Gatland loving the challenge to avoid Spoon

WARREN GATLAND is embracing the pressure that comes with trying to avoid the most dreaded prize in world rugby – the Wooden Spoon.

- Rob Cole

The Wales coach knows exactly how to stir his teams to win Grand Slams and British Lions series, but this weekend the target is to avert a first whitewash in the Six Nations for Wales in 21 years.

Asked how he was coping with the pressure ahead of the must-win game against Italy at the Principality Stadium, he said: “I love it. It’s a challenge.

“You find out about people in weeks like this. It’s how you respond to pressure.

“You discover who is going to put their hand up, who is going to accept the responsibility. You find out so much more about individuals when you are under pressure.