pitch. That's exactly where Wales want it, leaving their options open to go either way. In the end, it's an 11-play they run - one phase infield, then one phase back the other way - with Edwards and Murray sweeping behind as late options. The handling is crisp, with Adams cutting back against the grain beautifully to set up Hardy for his second. Given Wales have had to focus their attention away from the attack in the last five weeks - given there was limited sessions with an almost entirely new coaching group - these are lovely scores. For a while, that seemed to be as good as it got for Wales. A familiar story, flashes of good play leading to an implosion. Defeat had become inevitable, a self-fulfilling prophecy. Last week, Wales seemed to be clinging onto the fact that the lead they'd built was too big to lose. They now knew better. "The messaging this week was we did a lot well for 60 minutes (last week)," said Sherratt afterwards. "So the things we put emphasis on this week were our first three phases. "About 30 or 40 per cent of your possession is lineout attack. I think the lineout at the end, we talked about being a bit brave with the ball. "We probably tried to hang onto a lead last week. So all the messaging at half-time, Dewi spoke brilliantly about going on to kick on and win the game." And then, in the short space of 88 seconds or so, Wales did just that. It all started rather innocuously. Full-back Murray had gone up for an Edwards' up-and-under, but Japan had claimed the ball just outside their own 22. With Wales' lead having been reduced from 14 points to just two, the tension was building uncomfortably fast. Japan's defence coach, former Springbok assistant Gary Gold, notices Murray is still up in the frontline as Japan recycle. He relays the message down to the sideline, letting them know there's space in the middle. Edwards, alone in the backfield, calls Rogers back to cover, but there's still a fair bit of grass to look after as Japan finally pull the trigger on putting boot to ball. However, Taine Plumtree - on for Mann - gets just enough pressure on Seungsin Lee for the fly-half to slice his kick out on the full. By now, Wales are exhausted - with Luke Pearce calling upon them to form the lineout as they take a breather. Murray is barely on his feet by the time Luke Belcher, on for Lake, is towelling off the ball ahead of throwing in. The week before, Belcher had endured a few lineout wobbles on his Welsh debut. He can't afford something similar. He doesn't, nailing a perfect throw to the tail. "That last play summarises it for me," explains Sherratt. "It would have been easy to go to a safe lineout at the front. But we throw to the back, run a more risky play, if you like." Plumtree, the man who Belcher finds at the back of the lineout, agrees. "That clarity is a massive thing come those pressure times in the game," he says afterwards. "Belch came on and threw a perfect lineout that almost got stolen. A few phases later, we scored." Plumtree pops the ball to Reuben Morgan-Williams, the Ospreys scrum-half on for his Test debut. Before now, he'd been deputising on the wing - but Wales have switched him to his preferred position, with Hardy covering out wide. Ben Thomas carries into the heart of Japan's defence from the lineout, with wings Rogers and Hardy in close support to clear out. Once again, Wales have set up a ruck in the middle of the field - exactly where they want. As Japan work to fold around, Wales go back to the touchline they just came from. The first two carries are executed well. Belcher and Macleod offer themselves up as decoys, with Wales' ruck support on hand to offer quick ball. With no one on the blindside, Morgan-Williams looks to have gone down a blind alley. But he holds the pass nicely, waiting for Belcher to arrive on his shoulder. The Cardiff hooker targets a weak shoulder, making inroads as Japan are again forced to work hard folding around. One more phase to the blindside and Wales are ready to come back the other way. Wales' work effort is superb. Both teams are out on their feet, but Wales are winning the little races. James Ratti carries into contact, with Thomas clearing out. There's a sniff of a jackal opportunity, but Belcher works hard to get off the floor and secure the ruck. Just behind him, Plumtree drifts across - getting beyond the ruck before the Japan defence does. Now, it's time for Wales to really get brave. Japan's fold is slow, with Wales outnumbering them in the open space. Rogers and Edwards both stand beyond Plumtree, with Murray and Keelan Giles outside them in acres of space. Japan's right wing Kippei Ishida is left isolated with several options to cover. With Edwards the deeper option, he - fairly - assumes if the ball does go wide, Plumtree will go out the back - so he bites onto Edwards. Instead, Plumtree throws a little flat reverse pass to Rogers - taking Ishida out of the game. "Just one of the main messages that Jockey gave us was to be brave and express ourselves," says Plumtree. "I think we were under an advantage." There wasn't. "I heard Rog out the back so I pulled it back," he adds. "Thank God it came through." Rogers wastes no time giving the ball to Edwards, with the fly-half getting over for his first Test try at a crucial time. Article continues below "Fair play to Taine," says Edwards afterwards. "Jockey said to be brave and, fair play, Taine was brave doing that." "I didn't intend for him to be that brave," Sherratt admits, "but it worked! In the end, with all the scars, it was going to take something a bit special to end this losing run. Wales were brave when it mattered most and got exactly what they deserved.
