GRAND STYLE
GREATEST EVER GAT DESERVES TO GO OUT IN
GARETH ANSCOMBE reckons Warren Gatland will go down as Wales’ greatest-ever coach, with his team on the verge of more Grand Slam glory this weekend.
Wales are 13 games unbeaten and victory over Ireland would make Gatland the first boss to seal three Six Nations clean sweeps.
The New Zealander will leave his role after 12 years with Wales at the end of this year’s World Cup and he will coach his team for the last time in the Six Nations on Saturday.
And fly-half Anscombe said: “Warren has got to go down as Wales’ best coach. It is hard to go past his record with the fact we are going for another Grand Slam, which would be his third.
“He has the ability to get the best out of everyone and, as a player, one thing he does is give you a belief to win. He leaves no doubt in your mind the team will get the job done.
“I’m sure he will know the buttons to push this week. He will be a bit emotional, as it will be the last time in the stadium with this on the line. He deserves to go out with this.”
Wales hope to set up the biggest Cardiff party with a win over Ireland, who were the last team to beat Gatland’s side in February 2018.
New Zealand-born playmaker Anscombe gave up on his All Blacks dream to pursue international rugby in the northern hemisphere through his Cardiff-born mother Tracey.
The 27-year-old, who is unbeaten in a Wales jersey when he has started at fly-half, added: “My parents are going to fly over from New Zealand for the game. They arrive on Thursday.
“Everyone knows the importance of Saturday and how exciting it is.
“It (a Grand Slam) is a goal we set ourselves at the start of the campaign. We knew we could get here.
“You can see how much it means to the public and everyone is desperate to get the job done.
“It’s important to soak up the atmosphere, but we must remember to be clinical as well.” 89 58 0 146 63 3 94 75 2 67 87 2 68 104 2 65 142 0
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