Warren Gatland causes online storm with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso comments

Wales coach Warren Gatland is no stranger to verbal sparring in the build-up to a big test match.

Whether it was with the British and Irish Lions or Wales, Gatland has been known to ruffle feathers. Once again Gatland is making headlines, this time about England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

Widely discussed in the build-up to this year’s Guinness Six Nations, the Cardiff born Exeter Chiefs star was the subject of intrique as to which nation he would represent.

Qualifying for England through ancestry grounds the breakthrough star opted to declare for Steve Borthwick’s side and made his debut against Italy in round one.

This of course caused a stir on both sides of the Severn Bridge with Feyi-Waboso’s place at Exeter University where he studies medicine proving to be key factor in his decision.

Gatland was speaking to the media yesterday ahead of the big clash between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium where Feyi-Waboso will face the country of his birth for the first time.

Haven’t discussed the topic…

Discussing the winger’s choice to choose England, Gatland initially said, “We haven’t even spoken about it.” Before promptly going on to say, “Look, he has made his decision, so good luck to him.”

Further leaning into the topic, Gatland continued on to say, “There has been no mention of his name whatsoever.

“Look, Jenks (Neil Jenkins) has made that comment in jest to me in the room ‘oh look he has made a decision to play for England.’ and Jenks being the ultra proud Welshman he is said and it was a bit more aggressive with the words ‘stuff you’ if he doesn’t want to play for Wales then bugger him.

“I just think that it’s showing how proud you are to be Welsh. If you don’t want to be Welsh then p*** off.”

“I just think that it’s showing how proud you are to be Welsh. If you don’t want to be Welsh then p*** off.”

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland addressed rumours of any bad blood after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso declared for England. #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/Xj6FfRw7gM

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) February 8, 2024