Gatland eyeing 'greatest' achievement

Warren Gatland believes Wales winning a Grand Slam and RBS 6 Nations title would provide “the greatest highlight” of his international career.

The New Zealander has transformed Wales in just a handful of games from World Cup flops to possible kings of Europe.

Victory over France at the Millennium Stadium this evening would guarantee a second tournament clean sweep in four seasons.

Wales can even afford to lose and still be crowned Six Nations champions, such is their vastly-superior points difference over the second-placed French.

But Gatland and company want both glittering prizes, and the former Ireland coach has no doubt what it would mean.

He said: “It would be pretty special. I don’t tend to rank achievements from one to 10 or anything like that. Maybe one day I will do that.

“But for me, as an international coach, this would be the greatest highlight.”

Having come so far, following victories over England, Scotland, Italy and Ireland, Gatland is looking for his players to finish the job and send one of European rugby’s proudest rugby nations into raptures.

The game will be played under a closed roof – agreement was apparently reached between the countries earlier this week – while lock Ian Gough is to lead Wales out on the occasion of his 50th cap.

Gatland added: “The heads are switched on.

“We’ve tried to keep the routine exactly the same as we have for every game. We haven’t changed anything.

“The players have worked hard again this week, and everyone is just looking forward to it.

“This has been the hardest game for us to prepare for, with France having made a lot of changes throughout the championship.

“It has been hard to do a huge amount of analysis on them, but given their potential and potency, it is going to be a tough game.

“It is about building confidence and gaining confidence. The players have started to believe in each other and the type of game we are trying to play.

“They have given everything that we’ve asked of them. I am really proud of what they have done so far.”

Seven of Wales’ starting line-up today – Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones – saw off Ireland to land the Grand Slam in 2005.

And Gatland said: “When you get given an opportunity to do something that is a little bit special, you don’t want to let those opportunities slip by.

“There are a few guys who have got a chance to be a part of two Grand Slam-winning Wales sides, which would be something to look back on in a number of years’ time.”