Gatland Has A Pop At Eddie Jones & Joe Schmidt Following Series Draw

Warren Gatland has had a cheeky pop at Six Nations rivals Eddie Jones and Joe Schmidt.

The Lions head coach has suggested that the famous touring side would have lost their Test series with New Zealand if he hadn’t been in charge. Jones and Schmidt had been linked with the role for many months before it was awarded to Gatland.

“I think, if anyone else had been doing it, we might not have drawn the series,” Gatland declared.

Jones and Schmidt were apparently both offered the role, but chose to turn it down to focus on their nations. Gatland says it was a job he could never walk away from as he wanted to test himself against the world champions.

“Trying to win in New Zealand is the ultimate challenge. I thought it was a hiding to nothing. It is one of those positions that you are offered and it’s very difficult to walk away from.” Gatland added.

“Once I was offered the job you can’t walk away from that sort of challenge, particularly someone like myself when you are competitive.”