Wales have conquered European rugby for a second time in three seasons with their Guinness Six Nations title and Triple Crown triumphs.
It represents early success during his reign for head coach Wayne Pivac, who has overcome plenty of bumps in the road since taking over in November 2019.
Here, the PA news agency looks at Wales’ eventful journey and key moments along the way.
Were Wales expected to be in this position?
Pivac faced a difficult job after Gatland?
How has Pivac managed to turn things around?
.@Sheedy95 ? ❝For me to learn from someone like Biggs, who has had 90 plus caps, is great. I can really see why he’s at the top of the game in world rugby❞
— Welsh Rugby Union ? (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 17, 2021
The New Zealander experimented in selection during Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup campaign and, while results were not great, Pivac blooded the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit, Callum Sheedy and James Botham at international level. Rees-Zammit and Sheedy, especially, have enjoyed memorable Six Nations campaigns, while Pivac also deserves enormous credit for two big calls – switching George North from wing, where the vast majority of his Test career had unfolded, to centre and appointing former Wales prop Gethin Jenkins as defence coach.
Have newcomers made an impact?
What is the big picture for Wales?
Warren Gatland at @Twickenhamstad ?
Who’s he watching? ?#LionsWatch pic.twitter.com/T11NcDDoJK
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) March 13, 2021
Six Nations title and Triple Crown successes are huge early achievements for Pivac, his coaching staff and players. Pivac, though, has regularly stressed that everything is geared towards the 2023 World Cup in France. The best part of 30 months out from rugby union’s global spectacular, there can be little doubt that Wales are firmly on the right track, with trophies in the cabinet, confidence high and momentum well and truly established. A scheduled summer tour of Argentina is next, when Pivac will undoubtedly look to further expand his playing crop, while the British and Irish Lions’ summer series against South Africa looks likely to feature several Wales stars.
