Wales owe Grand Slam more to Gatland and the players than super Shaun

To say Wales’ Grand Slam was unexpected would be something of an understatement. They had crashed out of last summer’s World Cup at the group stages after defeat to Fiji, whereas England had reached the final, and France the semi-final. Most people outside of the Principality would have viewed third spot in this season’s Six Nations as an achievement.

The problem at the World Cup (and indeed since their last Six Nations win in 2005) was poor organisation and a lack of strength in the forwards. Wales have had an exciting back line for years, but never been able to use it effectively as they didn’t have a strong base to build on.

This is the year that changed. They only conceded two tries in whole tournament, looked disciplined and solid in defence and were devastatingly creative in attack, scoring 13 tries. Apart from a poor first half against England, they played well throughout the tournament and deserved their Grand Slam.

Much of the credit for Wales’s surprise victory has gone to forwards coach Shaun Edwards. He has developed the confidence, tactical awareness and discipline of the forwards, which has enabled them to play with such effectiveness. Perhaps the most important aspect of all of this is that they were then able to provide the platform for the backs to base their superb attacking play on.

Flanker Martyn Williams, their most experienced player with 81 caps, hailed Edwards' impact as "unbelievable,'' adding ''all the credit for our defensive work goes to Shaun''. Captain Ryan Jones also praised Edwards in the aftermath of the France games, citing the fear factor he had instilled in the forwards, and the back-to-basics approach which proved so successful.

However, as much as Edwards has made an amazing impact, head coach Warren Gatland must be hailed as the true architect of Wales’s latest Grand Slam. He is the one who instilled belief in a previously demoralised squad, and enabled them to function as an effective unit.

The turn-around from the World Cup is just astonishing. Tom Shanklin’s assessment of the difference Gatland has made couldn’t be more emphatic.  “The coach has come in and been brilliant. He’s drilled professionalism, attitude, work ethic and intensity into us and that is what we have to keep going.”

One of the other things the Welsh national side suffers from  is immense pressure based on the sky-high expectations and passion of the fans. There is more coverage, more in-depth reporting and more intensity than England and Scotland put together.

Gatland did his utmost before and during the tournament to keep the expectations to a minimum, taking the pressure off the players which allows them to focus on their games. Media appearances were kept to a minimum, discipline was enforced and a positive mentality was created. The results were clear for all to see - players not crushed by expectation, playing with freedom and confidence.  

Gatland must also be credited with snapping up Edwards in the first place, after the English RFU offered him a derisory position with the A squad. What was going through the minds of the top brass at Twickenham can only be imagined.

Edwards has done a great job at Wasps, and should have been rewarded with a more high profile position. Instead the canny Kiwi swept in and carried him across the border to Wales where they worked, together with Rob Howley, to such fantastic effect. Gatland was able to recognise Edward’s potential and should be congratulated for it - apparently such insight is beyond the English RFU.

The final word, though, must go to Edwards himself: "I can assure you I didn't make one tackle in this Six Nations. The credit must go to the players."

The coaches can only do so much, once the players are off the training field and out the dressing room it is down to them, they are the ones that win or lose matches. So if Gatland was the architect, with Edwards and Howley as his assistants, then the players were the hard-working labourers who got the job done.