Mercy dash to be with injured son
Bryn Gatland’s foot injury is so bad that his famous father rushed home from Wales to manage his recovery.
Wales coach Warren Gatland, whose side won this year’s Six Nations, was making the “emergency dash” to ensure his son was “treated by a top medic”, according to Wales Online.
The 23-year-old Gatland will undergo major surgery to save his career after he was carried off during the Highlanders’ 52-0 win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo last weekend.
Bryn Gatland’s foot was trapped under bodies, causing bones to snap and ligaments to tear. A surgeon reportedly believes he can reconstruct the foot so Gatland can resume his career, but his recovery period will be at least six months.
The injury is said to be worse than a similar one suffered by Wales back Jonathan Davies, who heard a few “pops and crunches” when tackled while playing Australia in late 2017.
Davies was out of action for nearly nine months, after having a plate inserted and enduring muscle wastage during the rehabilitation period.
Highlanders assistant Mark Hammett said Gatland had broken at least two metatarsals, damaged ligaments and displaced other muscles.
The horror injury has also robbed the Gatlands of a potential father and son reunion.
Outgoing Welsh coach Gatland is tipped to guide the Barbarians against Wales late this year. Bryn Gatland was in line to play for that team, giving his father the opportunity to coach him in a top side for the first time.
Gatland has also become favourite to coach the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021, which would be his third successive tour with them.
In 2012, Gatland snr suffered two broken legs after falling from a ladder at his Waihi Beach bach.