Gatland amazed by media spotlight

Gatland is familiarising himself with the Welsh rugby culture

New Wales coach Warren Gatland says he has been surprised by the level of media interest his first week in charge has attracted.

The 44-year-old revealed the scrutiny has been far greater than anything he has ever experienced in his native New Zealand, another hot-bed of rugby.

"I suppose I'll just have to come to terms with the level of interest and media interest in the game," he said.

"It has surprised me, but it's part of my role in dealing with that."

He added: "I think it's the proximity of everything that intensifies the interest. Yesterday I was in Llanelli and an hour later I was speaking to the people in Newport.

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"Everything is very, very close. In New Zealand you've got two long islands and places aren't as easy to get to. You've got to get in a plane if you want to go to other regions.

"So the advantage I've discovered in my first week in Wales is the proximity - getting to places quickly and getting people together quickly.

"I think that's a huge advantage going forward. The other side of that is that you're in a real cocoon or fish bowl. That's something I've got to come to terms with."

Gatland has been introducing himself to Wales' four regional coaches this week, as well as getting to know some of the sport's "stakeholders".

But his first major task is to mould his backroom staff, something he hopes to accomplish before Christmas.

Shaun Edwards has been linked with the defence coach role

Many have predicted a complete break from Gareth Jenkins' ill-fated regime, with London Wasps coach Shaun Edwards hotly tipped to be one of a number of new faces.

But the Welsh Rugby Union is keen to ensure a certain amount of continuity remains, giving reason for assistant coach Nigel Davies, defence coach Rowland Phillips, kicking coach Neil Jenkins and forwards coach Robin McBryde to beleive they still have futures with Wales.

Gatland says he will be meeting them all in the coming days without any preconceived opinions and wants to tap into their knowledge of the current Wales players.

"I think there are a few [of the coaches] that will be kept on. I haven't made any final decisions," Gatland told BBC Radio Wales' Scrum V programme.

"Until I've spoken to everybody and confirmed what I'm going to do going forward it's unfair on them to discuss too much more in the media.

We'll have to put a structure and game plan in place as quickly as we can Wales coach Warren Gatland

"They deserve an opportunity to speak to me. I'm talking to as many people as I can to make my own assessments."

Time is of the essence for Gatland, though. His first match in charge - a daunting trip to face England at Twickenham - is looming large on the horizon.

His preparation time with the players for the Six Nations opener on 2 February will be a mere two weeks, hence Gatland's propensity in all his interviews since taking over to stress the need for hard work.

"It's such a short time before the Six Nations when I'll be thrown into the lion's den," said Gatland, who wants to build his reign on the principle of an honest work ethic.

"We'll look to name a squad sometime in mid January and then we'll have about two weeks before facing England in Twickenham on 2 February.

"It's not the easiest encounter for your first game in charge but obviously it's something I'm going to be looking forward to.

"We're going to have to make the most of the couple of weeks together.

"It's going to be about me getting to know the players, them getting to know me. We'll have to put a structure and game plan in place as quickly as we can.

"The players and management are going to have to work really hard in that couple of weeks prior to England and we're going to have to work incredibly hard during the rest of the Six Nations as well."