Wayne Pivac faced the media for the first time ahead of Wales' Six Nations title defence at the tournament's launch on Wednesday.
Here's everything he had to say...
How have the first couple of days in camp gone?
"Very well. The boys came in and we had a bit of an introductory day on Monday, a few new boys, so a few meetings getting to know each other, and we had a very solid day yesterday in terms of the intensity of the training session we had in the afternoon, which we followed up with a good session this morning.
"I am really pleased with the attitude of the boys and the work we've done.
Christ Tshiunza has tested positive for Covid. Is that an isolated case?
"Yes, it is. The whole squad and management have been tested again this morning, with everyone being negative, so it is an isolated case.
It's your third Six Nations with Wales - are you looking forward to it?
"Yes, definitely. With the tournament last year, it was such an exciting campaign with the way it built from round one through to the final weekend, all of the drama that unfolded. No crowds for the first time in a Six Nations, so it had a bit of everything, but ultimately, the rugby was great.
"If we can emulate that this time around and have some of the great rugby that was played and some of the tries that were scored, that is certainly going to be our intention.
"We know it is going to be a big challenge with some absentees well-documented, but as we say in camp, that is opportunities for others. It is a time now for others to step up. All in all, we have got a pretty healthy squad.
You're without Alun Wyn Jones this time. Can we rule out another Lazarus-style comeback?
“Never say never. It's Alun Wyn Jones. I probably wouldn’t enter the conversation if it was anyone else, but the guy has broken so many records. I honestly say that, that I would never say never.
"But, look, it'll be a long shot. Let's just say that Al is working incredibly hard behind the scenes, as you know he would, to get himself in the best shape possible for either the Ospreys or Wales."
There's been plenty of talk around the fortunes of the four Welsh sides. As Wales coach, does the competitiveness of the regions concern you?
"We'd like to have everyone performing at the top of their game. We'd like to have the teams winning more than they currently are. I think that gives players a little bit more confidence when they come into camp.
"Having said that, we've selected players who haven't had a lot of rugby in some cases but they've played extremely well for their country over a number of years.
"From our point of view, it's about understanding what it takes to play rugby at this level of the game, knowing the amount of time we've got to work with the players, looking at the character of players selected and making sure we've got people we think can get the job done in the time available.
"Look, it's not the ideal way to be coming into a camp with the injuries and some of the form. But it's what we're dealing with and we're doing our upmost to make sure the players get everything they need in the environment to perform at the best of their abilities.
"That's what we're trying to achieve."
With the lack of festive rugby, how do you flip the switch to get boys prepared going from their regional form into a Test camp?
"It's certainly a challenge in terms of getting the squad finalised and looking at minutes played, form, injuries, players who might come in and who might be fit later on in the competition.
It's a difficult jigsaw puzzle to put together. But now that we've done that, seeing the boys come together here in the first two days and the efforts they've put in on the training pitch and in the classroom, it gives us great confidence that this is a group pf players that has come together.
"They know it's a huge opportunity to go and perform on a big stage. There's only one bigger stage for me and that's the knockout stages of a World Cup. It's a great opportunity and there won't be any lack of effort by the players.
How you feel about claims that the structure in Welsh rugby is built towards prioritising the success of the national side over the regions?
"I think it's common sense that the Welsh national team needs to perform because it's the cash cow for the game in Wales.
"It's probably not the time for me to be wading into that conversation. It's safe to say there's been many conversations going on around the subject since I arrived in Wales. It's not a new one.
"It's not one that will probably go away overnight. We're certainly focused on the job in hand and the group of players we have. We've got enough to worry about. That's something that will probably be discussed at a later date."
The Six Nations is a tournament dependent on momentum. How important is it to start well?
“Momentum is everything. Dan has talked about it throughout the day from a player’s perspective. Last year, we got that all-important win over Ireland and then followed up in Scotland.
