WALES’ KEN OWENS believes head coach Warren Gatland has never received the appropriate credit he deserves for transforming the country’s standing on the international stage over the last decade.
Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Dublin on Saturday, the Scarlets hooker said Gatland has always had to prove himself despite a proven track record which has seen Wales win the Six Nations three times under his tenure.
“Both inside and outside of Wales for some reason he’s always had to – not explain himself – but prove himself despite helping transform Wales in the past few seasons,” Owens said.
“We’ve been right up in the mix and things haven’t gone right always, but we’ve always been there or thereabouts and we’re a very tough team to break down. We’ve won three Championships and two Grand Slams in the last 10 years and he’s won one Lions series and drawn the other.”
The ex-Wasps coach has been criticised for numerous years for a direct, physical playing style, coined “Warrenball” by former England coach Brian Smith.
Last summer’s drawn Lions tour was also dogged by a negative perception of Gatland in the New Zealand press, with the affair reaching a tense boiling point when the New Zealand Herald portrayed the coach as a clown in a front-page cartoon.
“The New Zealand tour was the second best result there in Lions history and if you look at New Zealand over the past 20 or 30 years, they haven’t lost at Eden Park and we got a draw there,” Owens continued.
“They hadn’t lost a home Test since 2008 or 2009 and we beat them. They’ve won the last two World Cups and it still wasn’t enough. He’s a great coach and his work with the Lions has put him up there with the best.”
The 54-year-old will take charge of his 100th game as Wales boss when his side make the trip to the Aviva Stadium this weekend, with Ireland aiming to continue their run towards a potential Grand Slam.
Joe Schmidt’s side are unbeaten following wins against France and Italy, but will face their biggest test against Gatland’s side, who comfortably beat Scotland on the opening matchday, before narrowly losing to England a week ago at Twickenham.
It presents a good indicator of where each side is in this Six Nations campaign, and of how far they can go, with Owens adding that Gatland’s experience coaching in Ireland will add to the affair on Saturday afternoon at Lansdowne Road.
“He enjoys playing the Irish, he does. He and the coaches do, whether that’s because of rivalries because Gats played and coached at Connacht and coached the Irish team or because he’s coached the Irish boys on Lions tours, there is a rivalry there.
“They’re up there with the best sides and they’ve been one of our biggest rivals over the last 10 years. They’ve won a couple of Grand Slams in that time and have been right up there in Europe as well. There is that special something between the Welsh and the Irish.
“We’d like to get the win for us and for everybody in the squad, but it would top it off for Gats. If we get a big win out there it will keep our Championship hopes alive as well.”
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Can’t disagree with his point but just hard to take when we’ve a pick of a 21/2 mile radius. How can we ever match the Dublin clubs.
In reality it’s up to the player himself, my own opinion would be to play with my home club if I could. I wouldn’t be a fan of lads who would transfer to a bigger club or a higher level but it’s their choice of they want to do that.
It’s a tough one. Lads have careers & families and may not be able to commit to the travel involved if they are living in Dublin and playing with their hometown club. Playing with the club 5 minutes away is more practical.
In saying that, no reason why these players have to play in the Provincial championships. Let them play league and ch’ship in Dublin, but you use home-grown players beyond that.
How can we ever match Dublin clubs? €€€€€€ is the only way…..
You can disagree, they signed former dub eamonn fennell from o’tooles who are five mins away from Vincent’s. And another of their better players came from o tooles.
Parnells got awful stick for imports, it didn’t work out for them and they are back to the right way now. Plunketts vinnies ballymun shipping lads in!
All the top clubs are the same, Kerry club Dr.Crokes centre back Alan o sullivan is an import and rumor is the Crokes have approached this years kerry minor Clifford to transfer and he probably will if the terms are right!!:-):-):-):-
Does Eamon Fennell still play?
Not sure saw him on crutches though