Warren Gatland steps back into his role as Wales coach for the autumn internationals following his stint with the Lions and he brings with him what he believes could be some valuable information.
Gatland took England's Andy Farrell on the Lions tour as assistant coach instead of the man he had worked with as Wales head coach, Shaun Edwards.
He revealed yesterday that part of his think for this appointment was the belief that he might be able to gleam some information about England tactics as they have been drawn together in the same pool for the 2015 World Cup.
There was, I suppose, a part of me looking long term – knowing that Andy could do a good job – but also, if you are thinking you know what the World Cup pool is and knowing that we were going to have England in our pool, potentially it gives me a little bit of an insight into England and their preparations.
That’s a little bit of the cutting side of me. You don’t admit those things and that’s probably more of a reflective decision, saying what happens afterwards.
“There was no doubt that by us going on the Lions, we have given away, from a coaching set up and backroom staff, a huge amount of information, so it’s always nice to get something back as well.