"We got momentum and then teams were chasing us. You grow in confidence and you expect things to improve as you spend time together. They did and we came out playing some of our best rugby in the only defeat to France.
"Time together is vital and momentum is everything in this tournament. Dublin is a massive occasion for us and one we’re going to prepare for. We’re looking to go out and play the same brand of rugby that worked last year.”
Who are the players you're excited to work with in this campaign?
“There’s a number of players for different reasons. There’s some guys who have played in the competition before but haven’t had major leadership roles before.
"We're really excited for Dan, Adam Beard and then guys who will assist them. It’s really interesting to see who steps up to those challenges.
"But also the young guys coming in. There's a guy in Dewi Lake who is a big man for a hooker. He brings a physical presence to the position. Hasn't played at this level before, but he’s been around the squad in the past from a learning point of view.
"There's guys there who, given the opportunity, I’m sure you’ll see them enjoy it. There’s so many guys with opportunities. This is a massive opportunity for so many guys to show some form.
"A guy like Josh Adams can play in multiple positions. Where will he end up in this series? We'll work that out in training.
"There's good challenges for everyone. You don't replace 600 caps overnight. There's more opportunities for players . Ultimately, we’re here to get a job done."
How do you catch up given both the lack of caps in the squad and the lack of playing minutes since the autumn?
"Your numbers talking about the lack of experience is spot on. I think in the French game we had over 1,000 caps - we've lost 680 of them. That is a huge amount.
"We talked on Monday about players being good listeners, I think the young players have to listen to the likes of Dan and those players who've' had multiple campaigns, because they know the rigours of the championship, how tough it can be at times and how rewarding it can be when you get things right and the perseverance and hard work pays off.
"Listening is a big part of what these younger guys are going to have to do, and then have to apply themselves and take that into training and games.
"It's about developing as players in a short space of time. Being able to take information on board is really important, and then being able to transfer that under pressure is the big challenge.
"We are going to expose them in training to an intensity they're not used to, and they need that because Test matches are played at a greater intensity than club rugby. The collisions are bigger, there are more of them and more often.
"A lot of our younger guys until the autumn hadn't played in front of a crowd in a Welsh jersey. It's a pretty inexperienced group in terms of the Six Nations, but again, what an opportunity."
How big a campaign is this for Taine Basham after his breakthrough in the autumn?
"He had a slow start in the summer, went away and worked very hard at his game, got himself a lot fitter, making much better decisions on the field.
"I thought against the southern hemisphere sides that he faced, all four of them, he did very well. Looking forward to the next challenge which is the Six Nations, a different challenge and a bigger challenge from where I sit.
"He's one of a number of players where it's going to be exciting to see how they go."
How big a blow is it for Christ Tshiunza's development, testing positive before the tournament?
"He is one for the future. He is in the squad at the moment and had a couple of Tests where he has come off the bench and done very well.
"I am really disappointed for him as an individual, Covid can crop up at any stage. Hopefully he can train with us next week and show us what he can do in this particular squad.
"He has got a big future, he is a fantastic athlete, 19 and he is only going to get bigger and serve Wales for a long time hopefully.
"That is not only in one position hopefully. He can play second-row and six."
What extra tasks have you handed Adam Beard now he's vice-captain?
"He has been given quite a few tasks over the last 18 months. He wasn't selected in the 2020 autumn series and was asked to go and work on different parts of his game.
"He has done that, ticked those boxes and been selected again and delivered throughout the Six Nations for all the coaching staff. It is not all about me, it's what he is doing for Gethin Jenkins in defence, Jon Humphreys in the set-piece and Stephen in the attack and the breakdown with Gareth Williams.
"He has shown a lot of maturity and the way he took non-selection shows character and at this level of the game character is everything. He has played well enough to go on the Lions tours and done very well.
"He is going to do a job in supporting Dan and I am looking forward to how that partnership grows and as individuals how they cope with those responsibilities."
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