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Head coach Warren Gatland says he would like to change the negative narrative surrounding Welsh rugby as the national side prepare for the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n This comes amid the backdrop of the major financial problems of the Welsh game.<\/span><\/p>\n “There hasn’t been a lot of positivity about rugby in Wales,” said Gatland.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’d like to change the narrative and get as much positivity about there as possible. That has a huge psychological effect on the players in terms of trying to send those messages.”<\/span><\/p>\n Gatland returned to Welsh rugby for a second stint in charge ahead of the 2023 Six Nations after his first period between 2008 and 2019 saw Wales claim three Grand Slams and reach two World Cup semi-finals.<\/span><\/p>\n The New Zealander has come back to see Wales achieve poor results on the field and endure turmoil off it, even including the national squad threatening to strike before the Six Nations game against England in February. That threat was averted.<\/span><\/p>\n The 47-man World Cup training squad have now officially gathered, with Gatland determined to lift the spirits within Welsh rugby as he prepares to take them in camps in Switzerland and Turkey.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve told the players, as a nation, we should be proud of how we’ve punched above our weight in the past,” said Gatland.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’re the smallest nation in terms of tier one nations. If you look at our economy, it’s small compared to Scotland, Ireland and England. <\/span><\/p>\n “We don’t have major industries. We don’t have our own bank. When you look at things, we should be proud of what we’ve done in the past, how hard these guys are working and how much success we’ve had. <\/span><\/p>\n “There’s a lot of expectation, but we’re punched above our weight in the past.”<\/span><\/p>\n