Wales captain Ken Owens has mirrored on a “hugely emotional time” for Welsh rugby forward of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations conflict in opposition to Italy in Rome.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed on Thursday {that a} risk of attainable participant strike motion earlier than the Six Nations appointment with England final month triggered a big cut up and stress inside his squad.
A crushing contractual and monetary backdrop has engulfed Welsh regional rugby, with all 4 skilled groups – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – dealing with main funding cuts resulting in vastly-reduced contract presents for a lot of gamers whose offers expire on the finish of this season, and a participant exodus seems inevitable.
Along with thorny topics like Wales’ former 60-cap nationwide choice rule and fixed-variable contracts, off-field issues led to the prospect of a strike earlier than England’s Cardiff go to.
Although a strike was averted and the England sport went forward as scheduled, with Steve Borthwick’s crew successful 20-10, the entire saga left its mark.
Owens stated: “In those two weeks, there was high emotion and a lot of different opinions, which is good.
“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.
“There has been a lot going on off the field, which has been tough to deal with at times. It is what it is, and we have to get on with things.”
Wales are coming off the again of successive Six Nations defeats in opposition to Ireland, Scotland and England, elevating the spectre of a primary Six Nations wood spoon since 2003.
Italy are additionally with no win on this season’s event and the stakes are excessive at Stadio Olimpico.
“It is going to take time to get that consistency in everything we are trying to do,” Owens added.
“I am totally confident we are on the right track, we are tight as a group and we are going to keep building.
“You do get caught in the goldfish bowl. 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.
“The challenge for us is to stay disciplined within our game-plan and what we are trying to do, and not get frantic.
“We are all proud Welshmen, we put the shirt on to get results and make the country proud.
“It has been tough over the last couple of weeks because we have not been accurate and consistent enough.”