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby's 'next big thing' to finally get first Wales cap after nine-year wait
Welsh rugby's 'next big thing' to finally get first Wales cap after nine-year wait Keelan Giles burst onto the Welsh rugby scene and seemed destined for remarkable things before injuries derailed his career Keelan Giles during training (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The last time Wales played Japan, before this summer's tour, seems like a lifetime ago. Sam Davies calmly slotting over the winning drop-goal, Dan Lydiate crossing for his only Wales try, Leigh Halfpenny on the wing with Liam Williams in the 15 jersey. It's only nine years ago, but that 2016 clash with the Brave Blossoms in Cardiff just feels like it's consigned to a distant time - a time capsule of sorts. Certainly, a last-gasp victory for an out-of-sort, mix-and-match Wales side against Japan seems like a luxury now. Nine years have passed. With it, Welsh rugby rose for a while - reaching the highest summit in the rankings for a brief moment - then plummeted to uncharted territory at an alarming rate. Nine years. Just less than a decade from plans being hatched to conquer the world to Wales falling off the face of the planet. That summer, in 2016, Warren Gatland sat down with Rob Howley, the then-Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips and then-head of rugby performance Geraint John to formulate a path towards World Cup success in 2019. Article continues below Somewhere else in that Wellington hotel, a young Keelan Giles - just 18 at the time and without a senior appearance for the Ospreys - was likely overcoming jet-lag after flying in to Hamilton from the U20s' World Championship in Manchester to provide injury cover for Wales. The future was his. Yet, for Giles, the last nine years must have felt like an eternal wait when it comes to that elusive Welsh cap. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. "If there's anybody, same as Liam Belcher last week, who deserves a cap, it's Keelan Giles," said Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt this week, after handing the now-27-year-old another shot at that first Test appearance with a bench spot against Japan in Kobe this weekend. Earlier in 2016, the young wing had been an electrifying part of the age-grade side that won the U20s Six Nations. After his time in New Zealand with the senior side - with no Test cap coming his way there - September of that year saw him make his debut for the Ospreys. Within minutes of coming on as a replacement against Benetton Treviso, he had crossed for his first score. By the time the autumn internationals rolled around that November, he had eight tries in five matches and was being billed as Welsh rugby's next big thing. Despite that, he missed out on the initial squad - only to be called in again as injury cover. That Japan clash in 2016, when Giles was named among the replacements, remained his best chance to date of getting onto the pitch in a Welsh jersey. Despite the excitement surrounding him, he remained, agonisingly, on the bench. The following summer saw him tour Tonga and Samoa, but still no cap came his way. Then, injuries took hold. His first serious knee injury in 2017 required reconstruction, keeping him out for a year. Then, in 2019, he suffered knee ligament damage in the other knee. That one robbed him of 450 days of rugby. Keelan Giles of the Ospreys (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) He's also had to have his hamstring 'tightened', which doesn't exactly sound helpful to a rugby player. Still, he's persevered. A strong run of form last season saw him picked by Gatland to tour Australia, only for injury to once again deny him before the plane had even left the tarmac. Now, in Kobe's Noevir Stadium on Saturday, Giles will once again - after nearly a decade of waiting - have the opportunity to earn that first cap. "I don't know how much you've had to do with Keelan but he's a great personality," explains Sherratt, who was with Wales as an assistant on the summer tour of 2017 with Giles. "A really, really good kid. "I still call him a kid because I knew him when I was younger. A really good trainer, very diligent. "This is not the case with all wingers, but he's quite a rugby nerd. If there's any games on, if you speak to Keelan the next day, he's watched it. "I'm probably doing Keelan a disservice. All the coaches have said this. We watched him week two and he was just having x-factor moments. "He's got a linebreak in him. He's just that type of winger. Similar to Blair Murray if I'm honest in terms of how he moves. "He can change direction quickly. If you can get Keelan on diagonals, running against forwards, he's really hard to handle. He's got good basics. "He's got x-factor. If we need a bit of x-factor off the bench, Reuben (Morgan-Williams) and Keelan both provide that. They've both got big moments in them. "He's just maximised everything he's had. He's had tough luck with a few injuries. Coming so close to winning a cap in Samoa, being on the bench and not getting on. "He's probably someone who thought his time had come and gone." Sherratt will also know Giles from his time at the Ospreys, having worked there as a backs coach. The decision to put Giles on the bench, given he only covers wing, might have raised some eyebrows as Wales look to end an 18-Test losing run, but Sherratt is content with the decision to once again put the Gorseinon product into the mix for that elusive first cap. "Sometimes, especially in these conditions when the grounds are hard, he's just shown some moments," said Sherratt. "Obviously Josh Adams can cover 13 and 15, Tom Rogers can play 15, Ben has played 10 and 15 before. "We just felt it was worth giving Keelan a run off the bench. He's an out-and-out winger but we've got enough cover in the backline to cover elsewhere." Article continues below After nine years of waiting, the chance has come around once again. "I have to be careful saying this as he's on the bench on the weekend," adds Sherratt, "but hopefully we can get him on the field and get him the cap he deserves."
