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Welsh fans are thrilled that Warren Gatland isn't going to England

28 Jun 2019

England coach Eddie Jones (left) and his Wales counterpart Warren Gatland (Photo by Getty Images)

Warren Gatland was revealed on Friday as the new Chiefs head coach from 2020, putting to an end months of speculation as to where his future lay.

The Wales boss has already agreed to take control of the British and Irish Lions for the third time in South Africa in 2021, but no one knew where he would be in the intermittent time.

It has now been revealed that he will spend a year with the Chiefs, take a year off to be with the Lions, and then return to the Super Rugby franchise in 2022 and 2023.

Many fans in the northern hemisphere were expecting Gatland to move to either England or France after the World Cup, tempted by the financial power that each one had.

With more resources and a greater pool of talent to choose from, many feared how powerful England or France would become with Gatland at the helm.

ANNOUNCEMENT | Warren Gatland has inked a four-year deal as Head Coach of the Gallagher Chiefs.
READ FULL STORY: https://t.co/iSagEgE8r1 pic.twitter.com/hRkfyoobcL
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) June 27, 2019

A grassroots referendum put an end to the French federation’s filtration with appointing a non-Frenchman as their national team’s boss.

And while the three-time Grand Slam winning coach subsequently ruled out the possibility of taking over from Eddie Jones in England after the World Cup, some thought that this was another case of his famed mind games.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byo1YxwALy2/

With Wales heading into the World Cup in September with a lot of momentum, the last thing they would have wanted was the news that their coach was moving to their fiercest rival next year.

However, this confirmed move to the Chiefs has quashed the fears that the New Zealander would be taking over at Twickenham after the World Cup.

It has left Welsh fans seemingly over the moon. This is what they have said:

Really really glad it’s not England
— You’re so fucking special (@GubbenEvans) June 27, 2019

Great delighted not going to England that would be kick in the teeth.
— TSH (@TSH2020nurse) June 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/capitalswanews/status/1144505217607712768?s=20

Let’s just be happy he’s not gonna turn up as England coach!
— Chris P. Cock (@steven_mcghee) June 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/ryanwill83/status/1144335307271233538?s=20

The thought of the great man going to England fills me with dread!! Please be true!
— paul curbishley (@curby235) June 27, 2019

France have been in disarray for a while but many believe that under the right coaching, they could become the most powerful side in world rugby. Gatland was touted as the man who could bring about a great French revival before the FFR referendum result.

Many Welsh fans could have lived with the idea of Gatland coaching France, but they could not abide the thought of him being in charge of England. They now feel pleasantly relieved.

WATCH: Colin Cooper and CEO Michael Collins front up to the media after the Chiefs head coach decided to step down from his role

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 13 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 13 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 13 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 13 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 13 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 13 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