Gatland touted as ‘better for England’ than Jones

Former Wales star Andy Powell believes Warren Gatland would be a better coach of England than Eddie Jones.

The Telegraph in Britain insists Kiwi Gatland is the frontrunner to replace Australian Jones at Twickenham.

That comes against the backdrop of this weekend’s juicy Wales v England clash in Cardiff, a match between two unbeaten teams that will likely decide the Six Nations title and, in Powell’s view, could prove influential to this year’s World Cup in Japan.

‘‘I think Warren would probably be even better than Eddie Jones,’’ Powell, a rugged No 8 who made his Wales debut under Gatland in November, 2008, told The Telegraph.

‘‘He has coached Wasps before and has been around the English players with the Lions and I think the RFU would love him.

‘‘I can see it happening. He is a clever guy and knows when to go and I think it is the right decision to make a change. He has done so much for Wales and I believe he can win the World Cup in Japan this year.’’

Gatland will step down from the Wales job after the World Cup. He has been in charge of Wales since late 2007.

Powell believes he is a prime example of Gatland’s manmanagement skills. While others were concerned about his temperament and ability to be a test player, Gatland had backed him all the way, despite Powell being 28.

‘‘Warren just said to me, ‘I have heard you have been a bit of a wild boy but I don’t want you to think about that. I am more interested in what you do on the pitch’,’’ Powell said.

‘‘He didn’t put any pressure on me. He just said go out and do what you do every game.

‘‘Sometimes if you are having a bad game, he would say, ‘you need to sharpen it up now, you’ve been playing poorly for the last few weeks and need to up it now’.’’

Powell went on to play 23 tests for Wales and was on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa in 2009, playing most of the tour with four broken bones in his hand which he had publicly dismissed as an insect bite, such was his determination to be involved. Gatland was an assistant coach on that tour.

Powell said Gatland, who has had huge success with Wales and the British and Irish Lions, was a leader who made you want to follow him and used clever motivational methods.

‘‘In team meetings he could be really inspirational. He would talk about it being the biggest game for you as a player and to make your family and club proud,’’ Powell told The Telegraph.

‘‘He would say, ‘don’t do it for the management but do it for the whole of Wales, who are coming to support you and paying £90 for a ticket and a lot of money to watch you. If you lose without giving everything you have got then it is not good enough’.

‘‘It was a brilliant way of making you feel motivated. He is probably the best man manager I have worked with on the international stage.’’

Powell has been impressed with Wales’ form and buildup for the England test and is expecting a cracking match in Cardiff on Sunday (NZ time).

‘‘I think first of all it will be the physicality – the scrum, driving maul at lineouts, get parity up front,’’ Powell said.

‘‘I think we can target their scrum and the kicking battle is going to be massive.

‘‘But there is more on this game than just the Six Nations. If Wales win by six to nine points and go on to win the Grand Slam, I think they will have the momentum to win the World Cup in Japan.’’

That would make Gatland irresistible.