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Adam Jones makes phone calls after problems emerged amid rare Japan tactic
Adam Jones makes phone calls after problems emerged amid rare Japan tactic Wales' scrum faltered after a promising start in Kitakyushu, with the coaches having sought clarity on a few calls New Wales scrum coach Adam Jones (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Wales coach Adam Jones has not only challenged his front-row to be better at the scrum against Japan this weekend, but also himself as they look to right the wrongs of Kitakyushu. Jones has made a series of phone calls to seek clarification around some of Wales' issues. The Welsh pack enjoyed some early dominance in the scrum, but that soon fell away as the Brave Blossoms ended the match firmly on top - with the front-row of Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada and Shuhei Takeuchi managing the extremely rare feat of playing the full 80 minutes in extreme heat and humidity. That proved costly as Wales struggled for a platform in the final quarter, letting a 19-7 lead slip to fall to an 18th consecutive Test defeat. Attention has now turned to Kobe, with Wales' final Test of the season providing one last chance to end the losing run before a new permanent head coach is (presumably) appointed ahead of the autumn. Former tighthead Jones has been coaching with Wales for the second campaign in a row, having been brought in for the Six Nations by Warren Gatland on a consultancy basis prior to the Kiwi's departure. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt then brought him back into the fold for this tour of Japan. It's been seven years since Jones started his coaching career after hanging up his boots, working with Harlequins since 2018 - even helping them to a Premiership title in 2021. The former Ospreys and Cardiff prop has long been earmarked as a future international coach, but, naturally, given this is just his second campaign at Test level, he's still learning the ropes in some regards. Article continues below "It was probably a little frustrating I didn't pick up on what they were doing, the technique, it's hard when you're not in there," said Jones about how the scrum went in Kitakyushu. "I am learning about it's international rugby so it's tougher. But I guess I need to get back to the speed of being on the computer. "With Quins I'm running the water so I haven't really got footage as quick and as detailed as I have in the box. So I probably need to get some better messages on when I spot it." Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Wales had some scrum issues against Japan (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Last Saturday's match was refereed by the relatively inexperienced official Damian Schneider, with two assistants in Luke Pearce and Karl Dickson who have both taken charge of Premiership finals and numerous Test matches. Wales have sought clarification on a number of issues from last Saturday's match, including crucial lineouts by both teams. One early in the second-half saw Nicky Smith penalised for obstruction just as Wales were looking to open up a three-score lead, while Japan openside Jack Cornelsen got away with blocking in the build-up to Halatoa Vailea. The scrum was another area of contention, with Wales unhappy with some first-half decisions following early signs of promise. "I've had a few positive phone calls and chats with the people we need to speak to around this type of stuff, so hopefully it'll be a bit different on the weekend," added Jones. "There was one penalty went against us first half where I not sure it's a penalty, and one where we got it turned over because Toby was being held in by their number eight. That was a frustrating one but that got turned over and I'm assured they weren't the right decisions. "But we need to be better ourselves, more aggressive across the space and we'll change a few bits around that and hopefully we put a better performance on the field. The first two scrums were pretty good. We could have done better, there were a few bits from them I wanted clarification on. "We've got to move on. I learned as a player you can't dwell on these things, it's the beauty of international rugby. "You've just got to get on with it and you've got a chance to rectify it the week after. It's not the end of the world and we just have to, as a front row in the pack, put a little bit more detail into it and go from there." The fact Wales were up against the novelty of a front-row going the distance in those conditions perhaps makes it slightly more difficult to gauge in terms of mid-game course correction. Not just for a coach, but also a referee - with it perhaps easier for officials to believe the picture isn't changing when the personnel doesn't. "To be honest with you, the picture changed a fair bit throughout the game," added Jones. "It was the loosehead's first cap, the tighthead plays a fair bit for them. "After 20 minutes, I wouldn't say we were on top, but we had a decent scrum five metres out. But then two decisions went against us in that first-half and we probably didn't react well enough to that. "I'm pretty analytical. I look at it and move on. I won't be ranting or raving. I'll just make sure with the boys that we get back to what we need to do and get the process that gives us the best chance of being dominant." "They (Japan's front-row) were technically good. We were bigger, as in bigger men, heavier men, but certainly across the back five of the scrum, there was a lot of weight constantly through our side the whole course of the game. "I've had a few sort of positive chats now and hopefully it'll be looked at in a different way." Last year, Warren Gatland spoke about the fact that, when you're on a lengthy losing run, those 50/50 decisions start to go against you. Whether that's reality or just perception, it's probably the case that you become affected more by the calls that don't go your way - certainly as players. "You'd have to ask them," said Jones. "I think as a player, it can be a bit more emotional. "But as a coach, you just have to move on. You have to pick through the game in your areas, see what the fix-ups are and try to implement them for the week. "There'll be more emotion on Thursday and Friday which will be massive for us. But you do really have to move on. You look through it, but otherwise you're going round and round. "Then it'll be 19, 20 games. There's no point dwelling on it too much. We know when we put play on the field, we'll cause them problems. Article continues below "It's being more consistent around that. We've got to work hard this week. It's the last week of the season, which is always pretty tough. "But there's a pretty big carrot at the end of it."
