Warren Gatland took England defence coach Andy Farrell on the British and Irish Lions tour with him so he could get an insight into how Wales’ Six Nations rivals will prepare for the World Cup clash between the sides.
Gatland surprised many by choosing Farrell, rather than his Wales assistant Shaun Edwards, to go to Australia earlier this year.
Talking to the Western Mail, Gatland revealed he had two main reasons for making the decision.
He said: “I made it, a little bit selfishly, it was a chance for me to bring in someone who I had not worked with in the past, in terms of Andy Farrell, who was well regarded by anyone who I spoke to.
“It doesn’t take away from the respect I have for Shaun as a coach, but it was good from that aspect to work with somebody else. I have a huge amount of respect for Shaun.
“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.”
Wales and England are in Pool A for the 2015 World Cup, along with two qualifying teams.
Phillips apology
Wales and Bayonne scrum-half Mike Phillips has apologised to fans after he was alleged to have attended a video analysis session while drunk.
The 31-year-old faced disciplinary action from the Top 14 club along with team-mates Dwayne Haare and Stephen Brett after apparently being intoxicated when the squad met on October 11, the morning after Grenoble had been defeated 37-6 in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Phillips, who had not commented on the matter which received widespread report in the media, broke his silence on Twitter on Thursday night.
He said: “Sorry to all the fans of Bayonne for this situation, I agree wholeheartedly with the team... good luck.”