Warren Gatland reaches a milestone in Dublin on Saturday, where he was run out of town as a national coach in 2001. Robin Davey says there could be no more satisfying place to celebrate a century of Tests with Wales and believes there are good reasons to anticipate success.
Ton-up Warren Gatland takes charge of his 100th game for Wales on Saturday, and there’s probably nothing he would like more than to celebrate by putting one across his former employers, the IRFU.
There’s been no love lost between Gatland and Ireland since he left there 17 years ago – a bungled episode by a trigger-happy Irish Rugby Football Union, who should have stuck with a coach who clearly had far more to offer.
He headed initially for Wasps and then for Wales. Now, after two Grand Slams and Triple Crowns, plus a World Cup semi-final spot, Gatland becomes only the second international coach behind Graham Henry to be in charge of one team for 100 games.
And he has already tried to get under the skin of the Irish by saying he doesn’t think they are the best team in the Six Nations when they’re many people’s favourites for the title; claiming defence coach Andy Farrell wouldn’t be happy they conceded 19 points against Italy and declaring Wales would attack key half-backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton.
Gatland bases that assessment on Wales’ success against Ireland and their half-backs last season, when they won 22-9.
That, of course, was in Cardiff, but Gatland has enjoyed success in Dublin before and there is every chance he will toast success there again.
On the surface there appears to be little between the sides. Ireland have won both their tournament games so far compared with Wales’ one, but they were against France and Italy, arguably the weakest sides in the competition.
And it required a last ditch dropped goal by Sexton to come through against the French, though his team-mates showed ultimate discipline and control to put the ball through 40+ phases before Sexton was manoeuvred into position to drop for goal from well over 40 metres out.
Wales, on the other hand, faltered against England after demolishing Scotland, though they could easily have won at Twickenham.
They were controversially denied a try when the TMO ruled Gareth Anscombe failed to reach the ball over the line first, World Rugby later ruling a mistake had been made.
Then, a fantastic cover tackle by Sam Underhill prevented Scott Williams from scoring a try as the Welsh centre was diving for the line.
If those two incidents had gone the other way Wales might well have emerged from Twickenham triumphant which would have been some achievement considering they were without so many first choice players.
Gatland has recalled three of them for Saturday – fit again Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar all returning while George North is on the bench. But Taulupe Faletau has returned to Bath, not quite fit enough to return to international rugby.
The selection gives the Wales back three a more solid, reliable look, though I would have included North as well, against what is sure to be an aerial bombardment from Murray and Sexton.
The half-back pair are expert at hoisting the high ball with the Irish pack in full flow under it.
Canny coach Joe Schmidt has delayed naming the side because of injury doubts and is likely to have to field a new centre partnership, while leading forwards Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien are out and their formidable Lions Test prop Tadgh Furlong is doubtful.
Nevertheless, Schmidt will relish the tactical battle with his old adversary and the outcome could well be too tight to call.
Ireland have the home advantage, but Gatland has probably got the psychological edge.
With the defence considerably tightened by those recalled players, Wales could well emerge triumphant and help Gatland celebrate his 100th game in charge with some style.
