I couldn't drop Alun Wyn – Gats (From Campaign Series)

I couldn't drop Alun Wyn – Gats

10:32am Wednesday 10th February 2010

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WALES coach Warren Gatland has admitted he couldn’t leave lock Alun Wyn Jones out of the side to face Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday despite his public criticism of him at Twickenham.

Wyn Jones was yellow carded by Irish referee Alain Rolland after he tripped hooker Dylan Hartley and in the ten minutes he was off the field England scored 17 points which proved decisive in their 30-17 Six Nations victory.

Gatland said immediately after the game it was a stupid thing to do and that he would consider dropping him because it had cost Wales the game.

He also said defence coach Shaun Edwards told Wyn Jones in the dressing room that he hoped he would never do such a thing again.

But Wyn Jones has retained his place against Scotland though fellow lock Luke Charteris and wing Tom James have been dropped, scrum half Gareth Cooper and hooker Gareth Williams both surprisingly keeping their places.

“I was asked a question and I made a comment,” said Gatland when asked about his public dressing down of Wyn Jones.

“I have said to the team the issue is dead and buried. Everyone makes mistakes takes and he and other people learn from that. Unfortunately it cost us 17 points, but he’s someone who delivers on most occasions and he’s got an opportunity to rectify that mistake.

“His is remorseful which is the type of reaction you want. He might have found himself out of the team, but he’s only 24, he’s just a baby and it will be a great learning curve for him.

“Perhaps he will look back and say he made a mistake but he learnt a lot from it and potentially how costly that can be.”

Gatland gave a frosty answer when asked how he could justify not making changes at scrum half and hooker. “Because I’m the coach,” he said.

He then added, “We weren’t happy with the way the line-out went, but the hooker was not solely responsible, I was pleased with the way the line-out operated though it’s an area we are working on.

“We are also looking at nine, and in some aspects we are pretty happy. A lot of people are calling for us to make a change there, but we have decided to stay with Gareth Cooper, with the option of Richie Rees who had a good impact against England.”

Charteris, who has been nursing a slight shoulder injury, has been replaced by Jonathan Thomas in a change of heart by Gatland who originally said he would consider him only as a back row forward, while Leigh Halfpenny replaces James.

“Luke Charteris is very unlucky, he’s worked hard but we wanted to get a bit more physicality and mobility into the front five and a bit more experience and leadership, we haven’t got Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees there,” he said.

Jenkins, recovering from a calf injury, is on the bench with Sam Warburton and Tom Shanklin also stepping up to replacement duty.

Ryan Jones captains Wales for the 21st time, joint fourth in the all-time list behind Rob Howley and Colin Charvis (22) and Ieuan Evans (28). Martyn Williams wins his 93rd cap, one behind Charvis and and seven behind Gareth Thomas in the all-time list while his 49th tournament appearance is a Welsh record.

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