Thorburn hits out at ‘pathetic’ Gatland

FORMER Wales captain, Paul Thorburn, has branded as “pathetic” and “unsavoury’’ Warren Gatland’s incendiary comments this week, and criticised the Kiwi coach for stoking unnecessary fires ahead of tomorrow’s clash in Cardiff where Ireland bid for only a second ever Grand Slam.

Gatland declared on Tuesday that “out of all the teams in the Six Nations, the Welsh players dislike the Irish the most” and also questioned Ireland’s ability to function in big matches

“I find it all quite pathetic really and I think Warren Gatland needs to understand what his role in rugby is – he’s there to coach a team,” blasted Thorburn last night.

“I never had any ill-feeling towards the Irish; in fact I married an Irish lady, and always found Ireland good ‘craic’ as they say in your part of the world.

“Obviously we hated to lose and I’m sure that’s no different any team.”

Speaking on Off the Ball on Newstalk, the former Neath player, was clearly disgusted by Gatland’s mind-games ahead of tomorrow’s Championship decider in the Millennium Stadium.

“I was over in Dublin earlier in the week at a European Cup meeting, and the headlines in the papers were rather disappointing to read from a Welsh perspective. I think it’s very unsavoury in sport but I guess kidology and psychology is all part of the game unfortunately,” Thorburn said.