Gatland Takes A Swipe At Eddie Jones & Fires Back At Critics Over Welsh Call Ups

We’re still trying to get our heads around this.

Wales’ Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis joined the squad this afternoon following their Test against Tonga in Auckland last night.

Rather than look at calling up the likes of Joe Launchbury, Simon Zebo, Dylan Hartley or even Cian Healy, Gatland has shocked everyone by simply picking a bunch of Welsh lads because they were in the country.

Eddie Jones was among those to criticise Gatland, stating it’s only a 13-hour trip from Argentina, where England are, to New Zealand. Gatland has since fired back.

“I’ll let Eddie do his talking, he does plenty of it,” Gatland said.

With regard to the overall criticism aimed at Gatland across social media for the players he called up, the Lions boss came out firing.

“Does it devalue the shirt? I can see people’s point but we’re here to win a Test series.”

“Some of the stuff people have been saying puts a bit of a dampner on the tour.”