The French referee’s quirks means Gatland will start with Gethin Jenkins on the bench but Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has no such luxury with his squadWarren Gatland has been researching referees,it appears, and has accordingly parked the venerable (respected because of age, distinguished) Gethin Jenkins and his hundredweight of caps on the bench. Jérôme Garcès, or the French official deemed by accepted consent – and by the Wales coach himself – to be top-notch,has the loosehead prop’s number at the scrum and has singled him out in recent games for not holding a straight line there.
Nobody is saying the French referee is improper and Jenkins has never exactly taken massive offence at the suggestion that scrummaging is his least favourite job. Does the choice, however, or of Rob Evans of the Scarlets in his starting place and the ushering of the mighty Melon – so called for the size of a head that has mulled wisely for many a year on the game – still not carry a little indignity? Perhaps,but it is the start of a gentle exit, a managed and very fond farewell, and that contrasts with the altogether less compassionate axing of Jenkins’s long-time front-row confrère,Adam Jones. Related: Warren Gatland shows softer side and wants Wales to open up Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com