Welsh boss Warren Gatland insists he does not regret his comments
Recently we heard the comments passed by the Welsh boss Warren Gatland, challenging and degrading the English hooker Dylan Hartley. To be more specific the words used by the Gatland were, “Let's see what he has got to offer.” Then he pointed out his weaknesses
and the lack of maturity Hartley has. Warren Gatland made it clear today that he doesn’t regret expressing himself and letting the anger out prior to next Friday’s fixture.
Gatland insisted to remain by his words and yet again mentioned that he saw Hartley ‘got to pieces’ against Leicester Tigers, while playing for Northampton Saints. He said, “It just shows people can crack under pressure. It's another case of a Kiwi choking
on the big occasion.”
The Welsh boss totally stood by his stance when asked questions again and again by the media today. He added, “Dylan Hartley always seems to have a lot to say for himself, but we will see what he's got next week.”
Gatland mentioned the Richie Rees case and said Hartley is partially responsible for the twelve week ban. He seems to have taken the Rees’s blow quite seriously, as his absence will make a major difference on next Friday’s fixture.
At the launch of Six Nations championship he said hopefully, “I hope the words are going to be used as motivation.”
Though, he added a bit of humour to it by adding his last comment, “Do I regret making the comments? No not at all. We needed to sell a couple of thousand tickets and I am on a basic from the BBC.”
A bit of zing and spice is always witnessed prior to the England and Wales match. This is not the first time that such comments have been passed, but Warren Gatland seemed to have meant each every word of it. As the clock is ticking and Hartley is crossing
each day out from the calendar, the pressure is building on him to prove Gatland wrong and bring home the victory with his almost inexperienced side.
February 4th is the day when one of the party has to own up to what they said and create a benchmark in Millennium stadium to settle this tussle for future.
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