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Last Updated: Sunday, 10 February 2008, 06:21 GMT
Gatland promises more tinkering
Dwayne Peel and Gareth Delve were two players to impress from the bench
Peel and Delve were two players to impress from the bench
Wales coach Warren Gatland says he will again change his winning side ahead of their next Six Nations game with Italy.

"The changes will not be wholesale but there will be some, they will freshen us up, give enthusiasm and impetus," he said after the 30-15 win over Scotland.

"Some guys made a mark off the bench - Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Gareth Delve and Stephen Jones took us home.

"Changes will be on performance and on rota. I'll probably pick the side this week to give more preparation time."

The Kiwi coach has been on a mission to shake up a complacent Wales camp since taking over in December, and was rewarded with an opening 19-26 win over England at Twickenham.

In his first game in charge at the Millennium Stadium, Wales showed flashes of their ability, but an error-strewn performance meant they led the Scots by just 17-15 after 60 minutes.

606: DEBATE
BBC Sport's Bruce Pope

Gatland took the bold decision to make wholesale substitutions, taking off both half-backs along with his loose-head, his hooker and captain and number eight Ryan Jones.

"I was obviously disappointed, but I'm part of a winning team at home, that's another good day," said Jones, who admitted the "huge impact" made by the replacements.

"The performance was patchy but we're two from two, you can't ask more."

After the opening wins, Gatland remains determined to cool any talk of a potential Grand Slam.

But with a home game against Italy next followed by a Triple Crown match in Dublin, runaway excitement seems inevitable.

I'm pretty sure there is no team in the Six Nations working as hard as we are

Wales coach Warren Gatland

"The pleasing thing for me is that we're not going to get the Wooden Spoon, and we have got the chance of the Triple Crown," said Gatland.

"At the back of your mind you always have that [Grand Slam] dream, but if you start talking too far in the future you are going to get caught with your pants down and we have to make sure that doesn't happen.

"We are trying to get a bit of shape into our game, we know the way we want to play, it's just a matter of implementing it by the players.

"I have said it will take two years to be a really good side. When we get there we are going to be pretty good.

"The skill level is brilliant, the attitude is fantastic. If we continue with the hard work we will get there.

"I'm pretty sure there is no team in the Six Nations working as hard as we are."

  • Watch the match in full on BBC iPlayer for seven days from Saturday (UK users only).

  • SEE ALSO
    Tom Shanklin column
    10 Feb 08 |  Welsh
    Fear drives Wales team forward
    09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union
    Wales 30-15 Scotland
    09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union
    Hadden demands Scots improvement
    09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union
    Wales v Scotland player ratings
    09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union
    Six Nations photos
    09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union
    Six Nations as it happened
    09 Feb 08 |  Rugby Union
    Wal v Sco match stats
    31 Jan 08 |  Rugby Union
    BBC Sport Wales coverage
    31 Dec 07 |  Wales
    Wales' rugby fixtures
    26 Jun 07 |  Welsh
    Wales rugby results archive
    15 Oct 03 |  Welsh


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