Gatland questions Hartley’s steel

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has singled out hooker Dylan Hartley for criticism ahead of their Six Nations opener against England. The teams meet at the Millennium Stadium on February 4th and Gatland has stoked the fires by claiming that Hartley will face a stern test when he comes up against the Wales pack.

“He’s always got a lot to say, hasn’t he? Let’s see what he has got to offer and how he fronts up against us.” Gatland commented.

“England imploded a little bit against South Africa, and… I saw Hartley go to pieces [for Northampton] against Leicester” he added.

Gatland was incensed with Hartley’s role in two controversial moments in the Heineken Cup ties between Hartley’s Northampton and the Cardiff Blues this season. A clash between Hartley and opposite number Gareth Williams saw both men sin binned, while Hartley also gave evidence against Richie Rees after the Welsh scrum-half was cited for gouging the Northampton man in the corresponding fixture.

Those over at Bigfreebet will note that Rees received a 12 week ban last month which has ruled him out of the Six Nations and Gatland is hoping to gain revenge in the Six Nations curtain-raiser.

The former Wasps head coach continued to put the boot in, alluding to Hartley’s place of birth he remarked: “Some of those Kiwis crack under a bit of pressure, don’t they?”

England are expected to use the strength in their pack to try and dominate the game, a place where Wales are down on power thanks to the loss of Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones. England are not without their own injury worries however.

Tom Croft, Lewis Moody and Courtney Lawes have all been ruled out of the opening match of the Six Nations through injury, while Dave Attwood and Delon Armitage will be missing through suspension. England have called up Northampton forwards Phil Dowson and Tom Wood as replacements.

The tournament will be one of the closest in years and big free bet will likely place both teams as contenders for the title.