Rugby
Quinlan Fires Back at Gatland’s Ireland Comments
Former Ireland player Alan Quinlan has expressed his annoyance at Warren Gatland’s post-match comments on Saturday
Former Ireland star Alan Quinlan has lashed out at Welsh head coach Warren Gatland’s post-match comments following Ireland’s 19-10 win on Saturday.
Gatland complained that Ireland lacked ambition in their game-plan and kept things simple during their win.
“Ireland went back to what they are traditionally good at. They just played phase, after phase after phase, see if they can get a penalty chance, kick the ball down the field and then try and squeeze you in your 22,” he said.
Quinlan, who was speaking on Irish show Off The Ball AM, hit back at Gatland’s comments as he believed they were hypocritical of the Kiwi and his side.
“What expansive rugby did they play? Where were they effective? They got one try in the game from an interception. What does Warren Gatland expect Ireland to do? Throw the ball around the place and show their hand before the World Cup? He was never going to do that either. I like Gatty, but that stuff irritated me after the game. It was condescending and insulting,” he said.
The 27-cap former Ireland international went on to accuse Gatland of holding a grudge due to his sacking as Ireland’s head coach many year’s ago.
“I don’t know why he needs to say that stuff after a game. I was more disappointed with that than any of the stuff Gatty’s said before. It was bitter, and there is a bitterness there in Warren Gatland about what happened to him a long time ago when he got shafted here. It would have been nice if he’d come out and given more credit to Joe Schmidt for what he’s achieved, and Rory Best in his last game there, but what he was saying is absolute b*******,” he added.
Quinlan finished off his point against Gatland’s claim by suggesting that Wales played a very simple game on route to winning this year’s grand slam.
“Wales won a Grand Slam in the Six Nations just gone by, [and] Ireland scored 14 tries and Wales scored 10. He’s talking about ambition. Winning a Grand Slam while scoring 10 tries – no bonus point in five games. What’s he talking about? What way does he play? His team are stopping teams from playing, they’re competing incredibly aggressively around the breakdown, putting massive pressure on teams,” he ended up.
Ireland and Wales both head to Japan this week ahead of their opening Rugby World Cup fixtures next week with both looking to go as far as possible in this year’s tournament with both head coaches Gatland and Joe Schmidt stepping aside after competition concludes.
World Rugby announced on Wednesday five law trials which will start next month, including a so-called “50/22” kicking adaptation.
The 50/22 change allows a team to gain a throw-in inside the opposition’s 22-metre area by kicking the ball to touch with at least one bounce from their own half.
The rule was used in recent Super Rugby tournaments and its primary intention is to “encourage the defensive team to put more players in the backfield, thereby creating more attacking space and reducing defensive line speed”, according to the sport’s governing body.
The other laws to come into force on a temporary basis from August 1 include a goal-line drop-out if the ball is held up in the in-goal area, if there is a knock-on from an attacking player in the same area or an attacking kick is grounded by the defenders in their own in-goal.
There are also restrictions on attacking players latching onto team-mates from a ruck and clean-outs which target or drop weight onto the lower limbs at the breakdown.
The final trial allows for a one-player latch before contact, but the individual must “observe all of the requirements for a first arriving player, particularly the need to stay on their feet”.
World Rugby has also moved to strengthen concussion protocols, with independent specialists set to review cases when Test players return to action after a head injury.
They will launch a panel of Independent Concussion Consultants (ICCs) to provide expert opinion on whether players are ready to return to action after head knocks.
The global governing body will fully fund the process for Test-level competitions, with ICCs asked to rule when players look to return to action 10 days or fewer after a concussion or on players deemed higher risk due to previous head-injury history.
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) and Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) will make their Lions debuts on Wednesday evening when the tourists take on Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park (kick off 6pm BST).
Ireland lock, Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland), will captain the Lions for the first time, while Tour Captain, Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland), is named amongst the replacements.
The game, which will be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports, is the second of eight Tour matches in the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series which culminates with three Tests against World Champions, the Springboks.
“It’s a quick turnaround from Saturday, but we’ll be ready to go by Wednesday night,” said Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland.
“I’m pleased we managed to come through the weekend’s game unscathed, and the boys have rested and recovered well. We feel like we’re slowly building, but, as ever, there’s still room for improvement in all facets of our game.
“Wednesday night is another chance for us to have a look at a few more combinations. I’m looking forward to seeing how the back row goes; it’s an exciting mixture and one that we hope will offer something a bit different.
“We expect another physical test against a side who are known for their power play and ambition.
“My congratulations to Tom, Josh and Adam ahead of their first starts in a Lions jersey.”
The Lions opened their 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series with an eight-try victory over Sigma Lions.
CELL C SHARKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787
![](https://www.hugerugby.news/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/hire-class-advert-Smyth369c-small-.jpg")
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #848
4. Iain Henderson – Captain (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales)
6. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
17. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839
21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
22. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844
Wednesday 7 July 2021. Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, Kick-off: 6pm (BST)
Marcel van der Merwe has signed on the dotted line with London Irish!
The experienced prop has put pen to paper on a deal with Declan Kidney’s side and will join up with his new team-mates ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season.
The 30 year-old South African international – who has seven Springbok caps to his name – joins from La Rochelle, whom he joined on a short-term deal earlier this year.
Previously, van der Merwe enjoyed successful stints back home in his homeland with the Cheetahs and the Bulls, before making just shy of 100 appearances at French Top 14 side Toulon.
Speaking about his arrival at the Exiles, van der Merwe expressed his delight, commenting: “I’m very excited – it’s a new chapter in my career.
“London Irish are a Club that are moving in the right direction, so it’s an exciting opportunity for me. The timing feels right.
“I’ve played English teams quite a lot throughout my time in France, so I know what to expect of the league and everything it throws up. I can’t wait to get going with London Irish.”
Director of Rugby, Declan Kidney, added: “Marcel is a key addition to the squad ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season.
“He will bring great experience and quality to our pack and will complement the existing players we’ve already got in the forwards.
“We’re really pleased that he has decided to join the Club and we’re looking forward to him joining up with us in August for his pre-season.”
3 changes for Boks
Lions make 3 changes for 2nd Test v SA
Ulster to play Saracens in Pre-Season doubleheader.
-
Pro141 day agoSharks sign former Wallaby & Munster 2nd Row.
-
Pro144 days agoEdinburgh Rugby appoint new Head Coach
-
Rugby Championship4 days agoWallabies wing leaves Australia for Japan venture
-
Premiership4 days agoEngland Coach John Mitchell joins Premiership side
-
Challenge Cup5 days agoHeineken Champions Cup pool draw for 2021/22
-
British & Irish Lions6 days agoLions team to face Springboks for first Test
-
Rugby Championship4 days agoBledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship Covid-19 update
-
Premiership1 day agoUlster to play Saracens in Pre-Season doubleheader.