The former Wales coach delighted crowds in Cardiff ahead of the recent clash with Scotland
Former Wales head coach Warren Gatland
Warren Gatland left a Cardiff crowd in stitches with his fascinating remarks about the four home nations.
The Kiwi, appearing at the Rugby Pod’s Wales Legends Live show ahead of the recent defeat to Scotland in Cardiff, gave his opinions on the difference between the nations that make up British and Irish Lions. He received a hugely warm reception on his return to Wales after leaving his job as national coach a year ago.
Gatland was part of four Lions tours during his coaching career, and says he noticed some striking differences between the various contingents in the touring party.
“The Irish players are the most intelligent,” he began.
“I didn’t believe that either,” he then joked.
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“And the reason they’re the most intelligent, and they question and they challenge, is that 80 per cent of the Irish players have traditionally come from eight schools.
“So private schooling, well educated, can handle long meetings and stuff.”
On Wales, whom he coached twice over to separate spells, he said: “The Welsh players in my experience were the most athletic and the most skilful.
“Definitely not the brightest!”
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In terms of Scotland, his answer was suitably brief.
“The Scottish, I didn’t ever pick any of the ******s so I can’t really talk about it.”
That comment was met with howls of laughter from the audience, who crammed into the Depot in Cardiff to hear from Gatland, as well as Dan Biggar, Jim Hamilton and Jac Morgan.
Finally, on England, he added: “The English players, and this is a compliment, brought the best out of the Irish players, and brought the best out of the Welsh players.
“The best out of the one Scottish player,” he continued in another light-hearted jab at Scottish rugby.
Then again, he couldn’t resist aiming a backhanded compliment at England too.
“The greatest thing about the English players is that even when they’re ****, they still think they’re good,” he joked.”
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