Rugby World Cup 2019: Departing Wales coach Gatland an ‘incredible person’

Warren Gatland is an “incredible person” and Wales will do all they can to ensure the Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash with France is not his last match in charge, says assistant and skills specialist Neil Jenkins.

The popular New Zealander is to leave his role as head coach after the tournament in Japan following a hugely successful 12-year stint.

Gatland will hope to stay in Japan for a while longer yet, with Wales looking to better the semi-final and quarter-final appearances they achieved in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

Jenkins has paid tribute to Gatland’s qualities not only as a coach but away from the training field as well.

“His record speaks for itself as in the results, the success, the togetherness of the team and the squad and the staff,” Jenkins said.

“Gats is not just an incredible rugby coach, he is an incredible person as well. He brings so much to this environment, it’s unbelievable, really.

“It would be incredibly sad to see him go, obviously. It would be nice if we could give ourselves another fortnight in Japan for him and for everyone involved.

“Gats is the same, no matter who we are playing, week to week. It is probably us he has to calm down and the rest of the coaches.

“He is an incredibly smart rugby man and knows the game inside out, and we will be prepared for Sunday.

“He’s been here for 12 years, and whatever he does, everyone looks up to him and understands why he does it.

“He’s a very smart operator, he does things for a reason and there is always a plan behind things.”

Good to be back in Beppu/Oita for the quarter-finals  Hyfryd i ddychwelyd i’r ddinas ger y môr. #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/86gpAxlZFu

— Welsh Rugby Union  (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 14, 2019

Jenkins also spoke of the difficulty the coaching team have had in curbing the enthusiasm of fly-half Dan Biggar, who sustained separate injuries in pool-stage matches against Australia and Fiji.

Biggar is expected to face Les Bleus in Oita on Sunday and Jenkins says the number 10 is chomping at the bit for the last-eight clash.

“Curbing him is very difficult,” Jenkins added. “He’s a competitor, full-stop. He’s a winner. He’s a very physical rugby player, he gets stuck in.

“He’s done everything that’s been asked of him constantly and consistently and he’s ready to go. He’s desperate to play. He’s world-class and he’ll be ready to go again, there’s no doubting that.”

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