Gatland: They can’t afford me

Editor

Wales coach Warren Gatland quipped that England would not be able to pay his salary should they offer him a coaching job.

With England's early exit from the Rugby World Cup, Stuart Lancaster's role as head coach could be vacant in the impending aftermath.

When Gatland was asked about the possibility of applying for the position himself, the New Zealander shot a smart comment straight from the hip.

"I don't think they can afford me!" Gatland told the telegraph.co.uk.

While he was tongue in cheek about the potential England job, Gatland expressed much sympathy for Lancaster, who has faced the full wrath of the English media following the disastrous Word Cup campaign. 

"There's been a bit of assassination by the media," continued Gatland. 

"It's one kick [against Wales] and had they taken those three points I don't think all this would have been the same. I rang Stuart during the week and left a message, he texted back and said that he appreciated the support.

"I just hope he's OK and that he and his family are OK, that's more important than rugby. We're all in this together, so we understand the pressures of professional sport."