These are the rugby stories making headlines in Wales and further afield on Friday, March 15.

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These are your rugby headlines on Friday, March 17.

Warren Gatland says that his Wales team are a long way off where they need to be as his first Six Nations back in charge comes to a close.

Its been a testing tournament for Wales, with three defeats from four matches overshadowed by the threat of strike action as the uncertainty over contracts for next season and beyond has come to a head.

Earlier in the tournament, Gatland had admitted that his side were not nailing the big moments that you tend to do when winning is little more than a habit. Back in 2019, that was the case - with a lengthy winning run taking them to a Grand Slam, number one in the world and another run to a World Cup semi-final.

READ MORE:Welsh rugby players futures unconfirmed almost a month after Wales v England strike called off

That run was defined by smart, streetwise performances by Wales where they always did just enough to win. However, in this years Six Nations, those same big moments havent fallen their way - be it a lost lineout in an attacking position or a fluffed 22 entry.

And when asked how far he felt his side were away from consistently being able to nail those big moments in games, Gatland was candid in his assessment.

A long way, at the moment, he said ahead of the clash with France. Yeah, weve got a lot of work to do in terms of that.

There are a lot of areas. We need to be in better shape physically as a group. That often fixes up a couple of those issues. You get a bit more clarity, you get set and into position.

Weve been working hard but weve definitely seen in a few training sessions where weve pushed them very hard physically and the accuracy went towards the end because we were blowing and fatigued. We werent accurate from a skill perspective and werent making the right decisions.

Thats definitely a huge focus for us. You build confidence from that which weve done in the past. Other teams used to talk about how tough we were mentally and physically.

If you look at that documentary where Rassie Erasmus talks about that World Cup semi-final and how tough the Welsh boys are and wont go away. Thatll be a huge focus for us building over the next couple of months.

Weve got some skill work to do in terms of our passing and staying squarer and nailing those moments under pressure. Weve missed some key lineouts, a ball lost at the back of a scrum, some passes that should have been made in the 22, weve probably not been accurate at some of the breakdowns in terms of making sure there is no separation with acceleration into contact.

Weve got a long way to go but weve been working hard on these areas each week. Youve got to prioritise and focus on specific things because you cant cover off everything. Weve been trying to fix certain things up and doing a reasonable job of focusing on two or three things each week.

Who will win France v Wales?Have your say here

In trying to land upon the right combinations, Gatland has made 26 changes between matches across the tournament. Those changes have seen young players like Joe Hawkins, Mason Grady and Christ Tshiunza given game-time, only to not feature in the final match in Paris.

With their Six Nations races run, Gatland admitted that the likes of Hawkins, Grady and Tshiunza still have a fair way to go ahead of the World Cup in France later this year.

Absolutely, he said. They would have learned a huge amount already. Thats why we gave those guys a chance and a second chance.

Some of them do have stuff they need to do and there is quite a lot of work still to do. Were confident well get the in depth detail on that stuff during that World Cup preparation.

Gatland, going up against his former assistant Shaun Edwards for the first time, is more than aware of the threats of France - saying he can easily recognise the hallmarks of the man who ran his defence for over a decade.

I can see that, yes, Gatland said when asked about Edwards fingerprints. By the number of not just the loose forwards, but the number of backs who get in and look to jackal and turn the ball over.

Thats definitely a trait. You can see that particularly when other teams are close to their line that they work hard to stop other teams from scoring. Theyre well organised defensively so I can definitely see the impact theyve had on the French defence.

Gatland is also insistent that this current group of Welsh players has gone well against the French in recent years.

Weve also spoken in the group that there are a lot of our players who have had a lot of success against France, he said. Weve got a good record in the last number of years you can go back to the 100-minute game, they probably should have won in 2021, and last year was close as well.

There is no lack of confidence and self-belief were capable of doing it, but its about being accurate. We know were up against the No. 2 team in the world who are going to be tough to beat at home.

Hannah Jones believes Wales can close the gap on their Six Nations rivals.

The TikTok Womens Six Nations kicks off on March 25, with Wales now boasting 25 players on full-time professional contracts. Captain Jones feels there is scope to make up ground on top sides England and France when the competition gets under way.

With the game growing and every nation bringing in contracts, its about who trains the hardest and who has the best skills, Jones said at the Womens Six Nations launch in London. You go into the matches with a winning mindset, but theres definitely a chance this year. Were looking to build on performances from last year and close that gap, England have picked up a few knocks, we can go looking to be confident.

Gordon DArcy says Ireland skipper Johnny Sextons rugby IQ is off the charts and says a switch flicks every time he crosses the white line.

Sexton has the chance to become Irelands record points scorer on Saturday, with the fly-half needing just one successful kick at the posts to surpass Ronan OGaras old record of 557 points.

On the eve of Sextons last Six Nations appearance, DArcy says there are not many players like him.

A couple of players have had it down the years,says DArcy. Theres a switch they flick when they cross the white line. He definitely has it. It didnt use to matter if you were going for dinner with him that night, with your wives and partners, or if you were someone he couldnt stand. Everybody was equal within the white lines.

He does things at the right time and his rugby IQ is off the charts. That is something that sets him apart from most people I know in rugby. Theyll be looking for others to tell them what they should do next. Sexton has already thought about it and told you where to be. To have that is just phenomenal and to be still doing it at this age just shows the importance of rugby IQ in the modern game.

Mike Phillips says Wales should never have brought Gatland back and warns senior stars have to stand aside

Welsh rugby players futures unconfirmed almost a month after Wales v England strike called off

Tonights rugby news as star shuts out negativity and coach fires out warning by saying Wales have tormented France

Warren Gatland Q&A: Eight Wales stars could make final Six Nations outing and why Ive made changes

The verdict on Wales team to play France, why Gatland has gone back to the old guard and Rees-Zammits exciting new role

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