Gatland: my grenades worked a treat

WARREN GATLAND reckons the grenades he has thrown across the Irish Sea this week have worked a treat after claiming his war of words has had the desired effect.

Wales coach Gatland had fanned the flames ahead of today’s Six Nations decider in Cardiff when he revealed his players ‘disliked’ the Irish.

But on the eve of the heavyweight clash in Cardiff, Gatland insisted his taunting tactics towards his former employers were justified with the spotlight taken firmly away from his defending champions.

Gatland said: “A lot has been made but I meant to say Ireland are the team and not the players, that my players want to beat the most.

“But my comments have had the desired effect.

“They have become the issue this week and there’s been no talk of the individual match-ups or featured articles on my players.

“It’s all been positive from our point of view. Ireland have reacted and there’s been no pressure or focus on our players this week. The pressure is off us.

“My comments won’t make a difference on the match at all but perhaps I should take a leaf out of Declan Kidney’s book and talk in cliches.

“I’ve got a lot of friends in Ireland and my daughter was born there so I’ve nothing personal against the people of Ireland — I spent a lot of time there.

“But the rivalry and competitiveness has been built up in the Magners League and through the success of Munster.

“And in the last decade Ireland have won three Triple Crowns and had great success over Wales. This is like a local derby that has built up over the past 10 years with the clubs as well as countries. The players are really motivated — it’s only natural.

“The players are just focussed on winning. We have not been at home since the England match and we’re looking forward to it.”

History beckons for both teams with Ireland chasing a first Grand Slam in 61 years and Wales aiming to seal back-to-back championships for the first time in three decades.

But in order to do so, Gatland’s men must attack to win by 13 points at the Millennium Stadium.

“We will not change our approach at all. We will attack and play more rugby than we have done in the rest of the tournament.

“The conditions are beautiful and the pitch is dry and hard which will suit us. We’re happy that the roof is open because we want to play rugby.

“We will need to play for the full 80 minutes to win by 13 points. It could be close if we allow Ireland to strangle us with their set-piece, Ronan O’Gara’s kicking and the pick and go. We need to be more expansive, look to move the ball around and play smart rugby. We want to entertain the crowd but it will be difficult to play like that in the first 20 minutes. It will depend on how our players play for possession and territory.

“But we had to win at Croke Park to win the Triple Crown and then beat France to win the Grand Slam last season so we have fronted up on the big occasion. We’ve also beaten Australia last autumn so we know we can handle the occasion.”

After today’s Six Nations finale, Gatland will quickly switch his attentions towards the British Lions tour to South Africa this summer as forwards coach.

Gatland said: “I won’t think about the Lions before the game but I will reflect on the number of match-ups after. At this stage, both teams will make up a significant proportion of the Lions squad.

“Ireland have been the best team in the tournament but we aren’t far behind. But performances this weekend will be crucial for selection in a number of 50-50 calls.”

Wales will give a late fitness test to No 8 Andy Powell who pulled up in training yesterday with a thigh strain. Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones is on call to start and Jonathan Thomas will join the bench.

Gatland said: “Andy is a slight concern. He has got a tight quad muscle and pulled out of our final session. We will just have to wait and see.”