Wales played their Autumn Nations Cup campaign at Parc y Scarlets but have returned to Cardiff for the Six Nations. Even though there will be no supporters present at the Principality Stadium Pivac is adamant being back at the home of Welsh rugby will provide a big boost for the players.
“Just walking onto the park on Wednesday, we had a training session there, and there was a lift in the boys just being in the home changing room again after so much time away,” said Pivac.
“There were smiles on faces, they were happy to be back there. The kickers are back down there again today and we’ll have the captain’s run tomorrow.
“We’re very much looking forward to getting back into the changing room and into the stadium. We know we have to tighten up, be more disciplined and not give them so many easy in-roads into our territory, which presents them with opportunities to score points.
“We’ve got to be disciplined and make sure the territory stats, in particular, are shared evenly.” Pivac has named a very experienced side for Sunday’s test match with Dan Lydiate returning to the starting XV after a two year absence, while Hallam Amos has also been handed a rare start.
Wales prioritised building strength in depth last autumn but Pivac insists this Six Nations is all about results. “We always look to critique and improve the performances, which slightly improved throughout the autumn,” said Pivac.
“We need to keep building on how we finished that campaign and be happy with our performances. Ultimately, at the end of the day, sometimes the result doesn’t go your way when you give a good performance.
“We can handle that but it’s when you don’t perform and don’t get a result, that’s really disappointing. In round one, obviously we’re after the result and a good performance.
“A good performance will get that result. We’ll take it week by week and try to build on each performance.
“Getting off to a good start and Ireland is the big focus.”
