What's happened to Gatland?

Is he going soft in his old age? I haven't seen any crass wind-up remarks about the English team or coaches in the press yet! Where is the next "Hartley will fold under pressure" remark? Why hasn't he come out with some denigrating jibe in public? Is he will he? They're always good for a snigger if nothing else.

Can't you see? The silence is even more telling. "not worth the effort"

(P.S. his sentiments not mine)

Or could it be that putting his foot in his big fat mouth hurts?

It could, but the guys on a roll currently. Confidence is up. Not the time he's likely to shut up, unless it's on his terms and there's a good reason for it.

If you prefer, why don't we try to guess what he might have said?

"You've got to feel for the senior England players. They carry the can for the World Cup and are either made scapegoats or are expected to carry this team with a Saxons coach."

Probably too busy doing press conferneces about all his players moving to France.

Maybe he's becoming a bit more wise to journalists questions, a lot of what he's been 'attacked' for in the past have been part-quotes and not entirely portrayed in their full context.

he did come out with some classics mind...

I've thought that - for the Irish game and to be honest the WC as well. The worst I've heard is him say that England will need to score 4 pens, 1 try and a conversion to give them 19 points for a chance of winning.

Which is maybe him being badly quoted, but it's very strange as it seems to be suggesting that Wales will def score 18 points and England can't stop them scoring that many, but can stop them scoring more than 18. Weird.

But I def prefer this quiet gatland a lot more than the idiotic wind-up gatland

I've heard he's shopping for a farm house in the South of France so he can be nearer the majority of his squad ready for next season. That or the WRU have banned him from jinxing anymore games by opening his mouth.

he could have just realised no sauce in the world can make foot taste good.

That's a good quote, witty

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I've thought that - for the Irish game and to be honest the WC as well. The worst I've heard is him say that England will need to score 4 pens, 1 try and a conversion to give them 19 points for a chance of winning.

Which is maybe him being badly quoted, but it's very strange as it seems to be suggesting that Wales will def score 18 points and England can't stop them scoring that many, but can stop them scoring more than 18. Weird.

But I def prefer this quiet gatland a lot more than the idiotic wind-up gatland

I think it's a reference to the fact that in our last 3 meetings Wales have scored 19 points in each.

Maybe he just wised up. Or maybe it's that he's not feeling under pressure. The one I remember is when he came out and said the Welsh dislike the Irish the most, or something like that. Wales had just lost to France, and Ireland were looking ominous in their pursuit of a Grand Slam. He was probably feeling the heat, and that's what made him come out with the wind-up.

I see Dr Nik, still a pretty strange thing to say - especially with different teams and that. But still compared to previous comments it's pretty sane and respectful

Maybe the WRU asked him to behave so he doesnt mess up any potential sponsorship oppertunities for them?

I can imagine the whole coaching team was read the riot act after Shaun Edwards suspension for head butting one of the analysts. Maybe they have decided to fine the coaches for stepping out of line now.

AlynDavies wrote:Maybe the WRU asked him to behave so he doesnt mess up any potential sponsorship oppertunities for them?

I can imagine the whole coaching team was read the riot act after Shaun Edwards suspension for head butting one of the analysts. Maybe they have decided to fine the coaches for stepping out of line now.

In fairness to Shaun Edwards, anyone who tries to scam a living as a rugby 'analyst' deserves to be head butted.

I think it's more likely to do with his Lions aspirations. Why upset the apple cart when you're one of the front runners for the top job?

Casartelli wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:Maybe the WRU asked him to behave so he doesnt mess up any potential sponsorship oppertunities for them?

I can imagine the whole coaching team was read the riot act after Shaun Edwards suspension for head butting one of the analysts. Maybe they have decided to fine the coaches for stepping out of line now.

In fairness to Shaun Edwards, anyone who tries to scam a living as a rugby 'analyst' deserves to be head butted.

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:I think it's more likely to do with his Lions aspirations. Why upset the apple cart when you're one of the front runners for the top job?

Good point.

Probably been banned by the moderaters

Does their power extend that far? Has he had an email in red from Kiwi asking him to play nicely?

Actually Gatts did get banned didnt he!

"What crap will Gatland spout?"

"Which team will France bring to the game?"

"How far wiill the dwarf be thrown?"

All myths in Union gents..well apart from the last question.