GROWING

GUP in New Zealand, Warren Gatland wasn’t really aware of the Five Nations. He played for Waikato against a Triple Crown-winning Wales side in 1988 – beating the tourists – and heard the odd result, but matches weren’t shown on television and the championship didn’t appear on his radar.

That all changed when he moved to Ireland in 1989. Everyone in the Galwegians clubhouse would be talking about the Five Nations come

January each year and kick-offs would be moved so that the

Ireland matches could be watched live. It quickly became apparent to Gatland how special a tournament the championship was – and is.

“What struck me was the history,” Gatland reflects. “That’s obviously something the Six

Nations has over Super Rugby and the southern hemisphere. To me it’s the history that creates the legacy and the support, the