Gatland Demands Retraction Over World Cup Warning

Warren Gatland has called on World Rugby to withdraw their official warning for breaking the “spirit of the game”, in regards to the Welsh team brining players into their 31-man squad prior to their match against England.

Relying upon rule 6.6.8:

“Once a team has officially entered the tournament all training sessions, opposed or otherwise, must take place at agreed and nominated ER (England Rugby) training grounds.”

Gatland claims he sent World Rugby an e-mail stating his intention to bring in nine players from outside the squad. The ‘outside’ players were there for the sole purpose of conducting an opposed training session.

When the warning was issued, World Rugby stated “It is clear that teams know their obligations. Having opposed training sessions is fine, but they have to do that using players not included in their wider squad.”

The nine players the Welsh coach brought in, were in Wales’ 47-man wider training squad prior to the Rugby World Cup cut.

Now, World Rugby seems to have made it impossible for anyone to obtain a full copy of the tournament rules, so we can’t go over it ourselves and find out what it actually says, to ascertain whether or not Gatland’s argument is correct. (If anyone can get a copy of the rules, please send it to us via Facebook messages)

If what Gatland claims is actually possible, every other team would be exploiting the loophole. Ensuring players outside the 31-man squad are ready to go, and up to date with team plans if called upon due to injury.

Is it possible every other team missed this exemption?

I doubt it, one or two may have missed it, but not all 19 nations. Every major contender would have had a team of people going over the tournament rules prior to the World Cup, to see exactly what they can and cannot get away with.

So, what seems infinitely more likely? That Gatland and his management team found a loophole, which 19 other teams missed? Or Gatland got it wrong?