Gattygate shrouds real battleground

DONAL LENIHAN: Let’s get this one out of the way early, given that you are going to be subjected to a diatribe of Gattygate over the next five days. I promise not to refer to it again... at least until Monday morning.

In my opinion, Warren Gatland’s decision to omit Brian O’Driscoll from the third Lions test last summer is water under the bridge. The Lions won the series so let’s move on.

If you think the issue will be a motivating factor for Ireland, and by extension the crowd on Saturday, rest assured, it will be a point of discussion in the Welsh camp, given they view the Irish public’s reaction to the controversial call as a lack of respect for both Jonathan Davies and for their coach, who is a highly respected figure in the Welsh dressing room.