GATLAND TOOK STICK TO PROTECT US, SAYS DAVIES

JONATHAN DAVIES does not recognise the sad clown image of Warren Gatland from the British and Irish Lions tour. Despite defying the odds to guide the tourists through an epic series in New Zealand, the head coach was ridiculed by his countrymen. Earlier this week, Gatland revealed he hated the tour and would not subject himself to another in South Africa in 2021. He was stunned by the treatment he received and claimed the abuse he suffered was an ‘orchestrated campaign’. But Davies insists the players were unaware of Gatland’s problems. ‘I didn’t feel he hated the tour at all,’ said the Welshman. ‘That is one of his qualities. He took a lot of the stick. ‘No players were singled out in the press, it was always him. He took it all. ‘That helped us. He relieved pressure from the team which allowed us to play with freedom. ‘Rugby is all about winning. If he thought that was the best way to allow the team to be ready to take on a Test, he was prepared to do that. ‘If he didn’t enjoy it, that is a bit of a shame. I am sure he might have some fond memories.’ It was bad enough for Gatland that the home media lined him up in their crosshairs. But when his own player, Sean O’Brien, sniped after the tour it was a body blow. And Davies, man of the series on the trip, thought that unnecessary. ‘What goes on tour normally stays on tour,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there was a need for it to come out publicly. That’s Sean’s decision to do that.’