Wales captain Ken Owens has responded to Warren Gatland's revelation of a "significant split" among players over strike action, saying a "decision was made democratically" amid a "hugely emotional time".
Wales' last Six Nations fixture with England nearly didn't go ahead as players threatened strike action over a contract dispute with Welsh rugby bosses. Ultimately, any strike action was averted on a dramatic Wednesday before the Cardiff clash, but Gatland has now stated he believes the toll on players had an adverse affect against England.
That was also when the Wales coach, who has yet to win on his return to the post he left in 2019, made public the "significant split" within the camp.
Naturally, it's questionable how players would react to having that detail thrown out into the public domain - with Owens asked for his thoughts at Wales' captain's run in Rome on Friday.
WalesOnline understands a third of the squad were against accepting the terms offered that eventually averted the action, but that the playing group decided to go with the majority after a vote.
"In those two weeks there were high emotion and a lot of different opinions which is good," he replied. "Every player in the squad is in a different situation in their career and where they are at in terms of contracting at the moment.
"It was a hugely emotional time for different reasons. The whole group were mature about it and a decision was made democratically, we all bought into that.
"That was two weeks ago now and we have had time just to prepare and concentrate on the rugby and that is what we will be doing tomorrow."
With matches away to Italy and France, as well as a week spent training in the south of France, the Scarlets hooker admitted that being aware from the media spotlight within Wales - with the day that resulted in no strike action playing out in front of the cameras at the Vale Resort - was a good thing.
"You do get caught in the goldfish bowl," he said. "There is a lot going around off the field more than anything and we have not had consistency in performance and not had results.
"The scrutiny comes on ever harder so it's great for us to come away for 10 days and put into action a World Cup training plan as well being away which will be good. It will be good spending time with the squad away from Wales and the Vale and concentrate fully on the rugby and not worry about the rest of it."
He also added that the two weeks prior to the Italy match had been "a lot less stressful" than the fortnight that preceded the England game. He added that Wales had "been able to just concentrate on rugby preparations and the game which has been great."
He also insisted that a win over Italy would go a long way to changing things. Wales have only lost twice in Rome before now, in 2003 and 2007.
That first occasion was also the last time Wales suffered a Six Nations whitewash and ended up with the Wooden Spoon - something they're desperate to avoid this time around.
"We are all proud Welshmen, we put the shirt on to get results and make the country proud," he added. "It has been tough over the last couple of weeks because we have not been accurate and consistent enough. Hopefully we get a win tomorrow and we can build from there with the last game the week after and then onto the World Cup."
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