Gatland’s parting shot to ‘derail’ Ireland
Wales coach adds to the pressure on Schmidt Evans and Patchell face shoot-out for Japan spot
Warren Gatland never knowingly misses a chance to target an opposition’s weaknesses in the build-up, even when the encounter is classed a “warm-up”.
And despite picking an experimental side to face Ireland in Cardiff tomorrow, the Kiwi emphasised the pressure was piled high on the visitors and declared that it was Wales’s job to “derail” their World Cup challenge.
This will be Gatland’s last match at the Principality Stadium as Wales head coach, although he was keen at yesterday’s team announcement to stress that it is so much more than an opportunity to wave goodbye after 12 garlanded years.
Gatland names his 31-man squad for Japan on Sunday and was only too willing to declare that there will be those playing for their plane tickets, not least the two outsidehalves, Jarrod Evans and Rhys Patchell, who will be given 40 minutes each in a “shoot-out” to decide who is Dan Biggar’s back-up.
Gatland admitted it was “a risk” to take only two No 10s, but was adamant that every coach “is going to be exposed in one area depending on which way you go”. Of course, he includes Joe Schmidt in that, although after last weekend’s record pummelling at Twickenham and the resulting outcry and doommongering in Ireland, Gatland clearly believes his countryman’s problems are stacking up at a crucial time. “I was surprised by Ireland’s result [57-15] against England,” Gatland said. “They are under an enormous amount of pressure back home, with a lot of criticism given that they haven’t progressed in World Cups further than they probably expected.
“There are a lot of doubts in the coaches’ minds about who their best players are, some are getting a bit older, is it a time to put some of the youngsters in? It’s a massive game for Ireland that will answer a lot of questions That’s why I’m excited. This is professional sport and we can put a massive dent in their confidence and derail them a little.”
Gatland and Schmidt talked before selection and agreed this weekend “would see a lot of changes and we’ll go reasonably strong for [the return match in] Dublin next week”. There are 14 changes from the starting side who beat England 13-6 two weeks ago, with loosehead Rhys Carre and wing Owen Lane making their international debuts. At No8, Josh Navidi will wear the captain’s armband for the first time.
The new standing as world No1 will also be on the line, with one scenario featuring Wales giving way to New Zealand and falling to fourth, but after the astonishing outburst of Gus Pichot, World Rugby’s vice-president, Gatland dismissed the significance. When asked what he thought of Pichot labelling Wales’s status at the top of the rankings as “ridiculous”, Gatland, with a smirk, replied: “If he’s not happy, then take it off us. We didn’t go in there and apply for it. It doesn’t bother us. In fact, we officially decline the position – thanks!” Wales (v Ireland, 2.30pm tomorrow, Principality Stadium)
H Amos (Cardiff Blues); O Lane (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys), O Watkin (Ospreys), S Evans (Scarlets); J Evans (Cardiff Blues), A Davies (Ospreys); R Carre (Saracens), R Elias (Scarlets), S Lee (Scarlets), A Beard (Ospreys), B Davies (Ospreys), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues, capt).
Replacements E Dee (Dragons), R Evans (Scarlets), L Brown (Dragons), J Ball (Scarlets), R Moriarty (Dragons), T Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Patchell (Scarlets), J Holmes (Leicester).
‘They have doubts – who are their best players?’