Warren Gatland fires warning to Wales' Six Nations rivals after winless 2024 season - 'Write us off at your peril'

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Wales did not win a match in 2024 and head into the upcoming Six Nations as major underdogs. Warren Gatland, a four-time winner of the tournament with Wales, remains at the helm, and he has taken a defiant tone ahead of an opening clash with France in Paris. The New Zealander insisted Wales should not be written off, claiming the lack of any pressure or expectation could prove beneficial.

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Warren Gatland has warned Wales' Six Nations rivals not to take them lightly ahead of this year's tournament.

Wales are expected to struggle again after a difficult 2024, which included a record run of 12 successive Test defeats.

But Gatland claimed the lack of any expectation on his players could prove to be an advantage as they prepare for their first match against France in Paris on January 31.

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"For us, the challenge was that after the World Cup we lost 18 players and so much experience," Gatland said at the Six Nations media launch in Rome.

"You pick youngsters and it takes a little bit of time. Some of the youngsters, seeing them develop is going to be a real positive.

"We are in a nice position because there is no expectation. People are writing us off.

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"And I said the same thing before the World Cup [Wales were quarter-finalists]. A lot of people were saying that we wouldn’t even get out of our group.

"The message that time was you write us off at your peril, and things haven’t changed there.

"This is such a tough tournament to win. It is so hard.

"When you look back, and you have won a Six Nations or a Grand Slam, there will be a couple of decisions that have gone your way, the bounce of the ball, or you’ve had some luck in the tournament."

Following a challenging trip to Paris to face France in their opener, Wales then meet Italy in Rome, before hosting Ireland, travelling to Scotland and clashing with England at the Millennium Stadium.

And Gatland stressed the importance of starting well.

"It is definitely a tournament of momentum and building on confidence," he added. "You win a couple of games early on, and you build on that, and then you have got a chance of doing exceptionally well.

"It is the strongest that I’ve ever seen the Six Nations in terms of the quality of players and the quality of the teams.

"I can remember going back a long time when everyone would just be talking about France and England at the beginning of a Five Nations or a Six Nations tournament and who was going to win out of them. The others were sort of trying to fight for the scraps.

"People are writing us off, and I said it before the World Cup as well, you write us off at your peril.

"We have just got to create some confidence and self-belief within us, within our group, and almost like a siege mentality in terms of going to Paris."

Itoje: 'Not a team we can't beat'

Meanwhile, England's Maro Itoje is in a bullish mood ahead of his side's Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.

The 30-year-old, who has replaced Jamie George as captain, insisted England do not fear any opponent.

"If we play our stuff, if we are the team we believe we can be, we can win," he told BBC Sport. "There is not a team in this tournament that we can't beat.

"We know Ireland are a great team and the Aviva is a great place to play.

"It is a huge game to sink our teeth into and get excited about. I can't wait. These are the challenges that bring out the best out of myself and the team."

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On taking the captaincy, Itoje added: "Every leader has to be authentic.

"The most powerful way is to lead through your actions. People hear your voice, but they really follow what you do and how you behave. That is definitely the manner in which I would like to lead.

"I also understand the importance of communicating, making sure you can get your message across and can motivate your team, so I will endeavour to do that as well."

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