Coach: It’s fair to criticise Wales’ warm-up schedule
WALES boss Warren Gatland has candidly admitted that criticism of Wales Rugby World Cup warm-up schedule is fair comment.
There has been concern among fans that Wales are tempting fate when it comes to injuries by playing four Test matches between now and the global gathering in Japan next month.
Four years ago, Gatland was hit by two hammer injury blows in the final game before the tournament, losing both Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny to injury in a win over Italy.
Then, Wales used just three games to prepare but now they have double headers against England and Ireland booked in before jetting off to the Land of the Rising Sun.
It’s a decision that drew fierce criticism from Wales legend JPR Williams, whilst there is also a notion that they are being used to generate revenue for the Welsh Rugby Union.
“The criticism is fair,” nodded Gatland at his press conference ahead of the first England game at Twickenham tomorrow.
“You can’t get it right all the time. You are trying to negotiate warm-up games with sides and trying to get the balance right.
“Four years ago we were supposed to play England home and away, and that got called off because we ended TV: up in the same (World Cup) pool.
“I think the England games are always a good contest for us. You may have wanted three (games), or potentially not quite so strong opposition.
“But you go into negotiations, and sometimes you have got to accept what has been delivered.
“I understand exactly where you are coming from, and I understand the criticism as well. That’s warranted.
“It’s a little bit of a concern that you don’t pick up too many injuries, but sometimes you have just got to roll the dice and go with it.”
However, he did add: “For us, I think the fact we are in such a good place, sort of mentally and the depth we’ve created in the squad, we can go in with some confidence and maybe not pick up too many injuries.”
In order to ensure the warm-up games are balanced, meaningful contests, in the past head coaches have be open with each other about their plans for the match.
For example, they may both agree to name experimental sides to ensure that both can learn something from the contest.
However, tomorrow, Wales will be fully-loaded, and their counterparts have named a more mixed team, with debuts for the likes of Willi Heinz and Ruaridh McConnochie.
And Gatland confirmed that he has not been in talks with England boss Eddie Jones over selection, but has been making plans with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.
“No there hasn’t been any talk about that,” said Gatland.
“I’ve spoken to Joe Schmidt about the two games we play with each other so we’re kind of on the same page about what we’re going to do with the Irish games. The coaches are catching up with Eddie over dinner tonight so I’m sure there will be a little bit of banter and chat.
“We haven’t spoken about the games, it will be interesting to see how the chat goes over dinner.”
Wales have now travelled to London to ahead of their captain’s run at Twickenham today before the match tomorrow.