Neil Francis defends controversial Warren Gatland comments following backlash

CONTROVERSIAL RUGBY PUNDIT Neil Francis has defended his recent comments about Welsh coach Warren Gatland following a backlash.

The Western Mail was particularly scathing, suggesting the remarks were “an embarrassment,” after Francis wrote, in his Irish Independent column, that Gatland had the “intellectual properties of a tub of flora”.

Speaking on The Last Word earlier, Francis described the Gatland comments as “a throwaway line” and also pointed out that he tipped a possible Wales win.

“[I wrote that] Ireland are there for the taking and if Gatland gets his strategy right, Wales will win on Saturday.”

Elaborating on his most infamous comment, he acknowledged it was “probably a personal attack” and added:

“A few years ago, he said of all the teams, the Welsh hate the Irish the most

“There were 10 Welsh players in the Lions. I called it nepotism and I think I’m right.

“I do think he is a good coach, but he has a propensity for saying stupid things, and I’ve probably just matched him on that count.”

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