Shut roof is an extra weapon for Gatland

WE had another round of roof wars this week with Warren Gatland canvassing hard for Wales to have the final say on whether the Principality Stadium’s retractable canopy should be open or closed on big match days.

The Welsh coach said he would be in Mr Angry mode if he was dealing with the Six Nations committee, demanding that it is the host nation’s privilege to make the decision and “banging my fists on the table”.

Gatland was venting his frustration following the decision by England coach Eddie Jones to have the roof open for yesterday’s Six Nations showdown in Cardiff. The roof ruling put in place by World Rugby since the stadium was rebuilt is that the visiting nation has the right to say open or closed.

Rightly so. Closed roof stadiums are a rarity in the sport, and this has always been an outdoor game in which part of the challenge is to adapt tactically to the prevailing weather/surface conditions.

During Gatland’s tenure Wales almost always want the roof shut. One of the reasons is because he knows that the wall of sound generated by Welsh fans reverberates around the stadium at such volume that it creates an intimidating atmosphere.

The opposition cannot escape the sonic boom, and among the mistakes England made when they lost 30-3 in 2013 in Cardiff under Stuart Lancaster was not stipulating that the roof remained open.

Some of the England players said after that Grand Slam-destroying defeat that they were overwhelmed by the noise.

My belief is that Gatland, and his successors as Wales coach stretching way beyond Wayne Pivac, should continue to be refused primacy in the roof debate.

I also suspect that should Gatland be offered the England job after the 2019, and accept, he will not be so insistent on a closed roof on his return to Cardiff.