Howley steps up for injured Gatland
Wales coach Warren Gatland suffered multiple fractures to his feet after falling from a ladder at his home in New Zealand, the Wales Rugby Union confirmed on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old Kiwi was left with both his legs in plaster and requires surgery by the leading orthopaedic surgeon in Waikato to reconstruct his right heel – after he plunged three metres in the fall, as he was cleaning windows at the family beach house on Waihi Beach on Monday.
Gatland, who guided Wales to a Grand Slam in this year’s Six Nations, suffered multiple fractures to the right calcaneus and also a fracture to the left calcaneus and will require surgery to reconstruct his right heel.
“We all wish Warren a speedy recovery from the injuries he has suffered in this extremely unfortunate accident,” Wales Rugby Union Chief Executive Roger Lewis said.
Lewis said the accident was not expected to have any impact on preparations for Wales’ tour to Australia in June.
“Knowing Warren as I do I can reassure the Welsh rugby public that he has diligently put the people and processes in place to ensure he stays closely linked to what is happening in the game back here in Wales,” Lewis said.
“I have spoken to Warren on a number of occasions since his fall and have told him he will lead the tour to Australia unless anything unforeseen happens in the prognosis for recovery we are working to.”
The Welsh Rugby Union has also put plans in place for some senior squad preparatory coaching functions to be managed internally by Gatland’s assistants as he recovers from the accident during a family visit to New Zealand over Easter.
His return to Wales has been delayed as he recovers from leg injuries.
While in New Zealand Gatland will continue to receive information primarily from Rob Howley, Robin McBryde, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins as they observe and monitor squad players and potential players over the next few weeks.
Further information gathered by the Head of Physical Performance, Adam Beard, Head of Performance Analysis, Rhys Long and National Medical Performance Manager, Prav Mathema, will also be sent directly to Gatland.
Assistant coach Rob Howley will oversee day-to-day management of the coaching staff in Wales and will play a key role in liaising between the Wales based staff and the head coach during Gatland’s temporary absence from camp.
Team Manager Alan Phillips will keep the head coach informed of all other squad preparation issues.
Lewis has approved the plan for temporary injury cover and he has indicated that although there is no current requirement for any of the staff to be appointed caretaker head coach he and Gatland have agreed to recommend to the WRU Board that Howley would fill the role if required.
Although it could be several weeks before he fully recovers he is expected to be able to return to active coaching duties before his recuperation is complete.
