Players seek to avoid politics, but appeal to time

Wales have less than ten weeks to find a winning formula as the countdown to the Six Nations begins.

The battered team will head into the tournament’s opener in Paris on January 31 after 12 straight Test defeats.

Warren Gatland hopes to learn his fate following the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) routine review of the campaign.

The head coach says he needs more time to turn his young side into Test match contenders and has been backed by flanker James Botham.

But the Cardiff striker, whose last-gasp effort against South Africa prevented a record home defeat for Wales, also outlined the difficulties facing a side feeling caught in a whirlwind.

“My job is just to play. I’m not a CEO or a politician. I show up, do what I’m told and give everything for my country,” Botham said.

While the WRU reviews the results, its annual general meeting was held on Sunday to discuss larger issues in the game in Wales as the regions look to agree a new deal for the professional game.

“I don’t get caught up in all of this (because) if you do, it can end up being a very negative place,” Botham added.

“There’s been a lot of negativity around lately, but you have to put it in your back pocket.”

South Africa outplayed and outclassed Wales, but Gatland believes there were positive signs as well as attempts at consolation for Rio Dyer and then the death of Botham.

“I wouldn’t say it was about proving a point (but) the boys showed how much they care and how much we are together as a unit,” Botham, 26, said.

“All teams are moving. For some it takes longer than others. It’s a journey and we definitely have a few more stops to make before we reach our final destination. The more we are together, the better we will be.”

Botham, a Six Nations winner in 2021, was one of Wales’ few standout performers in the autumn, not least by making nearly 50 tackles alongside Jack Morgan against South Africa.

But Wales can’t just bulldoze their way to victory and know they need to find a physical edge to have any hope against France in the new year.

“Australia were under pressure for a while but they’ve spent more time together and are starting to get results,” Botham said.

“We still have a lot of games ahead of us and the Six Nations is a new competition where we can set new goals.

“We can all work on things and become a better team by spending more time together to bond and become better.”