Due to Covid-19, this year’s launch was held virtually instead of in its traditional London venue with coaches and captains from all six countries attending via conference call.
Pivac saw his squad members Josh Macleod (ankle), Cory Hill (hamstring), Wyn Jones (neck) and Tomos Williams (shoulder) suffer injuries when the Scarlets were beaten by Cardiff Blues.
But all four players are in camp with Wales at their Vale of Glamorgan base while captain Alun Wyn Jones is training after recovering fully from a knee problem.
Pivac said: “They’re all pretty good. They’re all partaking in some shape or form in training. Tomos, who probably looked worst with the knock, is probably looking the best. He’s in full training now.
“Wyn is back training today. Cory is doing rehab on a slight hamstring injury – he came off as a precaution. There is hope he’ll take part in full training in the not-too-distant future.
“So they’re all pretty much looking very good. Nobody new has been called into the squad.”
Alun Wyn Jones during training with Wales
I’ve been running for two or three weeks and progressed really well. I’m back in training so waiting for selection
The 2020 Six Nations was hit by coronavirus and the pandemic is unfortunately still continuing as we head into the 2021 tournament.
But there is good news on captain Jones who suffered a knee injury in the Autumn Nations Cup win over Italy on December 5.
“I’ve been running for two or three weeks and progressed really well,” said Jones. “I’m back in training so waiting for selection.”
On the prospect of the upcoming tournament, Pivac added: “It’s different in a lot of ways. If you look back to before the pandemic, there are the crowds, the whole matchday experience and the lift that gives to the players and everyone concerned really.
“But it’s certainly not going to take away from the event. We’ve got another Six Nations to look forward to. For us within the Welsh camp it’s one we’re looking forward to because we want to be better than we were last year, clearly. We need to.
“Our focus has been on improving our defence and making sure we perform throughout 80 minutes in this competition.
Alongside Jones, Pivac also welcomed the return from injury of hooker Ken Owens and flanker Josh Navidi.
Wayne Pivac during training with Wales
Our focus has been on improving our defence and making sure we perform throughout 80 minutes in this competition
“Those players have played a big role in Welsh performances in the past and are very experienced players,” he added.
“What we did in the autumn when those players were out was give other players opportunities. We’ve built some depth. We have those guys to call on if we pick up injuries and they’re more experienced having gone through that process.
“We’re in a good space now and we need to launch from here and start putting those performances on the park over 80 minutes.”
On Navidi in particular, Pivac added: “He came back and played against England in the last Six Nations at Twickenham. He’d been out for a number of weeks and we suspected he’d only last 50 or 60 minutes in that one.
“He was playing so well and he ended up playing the 80 minutes. He’s an extraordinary player. Not many people can do that but he’s one that has a huge engine and he can drive himself through that pain barrier that players have to go through.
“It’s great to have him back, albeit with half a game under his belt. He’s doing a lot of work in training, as is Ken, and others that have been out of the game for a bit.”
