Grand Slam hero Williams pays tribute to coaching duo
Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards taste instant success
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Saturday, 15, Mar 2008 09:00
Shane Williams admitted that one of the reasons Wales won the Grand Slam is because they are "scared senseless" of assistant coach Shaun Edwards.
Wales beat France 29-12 at the Millennium Stadium today to secure their second RBS Six Nations Grand Slam in the space of four years. Wales have looked a much quicker and stronger side in this year's championship and new coaching duo of Warren Gatland and Edwards have been credited for the change.
"I found it very difficult to get into the game, it was so tight," said Williams. "Our defence was awesome, so was France's, and the try was one in a million probably.
"It just goes to show how hard we have worked since the World Cup, with the effort in training. It is probably the fact that everyone is scared senseless of Shaun Edwards! The effort today was amazing."
Gatland also paid tribute to the conditioning of his players, especially the forwards who only conceded a remarkable two tries in the whole tournament.
The Welsh coach felt his players deserve the plaudits that will come their way, but emphasised they have bigger challenges ahead of them.
"A lot of those players have had it pretty tough for the last six or 12 months. When they get the reward, they deserve the recognition," said Gatland.
"We've won the Grand Slam but you don't want to stop there, you've got to test yourself against the best teams in the world and South Africa are the number one side in the world at the moment."