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<\/p>\nSam Warburton believes Steve Borthwick can learn a lesson from Warren Gatland after defeat by Scotland last week<\/p>\n
Sam Warburton and Warren Gatland<\/p>\n
Sam Warburton has highlighted the importance of a head coach in times of adversity and believes a trick Warren Gatland once used for his deflated Wales players could be a lesson for England in this Six Nations.<\/p>\n
Writing in The Times<\/a>, former Wales captain Warburton has recalled the moment in 2013 when Wales\u2019 title defence appeared to be unravelling after a chastening 30-22 defeat to Ireland in Cardiff<\/a>, a game in which they had trailed 30-3.<\/p>\n The following Monday morning, the squad gathered for breakfast fearing the worst. On the whiteboard in the team room were the words: \u201cNCE 10am.\u201d<\/p>\n NCE, the National Centre of Excellence, was the training barn at the team’s Vale hotel base. The players assumed they were about to be punished.<\/p>\n \u201cThis looked as if it was going to be some sort of physical punishment for what had happened at the weekend,\u201d Warburton said.<\/p>\n Instead, they walked into something entirely unexpected.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/p>\n The lights were dimmed. A DJ stood in the middle of the gym. Disco lights flashed around the room.<\/p>\n \u201cRight, let\u2019s forget about that loss,\u201d Gatland told them. \u201cThis is going to be a beach weights session just to pick the mood back up. You can take your tops off if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n The transformation in atmosphere was immediate.<\/p>\n \u201cSuddenly the mood was lifted. Everyone was shouting and high-fiving,\u201d Warburton wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cAt one stage I remember looking over during a particularly rousing song and seeing Gatland standing on one of the weights benches punching his fist in the air to the beat. It was incredible. It was brilliant man-management from Gatland.\u201d<\/p>\n Apparently, that psychological reset worked.<\/p>\n Back in the team room, Warburton gathered the squad and delivered a simple message to the team, that the championship was still alive.<\/p>\n \u201cGrand Slams are rare. Not everyone wins the championship with a Grand Slam. This is still on,\u201d he told his team-mates.<\/p>\n Wales went on to claim the 2013 Six Nations<\/a> title, sealing it in emphatic fashion with a 30-3 demolition of England in Cardiff to deny their rivals a Grand Slam.<\/p>\n Get the latest Wales Rugby merch at Fanatics<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> Various Price<\/p>\n Fanatics<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_Untitled-11jpeg.jpg\"\/)
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