Honours: 6 Nations Grand Slam (2005 and 2008), Five Nations Grand Slam (1911, 1950, 1952, 1971, 1976 & 1978), Four Nations Grand Slam (1908, 1909), Six Nations winners (Twice), Five Nations Winners (15 outright, eight shared), Four Nations winners (seven outright, three shared)
Last year Six Nations 2011 : Wales had a woeful 2010 in which they managed only two wins, against Italy and Scotland. The Welsh opened last year's campaign with a 30-17 defeat to England at Twickenham, although they weren't helped by lock Alun-Wyn Jones' reckless trip on Dylan Hartley that earned the Ospreys forward a yellow card - England scored 17 points while Jones was off the field. An eventful tournament for Wales continued at pace as a last-gasp Shane Williams try sunk Scotland 31-24 in a Cardiff classic. Wales, now minus an injured Alun-Wyn Jones and a suspended Andy Powell following his infamous golf buggy incident, lost 26-20 at home to Friday night opponents France and then went on to lose 27-12 at the hands of the Irish at Croke Park. Not since the final game of last season's Six Nations tournament when they predictably toppled the Azzurri in Cardiff, have Gatland's men finished on the right side of the ledger.
This year Six Nations 2011 : Coach Warren Gatland knows is under massive pressure after a string of disappointing results. And the 2011 Six Nations could not get off to a more explosive start, with a Friday home match against traditionally Wales' biggest rivals England at the Millennium Stadium. Wales, the 2008 Grand Slam champions, who have finished fourth in the last two tournaments, then face away games against Scotland, Italy and France before finishing in Cardiff against Ireland. Despite a poor return from the November Tests, the Welsh pack proved itself a force to be reckoned with. However, their backline play has become one-dimensional and easy to manage. The line-out continues to be a problem area and an inability to secure victory in close games suggests mental fragility.
Coach Six Nations 2011 : Warren Gatland has a reputation for success, and his CV proves it, having masterminded a Six Nations title win plus Heineken Cup glory and three English Premiership titles while at Wasps and the Air New Zealand Cup with Waikato during his coaching career. However, the knives are out for Gatland - who agreed a new WRU contract last year that will run until after the 2015 World Cup - after a poor November Test series stretched Wales' winless streak to seven games. There is no doubting his initial impact in the role, but can he take a talented, if paper thin, squad to the next level?
Captain Six Nations 2011 : Ryan Jones was initially installed as captain by Warren Gatland but the big number eight has been forced to make way for hooker Matthew Rees, who impressed when handed the responsibility ahead of Jones in November last year, and led from the front with some strong displays. However, his line-out throwing remains a concern.
Player to watch: In the backline, Perpignan-bound centre James Hook is firmly established as one of European rugby's most creative players, with the ability to unlock most defences. Hook, whether he plays fly-half, centre or full-back, is an attacking threat Wales will want to utilise. In the forwards, Gatland has placed enormous faith in the 22-year-old loose forward Sam Warburton as he preferred him to his Cardiff Blues team-mate and 98-Test veteran Martyn Williams. Daunting as it is to follow someone of the stature of Williams, Warburton possesses great qualities such as mobility and excellent tackling and mentally appears well-prepared for the rigours and stresses of a first Six Nations campaign.
Fixtures Six Nations 2011 :
Friday 4 Feb vs England -- Millennium Stadium
Saturday 12 Feb vs Scotland -- Murrayfield
Saturday 26 Feb vs Italy -- Stadio Flaminio
Saturday 12 Mar: vs Ireland -- Millennium Stadium
Saturday 19 Mar: vs France -- Stade de France
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