Went to see him at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury tonight. He was certainly candid at times particularly in regard to the make up of the squad for the Rugby World Cup squad which looks like an 18/13 split between forwards and backs.

The back row is where the stiffest competition arises and of the likely five back rowers to go he mentioned Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty and interestingly Aaron Wainwright. He spoke in glowing terms of Wainwright. He then said that with Ellis Jenkins still out injured three players were vying for the final place. Those being James Davies, Aaron Shingler and Taulupe Faletau. So Faletau is far from certain of his place.

He also hoped that if one of his scrum half’s gets injured he hopes common senses applies and he is allowed to call up Rhys Webb.

I asked him a question about the four warm up games against England and Ireland which I think is too intense and could result in a number of injuries. He agreed and felt three games would have been better but that money talks.