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Ben James

Warren Gatland Q&A: The players that pleased me and what we still have to work on

Wales won in the Six Nations for the first time this year with a streetwise and relatively assured victory over Italy in Rome.

The win also marked Warren Gatland's first triumph since returning to the post he originally left in 2019, while it also meant Wales are now likely to avoid the Wooden Spoon.

Here's everything Gatland had to say afterwards.

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How satisfied are you with the win?

"There are still a number of things to work on. I think we deserved to win the game.

"We weren't quite as accurate in the second half and we did not have as much ball as we did in the first half.

"I was pleased to get the win. It's nice to be sitting in the coaching box sort of going through the feeling that this game is going to go down to the wire.

"In fairness to the boys they scrambled well so I was pleased with the result."

What aspects of the game have improved and what do you still have to work on?

"I think defensively at times we were good. A number of players would have learned a lot from today's experience and some of those combinations.

"In the midfield, I thought Joe Hawkins carried well but we got caught a little bit defensively on a couple of occasions and just making some right decisions.

"There is a lot of growth in this team with some of the youngsters so they will learn from that and be better for it."

How did you assess Rhys Webb's performance?

"I thought he was excellent in the way his decision making controlled the game. He kicked well.

"He has not played at this level for a while so we were always thinking when did we need to make a change in terms of his legs and stuff.

"I thought his contribution was excellent and his decision making in not trying to force things, not trying too hard.

"When that opportunity arose he has gone through the gap and picked out Faletau for the try and he has made the right call.

"I thought it was a great contribution by him."

What's the latest with injuries?

"Dan (Biggar) will be fine. There's a few guys banged up and a bit of cramping.

"Scott Baldwin has a pec injury which needs a scan and that could potentially rule him out of next week. Liam Williams was a clavicle.

"Josh Adams had a slight knock to the knee. He carried on so he should be ok. It's just a few guys banged up."

How much confidence will you take from that win?

"I think it will be massive. I saw that today at times when we had fallen off a tackle or they'd made a break, I thought our scramble and how the boys got back and worked hard today for each other was one of the biggest highlights.

"The nice thing about the last two weeks is it has been the first time we've actually been able to concentrate on the rugby without other issues going on behind the scenes.

"There's no doubt that's made a difference to this group. We spoke before the game about being smart about how we wanted to play, but also being brave and taking those opportunities and moving the ball.

"I didn't feel that was a game that we just had to win. I thought we deserved to win today against an Italy team that is obviously improving. They're the most athletic Italian side we've faced."

Read more:

Wales player ratings as Rhys Webb rolls back the years but winger frustrated after Gatland call

Wales finally win a Six Nations match as old face returns to make difference

Italy 17-29 Wales Live: Faletau secures bonus point win in Six Nations

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