How the Wales team changed after that Georgia disaster

It's hard to believe just 11 months ago Wales were embarrassed on their own patch by Georgia, a result which triggered major change at the Welsh Rugby Union.

There have been some real low points in the history of Welsh rugby but this was Wales' nadir in recent years, even worse than the home defeat to Italy in March 2022. That was it as far as the WRU were concerned who dispensed with the services of then head coach Wayne Pivac following the conclusion of their November campaign, and turned their attention to a more familiar face to solve their problems.

It was Warren Gatland who was tasked for the second time with transforming Wales from also rans to genuine contenders on the world stage. When Gatland originally left the Wales job at the conclusion of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan he was quite candid in saying how "it would break my heart if Wales went back to the doldrums".

Unfortunately, barring a Six Nations title in 2021, that's exactly where Wales ended up at the conclusion of Pivac's time in charge. But after a disappointing Six Nations campaign Gatland has defied the odds once more by successfully negotiating a World Cup pool which includes Australia, Fiji, Portugal and Georgia to reach the last eight.

Wales need a point against Georgia in Nantes this Saturday to finish top of Pool C and secure a quarter-final clash against either Argentina or Japan in Marseille. So what are the main differences between Wales 11 months on, and the side which succumbed 13-12 to the Lelos at the Principality Stadium last November?

Pivac didn't name his full-strength side 11 months ago but on paper there was still plenty of individual quality in Wales' matchday squad. Seven of the squad which is due to face the same opposition on Saturday were involved, while Ospreys pair Adam Beard and Jac Morgan along with Gloucester speedster Louis Rees-Zammit were also on the field.

Despite such a sombre defeat current co-captain Morgan was still the best player on the pitch, crossing for two tries in a game Wales should have won comfortably after leading 12-3 at the break only to collapse spectacularly during the second half, especially after Pivac had emptied his replacements' bench.

There was always a vulnerability about Wales under Pivac, and while there were moments of attacking flair, they imploded under pressure far too regularly. Whenever Wales were put on the back foot they coughed up cheap penalties and compounded errors.

The remnants of this is still evident in this current Wales squad who very nearly surrendered a commanding lead against Fiji in their World Cup opener only to hold firm late on. There is one word more than any other which sums up the biggest difference between the Wales of 2022 and the Wales of today; clarity.

Throughout the Pivac era Wales seemed to be stuck between trying to play a looser, expansive brand of rugby to the tighter version more akin to the first Gatland era. There was far too much separation in both on and off the ball with the defence under Gethin Jenkins perhaps a little too complex.

One of Shaun Edwards' biggest strengths as a coach was he made it simple for the players to understand and execute his defensive structures which is not an easy thing to do. Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies recently admitted he didn't like the way Wales defended under Pivac and Jenkins with the return of Gatland improving matters for him. Join WalesOnline Rugby's new WhatsApp Channel here

Under new defence coach Mike Forshaw Wales have finally found their feet in defence again, and are now a side comfortable soaking up pressure without the ball which has contributed to them becoming a very difficult side to beat. If teams are going to overcome Wales they are going to have to do it the hard way.

Listen to the latest Welsh rugby podcast here:

In last November's defeat the eastern Europeans annihilated Wales at scrum time during the second half after Pivac had brought on the replacement front-row of Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts and Sam Wainwright. Gatland has shored up Wales' set-piece with first- choice props Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis scrummaging well so far, while Georgia will find replacements Nicky Smith and Henry Thomas far tougher nuts to crack.

Gatland has had four months of uninterrupted access to this Wales side, which to be fair is far longer than Pivac ever had, which has allowed the coaches to work in more detail on the finer points of the game. Wales are also a far more potent attacking threat than they were last November with Saracens star Nick Tompkins arguably the key man. Read my weekly column in our rugby newsletter

Tompkins has formed an effective centre partnership with George North which sliced both Fiji and Australia to shreds at times. Wales are a pragmatic side, who don't take many risks, but when they do put width on the ball they are clever and accurate about it while their kicking game is also extremely effective.

Georgia put in their best performance of the competition to date in the narrow defeat to Fiji last weekend with the physicality of their pack unsettling the Pacific Islanders. They have also created many try-scoring opportunities in all three of their World Cup games to date but have been let down by their accuracy and basic skill levels.

Wales will be tested physically on Saturday but the Lelos are unlikely to be able to break down their defence while there is far more cohesion and confidence in Gatland's side than there ever was under Pivac last November.

If Wales play a simple game, win the territory through their kicking game and are clinical they'll beat Georgia with something to spare on Saturday.

The Wales team that lost to Georgia in November

Wales: Louis Rees-Zammit; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Rhys Priestland, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (capt), Josh Macleod.

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Rhodri Jones, Sam Wainwright, Dafydd Jenkins, Taulup Faletau, Dane Blacker, Sam Costelow, Leigh Halfpenny.

The Wales team that plays Georgia on Saturday

Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Louis Rees Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Dewi Lake (capt), 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Dafydd Jenkins, 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Christ Tshiunza, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Mason Grady