The most important person in Wales’s bid to turn around their record slump in this year’s Six Nations is arguably not coach Warren Gatland or any of his players.
Despite failing to win a Test in 2024 and with his team on a run of 12 straight losses, Gatland has remained in position, but clearly something had to change in his set-up.
Many believe there should have been more alterations. However, one arrival is significant.
Andy McCann is not a new face to the Welsh Rugby Union. He won’t score a try, kick a conversion or make a tackle in the coming weeks. Nor will he impart specific coaching wisdom to the players.
What he will do, in his role covering mental skills and performance, is help Gatland’s squad with their off-field preparation.
McCann worked with Wales in Gatland’s first spell in charge, from 2009 to 2017, earning rave reviews. France defence coach Shaun Edwards said: ‘He is one of the premier operators in his field.’ Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton added: ‘Without doubt, Andy had a huge impact on my career.’
Wales’ run of 12 straight losses included a 16-14 defeat by England at Twickenham in 2024
Warren Gatland remained in post despite his side’s winless 2024 but things had to change around him
Andy McCann worked with Wales in Gatland’s first spell in charge, from 2009 to 2017
Warburton and two other former Wales stars, George North and Leigh Halfpenny, swore by McCann’s methods. Now, his challenge is to work with a callow squad who have become used to losing. Wales’s decline on the field can be attributed to several factors and McCann can’t turn around things single-handedly, but Gatland is hoping he will have a big impact.
‘The positive about Andy is that when he’s presenting to the group, he’s talking about the realities of professional sport, real life, and creating resilience in terms of mental toughness,’ Gatland said before Friday night’s daunting Six Nations opener against France.
‘Those are things you need at this level. He’s had experiences in the past with players like George and Sam. He brings a wealth of experience, not just in rugby.
‘He’s worked with Olympic rowers to break records. He was with the military. He has a wealth of knowledge in other disciplines.
‘The message is always the same. It’s about hard work and it’s not always easy. You’ve got to be tough. He’s already been excellent and started to develop relationships with the squad.’
Gatland admitted last year that he has to treat his new generation differently. The modern player, reflecting societal changes, needs the carrot more than the stick. In the past, Gatland could serve up harsh criticism. Now he has to tread more carefully.
Experienced full back Liam Williams, back from injury to start in Paris, has admitted Wales’s youngsters have been reluctant to speak up in team meetings. If they can find their voices off the field, they should improve on it.
‘I’ve already found Andy a very interesting source of information you wouldn’t hear elsewhere,’ said lock Will Rowlands.
Liam Williams admitted Wales’s youngsters have been reluctant to speak up in team meetings
Lock Will Rowlands has found plenty of value in McCann’s distinctive workshops
‘He seems to have worked with people dealing with high-pressure situations — Atlantic rowers, armed forces, rescue services and surgeons. He has strategies around how to calm yourself and give the best account of yourself.
‘There’s been a few workshops around that and a few more to come. There is a lot of value in what Andy can teach us. We are looking to add little percentages that can all add up to quite a big difference. He can be a very useful resource for everyone.’
Wales have had minimal time to prepare for Les Bleus and the fact 11 of their 35 players had to return to club sides last weekend didn’t help. Many are predicting a one-sided contest and Wales’ struggles make them favourites to pick up the wooden spoon for the second straight Six Nations.
Gatland has nonetheless been happy with the preparation, where there has been a focus on picking up morale. Flanker James Botham is in charge of the squad’s entertainment and his organisation of an arcade games night was well received.
Williams and his namesake, scrum-half Tomos, are on the fines committee, their status as senior players ensuring junior squad members are kept in check.
The changing of the guard also means the squad’s card school has lost many long-standing participants, with Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones, Kieran Hardy and Tomas Francis not in this squad for various reasons.
Liam Williams is the last man standing and wants Mail Sport columnist Biggar to return. ‘We will have to start recruiting when we go to Paris and Nice!’ he said.
Like McCann, Adam Jones is a new face having joined as a scrum coach. The former prop is a legendary figure and has been a breath of fresh air, bringing energy and no little knowledge.
Wales have had minimal time to prepare for their clash against France in Paris this weekend
Legendary player Adam Jones is a new face for this group, having joined as a scrum coach
Jones plans to introduce quizzes to Gatland’s camp. ‘I do it often with Harlequins,’ he said. ‘I got the best-ever score on A Question of Sport — 18 answers correct in one show. It made Sue Barker’s book!’
Jones is only with Wales for the Six Nations on a short-term loan from Harlequins. Alex King, who was in charge of the backs, has departed. Rob Howley is now in charge of attack.
‘Things can only improve,’ said Rowlands. ‘Being written off is perfect for us. We can go there (Paris) with little expectation. There is only one way to go — up.’
Gatland will hope that the return of Liam Williams and Josh Adams, plus lock Dafydd Jenkins, can help keep a lid on France, who are without Thibaud Flament, Charles Ollivon, Gael Fickou and Damian Penaud.
But the success of Wales’ Six Nations will be defined by their round-two clash with Italy in Rome. They won on their last trip in 2023; that is still their last Six Nations win. Lose at the Stadio Olimpico this time and another whitewash will be on the cards. That would, in all likelihood, lead to Gatland’s exit.
Just four years ago, Wales were Six Nations champions and only just missed out on a Grand Slam. Fans used to expect victory over France but things couldn’t be more different now, even if Liam Williams and Adams’ presence on the field and Jones and McCann off it are causes for optimism.
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