Peter Jackson’s column: If ‘Gatland’s Law’ is not upheld there’s no point in being loyal to Wales

Warren Gatland‘s eponymous law has been further exposed by his refusal to rule Jamie Roberts out when the good doctor lines up for Harlequins post-World Cup. In that event, nobody will have a right to be more aggrieved than the No.1 contender for Roberts’ position, Scott Williams.
He could be forgiven for wondering how his loyalty for signing a dual Wales–Scarlets contract will be rewarded. Unless Gatland makes a stand, and there has been no sign of it, why would any ambitious player bust a gut and stay in Wales? No wonder the four regions are increasingly concerned.
Nobody inquiring into the Machiavellian politics of Welsh rugby has ever, to the best of my knowledge, asked Roger Lewis this question: “Have you retained your dignity?”
The star-struck outgoing chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union has never been slow to inform anyone caring to listen that there ought to be no question about it. Unsurprisingly, he used the well-worn phrase the other day on BBC Radio Wales.
Asked about his relationship with chairman Gareth Davies in the context of the Union losing the war waged by Lewis against the regions when Davies was running the Dragons, Lewis said: “Throughout all of the discussions, my position has been consistent about retaining one’s dignity.”
He also referred to “retaining dignity” at the belated signing of the peace deal with the regions late last summer, then made the most preposterous claim of all: “There has never been a raised voice. There has never been a cross word.”
And Kevin Pietersen is the best team player in the history of cricket.