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales rugby team call in Craig Bellamy as one thing in speech to players hits home
Wales rugby team call in Craig Bellamy as one thing in speech to players hits home Wales players were spoken to by Wales football boss Craig Bellamy before they left for the Far East Wales football manager Craig Bellamy gave a speech to Wales rugby players before they left for Japan (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) As Wales head into the final week of a long season, the words of Craig Bellamy have suddenly become more relevant. Wales' football manager had visited Matt Sherratt's side prior to them flying out to Japan, offering advice to the squad ahead of their summer tour. The former Liverpool and Cardiff City striker was appointed Wales manager a year ago, following Rob Page's departure, and has impressed with his approach to the job - ensuring the national team go toe-to-toe with whoever they face. Naturally, when brought in to speak to Wales' rugby team, his advice was as strong as you'd expect. So much so that, as Wales' losing run at Test level stretched to 18 matches on the weekend, the words Bellamy offered up have become all the more important to players and coaches in Kobe. It's understood that the Wales manager explained how, if he was in a team that had lost that many games in a row, he'd be excited at the prospect of being the one who took the initiative and ended the run. "There were a couple of things that resonated and that was one," said scrum coach Adam Jones. "He said everyone knows Wales because of the Welsh rugby team. Article continues below "As much as it's where we are now, it's still a big thing. Welsh rugby is still a big thing in world rugby. "It's what we're known for. There's a bit of pressure, but on the flipside, the people who turn it around, or get the monkey off our back, it will be pretty special. "It'll be relief I'm sure, but it's going to be a hard old 80 minutes." With one last opportunity to end the losing run this season, Wales will be doing everything they can to find the opportunity in Saturday's second Test, rather than focus on the possibility of 19 consecutive defeats and the pressure that brings. The 600-odd days without a Test victory have only served to exacerbate the pressure on the players. It has become brutal, with those close to the camp suggesting that the dressing room scenes in Kitakyushu post-match were as despondent as they'd ever seen. "It wasn't a great laugh," added Jones. "Oh no, it's hard, isn't it. "At the end of the day, you're representing your country. It's the be all and end all. You put it before everything else. "You put it before your friends and family. So when you lose for your country, it's not the worst feeling in the world - there are worse feelings in the world, don't get me wrong. "But certainly from a sporting point of view, it's the worst feeling. Because it's 18 games, it just magnifies it a wee bit. "It was tough, it was tough. Especially being in the lead and not seeing it home, really." However, one thing Jones is adamant over is just how much this squad care for the jersey - saying they don't deserve to be experiencing these extreme lows. "It's 18 games on the bounce," he said. "What I've noticed from them over the course of the Six Nations and in the last month or so has been, it's never been for lack of effort. "They care. They really care and they really want to play. There's a big thing around the families. "A lot of history has gone into their jersey and they care about that. Dare I say that there's been times in the past when there's been a few players coming through the international system who probably don't care. "They just want the cup and they want to represent Wales and the accolades to go with it. This group certainly isn't like that. "They've done everything since I've been involved, to win and unfortunately we've come up short. If you look at the last 20 minutes probably a few wounds were being opened and we couldn't quite get across the line. "They care massively about the jersey and what it represents and if we don't win, it's not going to be a lack of effort. We've all lost games and unfortunately at the moment we're in a pretty big losing streak. "Even when I was playing, we lost eight games on the bounce. Next year we're winning a Grand Slam. It comes around quick. They'll stick at it. Article continues below "That one win will give them a little bit of confidence to kick on. They've got five weeks after this now, so they've put everything into this last game and hopefully get the result we want. "I know it's easy to say they deserve it from how they apply themselves, but I'd say what I've seen of them, they're a good group of boys and they don't deserve to be in this sort of rut and probably in the criticism they're getting."
