Rugby World Cup: Warren Gatland turns spotlight onto rivals
Wales coach Warren Gatland has turned up the heat on England and Ireland ahead of their clash at Twickenham this weekend after naming his squad for the Rugby World Cup yesterday.
New Zealand-born fly-half Gareth Anscombe was omitted from the principality’s 31-man party after suffering an ankle injury in training last week, while wing Alex Cuthbert and flanker Justin Tipuric have been included. Gatland’s Wales beat Ireland 16-10 in their penultimate warm-up clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, and, having lost to France in Paris earlier this month, England also face the prospect of entering the World Cup on the back of successive losses.
“I am looking forward to the game this weekend between England and Ireland, because whoever loses is going to lose two in a row which puts them under a little bit of pressure,” said Gatland. “It’s a massive game for England and Ireland.”
Wales face Uruguay in their opening World Cup fixture at the Millennium Stadium on 20 September, two days after Pool A rivals England play Fiji.