Rhys Webb: Wales Are Finally Pointing in the Right Direction

I was lucky enough to both play with Steve and be coached by him, and the first thing I’d say is: what a man. He’s honest, direct, straight to the point. There’s no fluff, no confusion – you always know where you stand. His man-management is outstanding and you can already see that rubbing off on this group.

He’s spent real time in the regions, sitting down with the new boys and reconnecting with the older heads, getting to know them properly as people, not just players. He’s also built strong relationships with the coaches and S&C staff, which is vital. When everyone is aligned – coaches, staff, players – that’s when you get a proper high-performance environment. Add to that a change in schedule and routine, and you’ve got a really positive mindset shift that helps freshen things up even more.

Behind the scenes, the balance of the coaching team looks spot on. “Jockey” is an attacking genius who loves to play with ambition. You can see he’s encouraging the boys to go out, express themselves and really attack. Then you’ve got Danny up front, using all his experience to run the show around the set piece, contact area and physicality. That blend of sharp minds in defence, attack and up front is exactly what you want.

Now, the obvious question: results. Yes, we’ve only won one game – and that was tight – but if you look a bit deeper, there are genuine signs of progress. The attacking shape is much improved. We’re not just kicking aimlessly or going side to side; we’re actually creating opportunities and, importantly, we’re scoring tries. For a team rebuilding, that matters.

You also have to remember what these games are really about. They’re building blocks for the Six Nations. A chance to look at players, give them proper exposure at Test level and let them make mistakes now so they’re in a better place when the big Championship rolls around. It’s not always pretty, but it’s necessary.

This isn’t a quick fix. We’ve had the reset – now we need patience. The public need patience too. Enjoy the attacking shape, enjoy seeing this new style take form, and understand that this is a journey aimed at 2031 and building towards that Rugby World Cup.

If there’s one clear work-on for me, it’s game management. At times we’ve overplayed from the wrong areas of the pitch, trying to run when we should be turning teams, building pressure and playing the territory game. That last decision before you kick, pass or carry – that’s where games are won and lost at Test level. The good news is that comes with time together, clarity of roles and, crucially, experience in the key decision-making positions.

One more game to go: the world champions in Cardiff. For me, it’s simple – there is nothing to lose. Go out there, be brave, be physical and have a crack. The crowd will be right behind them if they see intent and effort.

On the individual side, it’s been brilliant to see youngsters like Harri Deaves and Morgan Morse get the recognition they deserve after impressing for their regions. These boys have earned their shot. With someone like Tommy Reffell back fit and a nailed-on pick for the Six Nations, it’s exciting to see that next wave coming through, learning off him and adding genuine depth to the Welsh back row. That competition for jerseys drives standards up across the board.

And then there’s Louis Rees-Zammit. How good is it to see him back in a Wales shirt? Every team in the world wants an X-factor player, and he’s exactly that. When he gets the ball, you can feel the energy in the stadium change – defenders sit up, fans lean forward, everyone senses something might happen.

You can already see that the more he plays now, the sharper he’s getting. His timing, his confidence, his feel for the game – it’s all coming back quickly. Give him consistent minutes, keep giving him licence to back his instincts, and he’s going to be a nightmare for defences in the Six Nations. Top try-scorer? I wouldn’t bet against him. Defences have been warned.

So yes, the win column doesn’t look amazing right now. But performance-wise, there are foundations being laid: better shape, clearer identity, young players stepping up, experienced heads driving standards and genuine X-factor out wide.

If Wales can tighten up their game management, keep backing this attacking mindset and stay patient with the long-term plan, they’ll head into the Six Nations – and towards 2031 – in a far stronger position than the bare results suggest. From where I’m sitting, this feels like the start of something – not the finished product, but definitely a team on the right path.