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'It was a bit odd in the first day or two' - Ryan Elias on impact of new Wales players

By PA
LYON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 24: Ryan Elias of Wales looks on during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Wales and Australia at Parc Olympique on September 24, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Ryan Elias has praised Walesā€™ Six Nations newcomers and their impact on a squad preparing for Saturdayā€™s tournament opener against Scotland in Cardiff.

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Head coach Warren Gatlandā€™s 34-strong group contains just 18 players who were involved in a World Cup campaign that ended only last autumn.

The list of absentees reads like a Welsh rugby whoā€™s who, headlined by players such as Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe, Tomas Francis, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau.

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      Wales have a new skipper ā€“ their youngest since 1968 ā€“ in 21-year-old Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, while Cardiff quartet Cam Winnett, Evan Lloyd, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin are among five uncapped players.

      It represents a considerable reset on the World Cup road to Australia 2027, but experienced campaigner Elias has been enthused by preparations for Scotlandā€™s Principality Stadium visit.

      ā€œThere are a lot of young, new faces and they bring a lot of energy to the sessions. They want to learn,ā€ Wales hooker Elias said.

      ā€œTo be honest with you, it was a bit odd in the first day or two.

      ā€œYou are so used to seeing the old boys and experienced heads that have been there for years. I remember watching them growing up, people like Dan Biggar, who have been stalwarts for the country.

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      ā€œOther boys get the chance to ā€“ and have to ā€“ step up. It is very competitive in training.

      ā€œThere is a competitive and physical edge. These young lads are sharp, so you have to be on the ball.

      ā€œPeople might not be giving us much of a chance because there have been so many changes, but we are just concentrating on ourselves to put a performance in we can be proud of.ā€

      Head-to-Head

      Last 5 Meetings

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      Draws
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      Wins
      3
      Average Points scored
      21
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      First try wins
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      Home team wins
      60%

      Wales face successive trips to Twickenham and Dublin after hosting Scotland, which underlines the importance of a first game where recent history strongly favours Warren Gatlandā€™s team.

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      Scotland have suffered 11 successive defeats in Cardiff, comprising nine Six Nations encounters, a World Cup warm-up game and an autumn Test.

      And if Wales can continue that trend it would make an immediate statement not only to their rivals, but also the bookmakers predicting a fifth-place finish with only Italy below them.

      Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins said: ā€œWe always believe we can prove ourselves.

      ā€œI think most people have written us off already, there is no doubting that. It is not something we tend to worry about.

      ā€œIt is momentum isnā€™t it, the Six Nations? I always say with us that we generally get better as the tournament goes on, so the first two games are always massive for us.

      ā€œThere are quite a few new players involved in this group, and it will be the first time for them in terms of experiencing a Six Nations game.

      ā€œIt is a settled Scotland side and I am sure they will be fancying their chances, but weā€™ve just got to focus on ourselves.ā€

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