Wales celebrated a huge victory against England in the Six Nations championship on Saturday but head coach Warren Gatland is seeking more from his table-topping team.
Following the 21-13 win in Cardiff, their record 12th successive Test victory, Wales are now leading the Six Nations standings by two points and are on course for a grand slam should they win their final games against Scotland and Ireland.
Gatland, who will stand down after this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, has now urged his side to take another step forward after beating England.
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The Kiwi, 55, told the BBC: “The biggest challenge for us now is to not be happy with beating England and accepting where we are at the moment.
“The last year has been pretty good. To win 12 out of 12 and for the boys to create that record is something they thoroughly deserve and a special day for our players.
“It would be pretty special if we could win the championship in my final year with Wales and sign off like that.”
Gatland says the Welsh victory in Cardiff sets the team up nicely going into the World Cup countdown. “We want to build on this display,” he added.
Wales travel to Scotland on Saturday 9 March before finishing their Six Nations campaign at home against Ireland on Saturday 16 March.
Lawes out, Itoje to return?
England’s Six Nations chances were not only hit by the defeat against Wales but also by the news that Courtney Lawes has been ruled out of the rest of the championship because of a calf injury suffered in Cardiff.
Next up for England is a Twickenham clash against Italy on 9 March and head coach Eddie Jones has told Sky Sports that Maro Itoje could be fast-tracked back into the squad because of an injury crisis in the forwards.
Lock Itoje missed Saturday’s defeat having sustained ligament damage in the round two win against Ireland but he is making good progress Jones revealed.
With prop Mako Vunipola (ankle) and hooker Dylan Hartley (knee) also ruled out of the final two matches Jones said: “[Itoje] is coming along well. I might have to give him the hurry-up, because we’ve lost Courtney. We’ve lost three of our best forwards and we’ve got to be able to cope.”
After the Italy home match on Saturday 9 March England will then host Scotland at Twickenham on Sunday 17 March.
Six Nations results, fixtures and TV guide
Round one results
- France 19 Wales 24
- Scotland 33 Italy 20
- Ireland 20 England 32
Round two results
- Scotland 13 Ireland 22
- Italy 15 Wales 26
- England 44 France 8
Round three results
- France 27 Scotland 10
- Wales 21 England 13
- Italy 16 Ireland 26
Round four fixtures
- Saturday 9 March: Scotland vs. Wales (2.15pm, live on BBC and S4C); England vs. Italy (3pm, live on ITV)
- Sunday 10 March: Ireland vs. France (4.45pm, live on ITV)
Round five fixtures
- Saturday 16 March: Italy vs. France (12.30pm, live on ITV); Wales vs. Ireland (2.45pm, live on BBC and S4C)
- Sunday 17 March: England vs. Scotland (5pm, live on BBC)
