Gatland sent Christmas card to get back in BOD good books

Warren Gatland has revealed he attempted to resolve his falling-out with Brian O’Driscoll by sending the Irishman a Christmas card in which he asked the centre to ensure he got a good reception at the Aviva Stadium on February 8.

Gatland found himself at the eye of a storm after making the decision to drop O’Driscoll for the Lions’ decisive Third Test in Australia last July.

O’Driscoll had never previously been dropped in his four Lions tours, and there was strong criticism for Gatland’s decision to play Jonathan Davies at outside centre.