McIlroy axe in Open aim

This is the biggest game EVER for the Welsh No it’s not... IT’S ONLY ENGLAND

RORY McILROY will miss the Irish Open in July to focus on The Open at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland.

He said: “It would not be the best way to prepare for what could be the biggest event of my life.” WARREN GATLAND has rubbished Eddie Jones’ claim that Wales are facing the biggest game of their lives, insisting: “It’s only England.”

Gatland delayed announcing his team until after Jones had made two enforced changes to his side, replacing injured Chris Ashton and Mako Vunipola with Jack Nowell and Ben Moon.

He waited while his Red Rose counterpart proceeded to poke the dragon by declaring that Wales will start as favourites as they are the best team their nation has ever produced.

“It’s all about Wales, we are playing potentially the greatest team ever,” Jones said. “Their players are full of emotion.

“They’ve been saying they’re ready to rip off heads. It’s the biggest game they will play in their lives.” Gatland took it all in, even when Jones appeared to mock ‘Warrenball’ – the direct style of play centred around the crash-ball which Gatland employed to notable success – dubbing it “Wazzaball”.

Then, after Jones decreed the Principality Stadium roof, which Wales want closed, should stay open – Gatland had his say.

“The only quotes I can see about this being the greatest Wales team are from Eddie Jones,” scoffed the New Zealander, who just happens to be front-runner to succeed Jones after the World Cup.

“I wouldn’t be disrespectful enough to say this was the greatest Welsh team ever. It’s a long way off that.

“We’re all aware we’re on a great run and we’ve done well over the last 12 months, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

As for it being the biggest games of Wales’ lives, Gatland rapped: “He’s taking the mick. It’s not the biggest game. only against England!”

Having done a pretty good job at defusing Jones’ verbal grenades, the Kiwi launched a couple of his own.

He said England had made a “significant mistake” by delaying their journey over the Bridge until later today, before almost encouraging Welsh drivers to head on to the M4. “Coming It’s through Newport at about 5pm isn’t the best thing to do,” he said. “There’s a good chance there’ll be tractors and buses holding them up!”

Then he turned to England’s team, describing Vunipola’s absence as a “massive loss” before questioning the temperament of fellow prop Kyle Sinckler.

“Emotionally, Kyle can be a bit of a timebomb,” said Gatland, who has changed his halfback brains trust, bringing in Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe.

“We won’t antagonise him. But there is a challenge with his temperament. He and other players are aware of it.”

Gatland and Jones may be playing to the galleries.

But it is a sign of the respect between the tournament’s two unbeaten sides.

This game will set the tone for World Cup year, and both of them know it. 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8