AFTER coming close against the southern hemisphere so often, it’s understandable that the Wales management feel they’ve got unfinished business.

Frequently after losses to the Springboks and Wallabies, and on the odd occasion after taking on the All Blacks, we have heard about the small details making the biggest of differences on the scoreboard.

Wales feel that they are on the cusp of cracking it, so it’s logical that those involved want to stick around to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Yet it’s reaching the stage where questions have to be asked about whether an injection of fresh blood is need to make that final step and finish the job, rather like Jos Buttler coming in to up the run rate in a one-day international after James Taylor has laid the foundations.

Continuity can be a good thing but routine can be perilous.

After seven seasons in the Leicester front row, experienced Newport Gwent Dragons prop Boris Stankovich is stating from a position of strength when he says, “the most dangerous phrase in English rugby is ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’”.

That applies with Wales and although they are tinkering with the formula that has brought great success in Europe, perhaps an injection of something new is required.

It doesn’t need to be as drastic as over the border, where England have reaped the rewards of sweeping changes with Eddie Jones at the helm with an entirely new coaching team.

There is a fascinating case study on Sir Alex Ferguson from 2013 by Harvard Business Review and head coach Warren Gatland shares many of the successful traits.

“I believe that the cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years, and then some change is needed,” said Fergie.

The New Zealander isn’t shy of introducing fresh blood, Warburton & Co for 2011, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Samson Lee the following World Cup cycle.

“We never allowed a bad training session. What you see in training manifests itself on the game field. So every training session was about quality,” said the Scot. Gatland’s players talk of a similar approach.

“Before I came to United, I told myself I wasn’t going to allow anyone to be stronger than I was. Your personality has to be bigger than theirs. That is vital,” say Ferguson on never ceding control.

Then in a section titled ‘Rely on the power of observation’ the Glaswegian talks about learning to delegate sessions to his assistants.

“My presence and ability to supervise were always there, and what you can pick up by watching is incredibly valuable. Once I stepped out of the bubble, I became more aware of a range of details, and my performance level jumped,” he said.

Gatland does this. Watching on from the sidelines and dipping in when he feels it is necessary.

But another feature of Ferguson’s reign at Old Trafford was that he frequently changed his backroom team, bringing in fresh ideas and new voices while retaining in charge of the operation.

Archie Knox, Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren, Jimmy Ryan, Carlos Queiroz, Walter Smith, Rene Meulensteen, Mike Phelan all operated as his right-hand man before moving on to new challenges, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.

Gatland’s team have all been in place since 2008. The only recent changes have been down the management list with Rhodri Bown taking over as head analyst and Paul Stridgeon joining the conditioning team.

There has been an ‘if it ain’t broke…’ approach and such loyalty is commendable, especially when the coaches won’t be short of offers.

But perhaps a fresh challenge could reinvigorate those members of the management team with new blood giving extra impetus to the squad.

Mike Ruddock was at the helm in 2005 but some believe much of the work for the Grand Slam was done by Steve Hansen and Scott Johnson.

The nature of international rugby is that it may not be the person doing the long-term planning that reaps the glory.

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CLOSE your eyes and Jason Strange could have had the Ebbw Vale crest on his coat rather than the Welsh Rugby Union emblem as he proudly talked to Sky Sports on the Ashton Gate pitch.

The former fly-half had just watched his Under-20s dismantle England on their own turf, meaning it will take the mother of all upsets by Italy on Friday evening to deny them a terrific Grand Slam.

Afterwards Strange, who has made no secret of the Six Nations being a stepping stone to the World Rugby U20 Championship, was swift to keep feet on the ground.

He said: "We will give the same message to the players next week as we did in the build up to England – look for small improvements and keep working hard."

It was exactly the same mantra as Strange used when Ebbw were cruising to titles in Division One East and the Swalec Championship.

Promotion followed but the script stayed the same last season when the Steelmen returned to the Principality Premiership: ‘We’re just working hard and looking to improve week to week as individuals and as a group’.

That Strange is enjoying success with the Under-20s is no surprise to those at Eugene Cross Park, who were gutted to see their coach leave but pleased for him as an individual.

Strange, who was also hugely influential at Ebbw Fawr Learning Community before leaving for the WRU, empowers players and is always quick to shift the praise onto them. He is straight down the line. Genuine. Affable. Attentive. Knowledgeable.

From the outside there is one question mark, something that you wondered about one of his predecessors and another excellent coach in Darren Edwards: does he have the hard edge needed to provide the stick as well as the carrot? Time will tell on that front.

Strange took over the reins from Byron Hayward, another talented coach who has made quite the impression since heading to the Scarlets, and like his fellow man of Gwent he will soon be touted for top jobs.

But for now he will be concentrating on the job in hand, namely dealing with Italy then taking his talented group to the World Championship in Manchester.

He won’t need telling that tough challenges lie ahead after they were drawn with Georgia, Ireland and New Zealand but with Strange at the helm one thing is sure, if they don’t match their Six Nations success it won’t be for a lack of effort.