Just hours before Ireland and Wales took to the pitch on Sunday, word broke of a late change to Warren Gatland's starting line-up.
New Zealand-born back Gareth Anscombe, penciled in at fullback, was out due to a tight hamstring and Liam Williams was in as his replacement.
In his pre-match interview with Martin Bayfield on ITV, Joe Schmidt was asked if he felt gamesmanship was being utilised by his fellow New Zealander Gatland.
Schmidt responded in the affirmative.
Undoubtedly. That’s one of the things that sometimes happens but you’ve just got to adjust and make sure you’re ready to go no matter who the opposition are.
According to Wales Online, the Welsh management have been angered by suggestions of deception by their head coach. Though the majority of this anger is apparently being directed at Martin Bayfield for asking the question in the first place rather than Schmidt agreeing with him.
Given the hullabaloo surrounding the use of dummy teams in GAA, rugby could probably do without its introduction.
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
