Wales give moneybags England a £1.2m hand-off over Warren Gatland
England have been urged to do everything they can to prize the Kiwi from the clutches of Wales after their World Cup humiliation.
Welsh rugby bosses laughed off any suggestion of allowing their most successful coach to join their arch rivals.
And they are confident Gatland will resist any approach from their Twickenham counterparts, should they sack Stuart Lancaster.
But the WRU have slapped a £1.2million price tag on the coach, just in case. Any salary would come on top of that for Gatland who signed a lucrative new WRU deal two years ago that ties him down to 2019.
That is now looking a sound bit of business as Gatland’s stock has risen again after masterminding a way through the ‘Pool of Death’.
Ironically England also offered Lancaster a long-term deal through to 2020 but it is doubtful he will reach the next Six Nations.
Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson urged: “England should sound out Wales coach Warren Gatland along with his assistant Shaun Edwards.
“They are world-class, know the game inside out, have a long history of being successful at the very top level and, last and by no means least, are very much their own men.
“I know they are all under contract, but ask them the question, make them an offer that makes their eyes water.”
Gatland, below, joked with the media this week that England “couldn’t afford me”.
However the simple truth is, they could. England are the wealthiest rugby nation in the world, by far.
But WRU Chairman Gareth Davies is adamant Gatland is going nowhere.
Davies said: “Why would we even consider letting Warren go anywhere, especially England.
“He is happy here and we are very happy to have him.
“He has been hugely successful for us and has another four years remaining on his contract.
“Yes there would be a buy-out clause from his current contact but for us, it’s not about money. His service is something you can’t necessarily put a price on.
“But from Warren’s perspective, I know he is happy here and he couldn’t face the thought of not being welcomed back in Wales ….if he joined England!”
Gatland has already been on the phone to offer his support to Lancaster. But that is unlikely to save the England head coach.
And if being kicked out of your own World Cup by two of your biggest rivals is not bad enough – England could also be supplanted in their home by Wales this week.
Sam Warburton and Co could paint Pennyhill Park red. It would be as painful as England pulling up at the Vale of Glamorgan with Wales sat at home.
All four Twickenham quarter-finalists have the pick of four bases.
Wales want to stay at the Oatlands Park Hotel, despite the supposed ghosts seen by Dan Lydiate this week.
But there is no guarantee with the order of selection picked out of a hat.
A Wales source said: “Our first choice is to remain where we are but there is a real temptation to make Pennyhill Welsh though we’re not sure how the staff would take Sam and the boys swanning around England’s home.”
MATT LLOYD
