Espionage tactics at the Rugby World Cup a concern for Warren Gatland

Warren Gatland is “not surprised” that teams may well be attempting to spy on their opponents during the Rugby World Cup.

On Tuesday, The Telegraph reported that a leading tier one country had asked World Rugby for clarification around potential sanctions should a side be found to have spied on another nation.

In his column for the same newspaper, Gatland revealed that it has happened to him and is not shocked that other squads are already suspicious of having their closed training sessions being filmed.

The issue of drones

“I am not surprised that concerns have been raised about spying ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup in France,” he wrote.

“As a head coach you are always suspicious that your training sessions might be being secretly recorded, particularly when you are playing away from home.

“We use drones to film our own sessions, but it is hard to be sure that there are no other drones monitoring from long distance. The technology in cameras now is such that you could probably be a couple of miles away and able to discreetly film training away from security.”

Gatland is adamant that he has never resorted to such tactics and believes that using espionage can actually hamper the side doing it.

“I can put my hand on my heart and say that I don’t video opposition teams. I have received information on a Friday before a match but it can actually make your preparations worse,” he wrote.

“You are left facing the decision whether or not to tell the players or call a meeting so close to the game. You have to assess what the disruption will be if you start talking about information you have been given.

“We spend the week preparing our players to execute a game plan to the best of their ability and focus on our own strengths, not that of the opposition.

“You have to wonder about the focus and motivations of other teams who put time and effort into trying to get an edge through espionage.”

Too risky

Gatland also wondered whether teams might avoid spying given the risk involved and the strict security in place around the respective training bases.

“I would be surprised if any teams do try to spy on their rivals at this World Cup. The security presence around the team training bases is as heavy as I can remember,” he added.

“We have six security guards and there are police everywhere and I would imagine it would be pretty hard to spy on teams. There is also too much of a risk if you are caught.

“I do know that spying has taken place in the past by certain teams, they tend to do it when they are at home, but I would be surprised if those teams would risk being caught.”

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