Gatland Jnr getting in shape with Wales camp
WARREN Gatland’s son Bryn has trained with Wales in Tokyo on Wednesday in the first training session since his operation.
The 24-year-old plays for the Highlanders – Dunedin’s Super Rugby franchise – but suffered a horror foot injury in April, believed to be similar to the one Wales centre Jonathan Davies did in 2017.
His foot required surgical repair, and this is the first time that Bryn has laced up his boots since then.
In an ironic twist, Wales are training at the Prince Chichibu Stadium in Tokyo, which is exactly the same venue where the fly-half suffered the nasty blow in a Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves.
He touched down in Japan last week and attended the World Cup quarter-final against France in Oita.
After he leaves the Wales job, Gatland will coach the Barbarians against Wales in Cardiff late next month. There are reports that he is keen to select his son in that Barbarians side and it looks as though he’s on track to be fit in time.
It’s not the first time Bryn has been in and around the camp. He has trained with Wales a few times and will hang around to boot balls back to the likes of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny when they practice their kicking.
Wales are believed to have sought permission from New Zealand boss Steve Hansen to allow him to train with them.
As a Kiwi, Bryn is eligible for All Blacks selection. His presence in the Wales camp does not contravene Rugby World Cup regulations because he does not qualify to pull on the red jersey.
Bryn was also joined on the training paddock by Sam Stone, who is the fiance of Warren Gatland’s daughter, Gabby.
Stone has represented New Zealand in touch rugby but didn’t appear to be taking as much of a part in the session as Bryn before the media were ushered away.
Elsewhere, Owen Lane who arrived in Japan on Tuesday to replace Josh Navidi, was watching training from the sidelines as he continues to acclimatise.