The International Rugby Board is investigating into Warren Gatland's plan to consider cheating in the World Cup semi-finals against France. Its been revealed that Gatland had discussed with his staff the possibility of ordering a player to claim injury in order to force uncontested scrums.
During the time these allegations were made, Wales captain Sam Warburton had been sent off as had injured prop Adam Jones. The fact that they were consideing to resorting to such tactics shows the emmense pressure Wales were under during the match.
The IRB, which is reported to be alarmed by Gatland's comments, could now ask the New Zealander to explain his comments, which came in a press conference on Tuesday.
"We had already lost Adam Jones and we discussed in the box: 'Do we fake an injury to one of our props to go to uncontested scrums?"' Gatland said. "Morally I made the decision that it wasn't the right thing to do.
In what appeared to be a damage limitation exercise, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis attempted to defend Gatland by saying the coach should be praised for not doing what he could have done in claiming an injury to a prop.
"Warren Gatland should be applauded in this professional era where tough things and tough decisions are made, that he didn't go into that particular zone," Lewis said. The outcome is yet to be decided.