Grand Slam

Transforming Wales from World Cup flops to Grand Slam heroes was a "dream", coach Warren Gatland admitted after seeing his side beat France 29-12 in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The result ensured Wales a second Grand Slam in four years, a remarkable turnaround for a team that crashed out of last season's World Cup in the group stages, a result that cost then-coach Gareth Jenkins his job.

Gatland took the helm, and has overseen five straight wins in the championship with a squad hardly changed from the debacle in France.

The New Zealander, who formerly coached Waikato, Wasps and Ireland, said the first goal had been beating England in the first game of the tournament.

"If we could beat England away at Twickenham, and we were lucky enough to do that, our next two games were at home then you have a chance," he said.

"This competition's so short it's all about creating some momentum, and if you win a few games it's great, if you lose a few you're looking at the wooden spoon.

"It was a dream. You have got to believe," he said, admitting that assistant coach Shaun Edwards had given him "a hard time before the competition started when I said we could win the Six Nations".

Edwards, he said, had called him an "eternal optimist".

"The disappointment for Wales in the World Cup came down to a couple of shots at goal. That cost them a quarter-final place and that's how close games in international rugby can be.

"It can turn and change careers."

Gatland said that after his arrival in Wales, he found a group of players with "ability and talent".

"We put some structures in place," he said, adding that emphasis had been laid on "work ethic and self-belief".

"The guys have been magnificent. You get what you deserve - they deserved to win the Six Nations.

"The last few months have been tough for them, but they've responded.

"Winning the Grand Slam in the first season is pretty special."

Edwards, the former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league legend, hailed the tenacious Welsh defence that only conceded two tries.

"Offence sells tickets, defence wins championships," said Edwards, who was assistant to Gatland at Wasps.

"The attitude to defence over the whole of the Six Nations has superseded anything I could even have dreamt of.

"To concede only two tries, one from an interception, one from a kick, so not one running try in five games, is massive credit for the players."

"It's not very romantic but there's no doubt that teams with the best defences often win championships. "What I've always been pleased about is the number of tries we've scored from our defence," he added.

Captain Ryan Jones also hailed his players.

"You push yourself to the limit and get what you deserve," he said.
"Then you have moments like that that you can't put into words, experiences you can't buy and will treasure forever."

Wales - Tries: Shane Williams, Martyn Williams. Conversions: Stephen Jones (2). Penalties: James Hook (3), Jones (2).

France - Penalties: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (3), Dimitri Yachvili.

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)