Warren Gatland reveals he’s spent more time pleasing sponsors than watching rugby
British Lions coach hopes he can finally focus more on preparing for world champions New Zealand this summer
WARREN GATLAND has revealed he has spent more time pleasing sponsors than watching rugby.
The Lions boss has the near-impossible task of defeating double world champions New Zealand this summer for the first time since 1971.
But he has faced the huge distraction of sponsorship events.
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The Lions will make around £150million from the tour and have 11 major backers ploughing in millions of pounds.
Gatland was forced to take a year off as Wales boss to give his 100 per cent focus to getting the team ready.
But the 53-year-old has been doing more prawn sandwich brigade promos than ever in preparation for the three Tests against the All Blacks.
Gatland told the Flats and Shanks podcast: “People will be amazed that the stuff that is keeping me busy at the moment is looking after all the sponsors.
“A number of days in the week is for looking after commitments the Lions have got to them.
“I’ve been incredibly busy during the week and then you try and watch a bit of rugby on the laptop going over games and then watching games at the weekend. I’ve been watching a bit of club rugby on TV or recording them.
“After the Six Nations there will be a few important games before we narrow down and finalise the squad.”
Gatland has already checked in with Ireland boss Joe Schmidt to watch his side train.
Next week he will visit Eddie Jones and England going through their paces at Pennyhill Park ahead of their huge game against Scotland.
Gatland said: “I found from 2013 that certain teams do things differently.
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“England and Wales are quite similar in how they train with double sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.
"Ireland are a bit different and might train for a bit longer.
“It’s about their bodies coping with demands. We had to pull back a bit in 2013.
“I’ll try and get a little bit of information about GPS numbers and volumes of training during the week.
“That information is powerful for me, because when we go to New Zealand we try and replicate stuff and not overload players.”
Gatland has just 49 days to fine-tune who he will take, naming his squad on April 19.
He is also eyeing either outgoing Scotland boss Vern Cotter or incoming one Gregor Townsend for his backroom staff.