WAL Eve of match (v GEO): defence coach Forshaw, Liam Williams, Rowlands

October 06, 2023
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Ultimate Rugby

Comments from Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw on Friday ahead of their Pool C match against Georgia at Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.

Mike Forshaw, defence coach

On the mood in the squad:

“We had the weekend off last week, bit of a recharge, so full focused on playing against a really tough team. I expect physicality from Georgia. They’ve always been known for having a really good pack of forwards, they’ve got some really dangerous backs. They’re team that are growing and we have to give them the respect they deserve and be at our best to get what we want out of the game tomorrow.”

On being tough to beat:

“This group’s been pretty tough. We’ve gone about our business. I don’t think we got the credit we deserve for the Fiji result, I think they [other people] focus on the other things. It’s very important that we respect the opposition in this group. Portugal ran us close and we expect to be challenged tomorrow.”

On Georgia's defence against Fiji:

"I was very impressed. They filled the field very well. They're coached by Joe Worsley who at Wasps was a very good defensive player, very good coach. We expect them to be very tough to break down. It is going to be a very physical game and we expect Georgia to have a very enthusiastic defence."

On if already looking at quarter-final opponents:

"We are focussed on tomorrow. Whoever comes next we will prepare exactly the same whether it's Argentina or Japan. Two very proud nations. In the short term tomorrow is the big goal for us. We are expecting a ferocious 80 minutes in a very hot stadium."

Liam Williams, full-back

On Wales being tough to beat:

"We are three out of three. We have been a tough team to beat and hopefully we'll do that again tomorrow."

On playing against Georgia:

"It won't be an easy win. They have been a tough team during this campaign and we'll be expecting another tough game tomorrow."

Will Rowlands, second-row

On enjoying his taste of French rugby culture ahead of a move to Racing 92:

“Very much so. It’s been an incredible month out here, I’ve loved the four cities we’ve been to. Great support, great atmosphere everywhere and I’m very excited to continue to journey. My French [learning] is on the go. I used to speak ok French when I was at school so it’s rusty but the basics are there.”

On proving Welsh rugby is not dead:

"I don't want to reflect too much on the past but there have been some up and downs in the last few years. But everyone in this team were confident that we are a better team than we've shown and we wanted to come this World Cup and keep getting better and deliver performances that we can be proud of and the Welsh public can be proud of.

"We are gradually getting towards that and tomorrow hopefully is another step forward."