The meeting, also attended by Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis, gave the First Minister an opportunity to welcome Warren to Wales and let the holders of Wales’s top jobs discuss the history of the game in Wales, plans for the future and how important it is that young people have the opportunity to get out, get active and get involved in grass roots rugby.
WRU Audio Special: Listen to part of the meeting between the holders of Wales’s top jobs
“I’m glad I could get the opportunity to give Warren my personal welcome to Wales and impart the history of the game in Wales and discuss why we’ve had the golden periods and then the periods when we haven’t prospered.
“It also gave us a chance to discuss how sport, healthy lifestyle and the profile of Wales in the world can fit into the wider agenda of Welsh rugby and how important it is that young people have role models to look up to,” said First Minister Rhodri Morgan.
Warren Gatland said: “It’s an honour to be here today, the First Minister is obviously a big fan of the game and I respect that. His in-depth knowledge of the game, culture and the history of the game in Wales is very important to me.”
But Warren now has his sights firmly set on the RBs Six Nations, he continued: “Facilities here in Wales are some of the best in the world. There’s definitely a measured expectation about the first game of the Six Nations against England but I feel that so long as we believe in ourselves, we can go over the bridge and get a result.”
The man with the direct responsibility for safeguarding the future of our national game is WRU boss Lewis and he say his relationship with the First Minister is vital to him achieving his aims.
“The partnership we have with the Welsh Assembly government and the First Minister is a particularly special one and there are many areas – the ‘Health Challenge Wales’ campaign and Junior World Championship 2008 partnership being two excellent examples – where we can and should be synchronising strategies for the good of the country and Welsh rugby,” said Lewis.
“Our two organisations share many of the same values, we are both striving for the best and that’s why it’s a pleasure for Warren and I to have been here today.”
The First Minister added: “I was riveted by Warren’s choice of squad, he has a very focused view of where he wants to go with the squad. It’s all about getting the right blend of experience and youth, and I’m looking forward to his starting XV for that first match.”