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Wales boss Warren Gatland hailed players who \u201cwill run through a brick wall for you\u201d after they demolished Ireland 25-7 to be crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions.<\/p>\nWales boss Warren Gatland hailed players who \u201cwill run through a brick wall for you\u201d after they demolished Ireland 25-7 to be crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions.<\/p>\n
Wales made it 14 games unbeaten and gave head coach Gatland a record third clean sweep in his final Six Nations game at the helm.<\/p>\n
An outstanding Gareth Anscombe kicked 20 points \u2013 six penalties and the conversion of center Hadleigh Parkes\u2019 second-minute try \u2013 to sink Ireland in swirling rain under leaden skies on an afternoon when the visitors insisted the Principality Stadium roof remained open.<\/p>\n
Wales climbed above Ireland to hold second spot in rugby\u2019s official world rankings, and they will head to the World Cup in Japan later this year \u2013 Gatland\u2019s swansong \u2013 as major title contenders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group of players will run through a brick wall for you,\u201d Gatland said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am excited for the World Cup because you get two or three months together and you can prepare like a club side.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can go into a lot of skill development and really fine-tune your game. From that point of view, we will be in great shape.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our previous two World Cups (Gatland was in charge of), we were one of the fittest teams in the World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be in good shape for this one as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gatland predicted that Wales would win the Grand Slam if they beat France in their opening match, and they fought back from 16 points adrift to win that game.<\/p>\n
Six weeks later, they led 16-0 at half time and dominated Ireland in a way rarely seen against Joe Schmidt\u2019s team during recent seasons.<\/p>\n
I am excited for the World Cup because you get two or three months together and you can prepare like a club side<\/p>\n
Gatland added: \u201cIt\u2019s nice when predictions come true, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to have that belief and self-confidence in us, and if I can portray that on to the players in some small way then hopefully they can believe it as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great performance today. The boys thoroughly deserve it. Creating history and winning Grand Slams are things nobody can ever take away from you.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they were exceptional in the way they managed the game. Our physicality nullified what have been Ireland\u2019s strengths in scrum, lineout and runners off nine.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur turnover rate, compared to them, gave us that dominance, particularly in that first half<\/p>\n
\u201cEmotion plays a huge part in big games like that. For our group of players, they knew they were playing for first or third place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Irish players probably didn\u2019t expect England to lose to Scotland, so in their heads they were playing for second or third. That has a significant impact in those small percentages.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are at home, there is a tidal wave of support behind you, and it built.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will miss the atmosphere of a full house, coming in on the bus, the fans and the celebrations afterwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I will enjoy that (winning three Grand Slams) afterwards, but the game is always about the players, and we stress that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland were washed away as Wales completed a first Six Nations clean sweep for seven years \u2013 a tournament record fourth Grand Slam \u2013 and landed their first Six Nations title since 2013,<\/p>\n
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said: \u201cWe are managing games better and working on these things. Belief is something you have to earn, and we are doing that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have put a big target on our back for a lot of other teams, and you have to be comfortable with the pressure that comes with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones continued: \u201cI\u2019m very fortunate to have been involved in two previous Grand Slams.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you see young men come into the side and see them grow over an eight or nine-week period\u2026 I can\u2019t tell these guys what to do, given the way they are performing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been involved in regional rugby and all its deficiencies, but it must be doing something right, because these guys are doing a job.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just really proud for such a small nation to be able to do that. It\u2019s very simple, and that was the message before the game, to be proud and represent who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
On his coach, he added: \u201cHe has been pretty prolific, not just with Wales but with the other red jersey (British and Irish Lions) as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has got a bit left on his contract, so he can\u2019t take his foot off the gas yet. But his record speaks for itself \u2013 three Grand Slams.\u201d<\/p>\n