Gatland lifts lid on 'split' in Wales camp after ringing changes for Italy clash

09 March 2023 , 16:14

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Warren Gatland has revealed there was a "significant split" within the Wales squad before their game against England last month (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Wales coach Warren Gatland has revealed there was a "significant split" within his squad ahead of their Six Nations clash with England which he believes "definitely had an impact" on their performance.

Welsh rugby's financial crisis led to threats of a strike before the players ultimately decided against taking strike action and the match went ahead as planned.

England won the match 20-10 as Wales slumped to a third consecutive Six Nations defeat, which has left them rock bottom with no points. Gatland's side have also been beaten by Ireland and Scotland so far in the tournament.

"On reflection, the stuff off the field definitely had an impact [against England]," Gatland said.

"There was quite a significant split in the group over which way to go and I think that definitely caused some tension within the group for a couple of weeks. It was quite fractious and I understand people have different opinions.

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"I didn't have an issue with that, but it can create tension. Some guys had pretty strong views on one way or the other [over strike action].

Wales were beaten 20-10 by England and have failed to pick up a single point in the Six Nations so far (©INPHO/James Crombie)

"Probably the best reflection were the comments [afterwards] by Justin Tipuric. He spoke about the body language against England. In those big moments, there were no celebrations, no slapping backs congratulating each other.

"The message to them is that we should celebrate those big moments, whether in defence or attack because it brings a team together. When I saw that we weren't doing that [against England] it was, on reflection, probably a sign of where we were as a group."

Wales are due to take on Italy next and Gatland has rung the changes, with Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Christ Tshiunza, Leigh Halfpenny and Gareth Thomas all dropped. Rhys Webb is due to make his first Six Nations start since 2017, while Rio Dyer, Dafydd Jenkins, Jac Morgan, Liam Williams and Wyn Jones will also start.

Matthew Cooper