Warren Gatland has warned that people should write Wales off at their peril in this season's Guinness Six Nations, despite the team being on a record losing streak.
The form guide suggests another tough campaign for Wales after collecting the wooden spoon last season for the first time since 2003, with Gatland's side on a 12-match Test losing streak and without a win since beating World Cup opponents Georgia 15 months ago.
Head coach Gatland has managed to bolster his squad with returning players such as Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau – who have 255 caps between them – despite losing Autumn Nations Series captain Dewi Lake to injury.
Gatland's Wales team have lost every Test match they have played in 2024
Mason Grady, Sam Costelow, Ryan Elias, Archie Griffin and Adam Beard have also been ruled out ahead of the fiercely contested opener against France in Paris on January 31, with 17 players in Gatland's 34-man squad having made fewer than 10 Test appearances.
“The challenge for us was that after the World Cup we lost 18 players and so much experience,” Gatland said, speaking at the Six Nations media launch in Rome. “You choose young people, and that takes a little time. Some of the youngsters will see them develop to be really positive.
“We are in a good position because there are no expectations. People write us off. And I said that before the World Cup (Wales were quarter-finalists). A lot of people said we wouldn't even get out of our group.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England manager Steve Borthwick explains why he decided to appoint Maro Itoje as captain, replacing Saracens team-mate Jamie George
“The message at the time was that you wrote us off at your peril, and things haven't changed there. This is such a difficult tournament to win. It's so difficult. When you look back and you've won the Six Nations or a Grand Slam, there will be a few decisions that did you go in your hand, bounce the ball or you had a little luck in the tournament.”
Wales are an 80/1 chance with some bookmakers for the title and it will be a significant achievement if they threaten a top-three finish, a far cry from when Gatland enjoyed Grand Slam success during his time as Wales boss.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Interim Ireland coach Simon Easterby is looking forward to the Six Nations between England and Ireland in Dublin
“It's the strongest I've ever seen the Six Nations in terms of the quality of the players and the quality of the teams,” Gatland added. “I remember way back when everyone was just talking about France and England at the start of the Five Nations or Six Nations and who was going to win them.
“The others were kind of trying to fight for scraps. People write us off, and I said it before the World Cup, you write us off at your peril. We just have to create confidence and self-belief within our group, and almost like a siege mentality in terms of going to Paris .”
Townsend: Scotland can compete despite key injuries
Gregor Townsend insists Scotland have the depth to overcome the devastating loss of Siona Tuipulotu to injury for the entire Guinness Six Nations.
Sione Tuipulotu will miss the Guinness Six Nations through injury
Tuipulotu, Scotland's captain and star centre, must undergo surgery to repair a pectoral muscle damaged in training with Glasgow Warriors last week and is not expected to return until later in the season.
Stafford McDowall is the leading candidate to be paired alongside Huw Jones, but Rory Hutchinson and Tom Jordan are also options.
“It's a real blow for Sione to be so close to the tournament and it's a blow to the tournament and our supporters that they can't see him play,” Townsend said. “But as a team you have to accept that injuries happen and that's why you create depth over a long period of time.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is optimistic ahead of the Six Nations and says his side will be 'very competitive'
“We've got some really good 12s in our squad who now have an opportunity they probably didn't think was coming. We're backing them to go and grab that opportunity.”
Tuipulotu's absence sees Rory Darge and Finn Russell take over as co-captains – roles they held in last year's Six Nations until the Australian-born 27-year-old was appointed skipper in the autumn.
Second-row first-row Scott Cummings could also be out for the entire contest with a broken arm, while spinner Dylan Richardson is ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Watch every game of the Great Britain and Ireland tour of Australia 2025 this summer, including all three Test matches against the Wallabies, exclusively live on Sky Sports. Don't have Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream without a contract on NOW.