Gatland, who is in his second stint as Wales's head coach after 12 successful years up to the end of the 2019 World Cup, has more reasons than usual to feel jangly. Tonight's opponents, Fiji, are coming off the back of a victory over England at Twickenham while Wales have only we on two matches all year.
"I always get nervous and I would be worried if I wasn't," said Gatland, who steered Wales to the semi-finals in 2011 and 2019. "When you are a player you can influence a game, but you are helpless as a coach and that is the hardest thing.
"We were 10-0 down against Fiji in the last World Cup but we stuck to our processes and got back into it. We have to make sure that we are clear about what we want to achieve and we need to start well." Wales had considerable experience in 2015 and 2019, but in Gatland's first World Cup in 2011, he jettisoned a number of senior figures in the runup to the tournament and they came within a kick of reaching the final.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin September 10, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin September 10, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Holders Kent are back in business
KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.
Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four
RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.
'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'
ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.
Best I've felt for six years - Roux
QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.
Lake's at double to sink the Dragons
OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.
Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride
THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.
It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries
SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.
Big win but it's not enough for Bears
BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.
Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day
BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.
Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory
THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.
