Warren Gatland deserves more respect – Ken Owens

Hooker Ken Owens believes that head coach Warren Gatland does not get enough credit for his success with Wales and the Lions.

The New Zealander has led the Welsh to two Grand Slams and three Six Nations titles, while they also reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2011.

Gatland is set to take charge of his 100th Test when they face Ireland in the Six Nations next weekend and Owens insists that the Welsh boss has been hugely influential over the last decade.

"Both inside and outside of Wales, for some reason, he's always had to prove himself, despite helping transform Wales," he said.

"We've been right up in the mix and things haven't gone right always, but we've always been there or thereabouts and we are a very tough team to break down.

"We have won three [Six Nations] championships and two Grand Slams in the last 10 years, and he [Gatland] has won one Lions series and drawn the other.

"The New Zealand tour was the second-best result there in Lions history, and if you look at New Zealand over the past 20 or 30 years, they haven't lost at Eden Park and we got a draw there.

"He is a great coach, and his work with the Lions has put him up there with the best.”

Owens also praised Gatland’s man-management skills with the front-rower insisting that the New Zealander’s approach helps get the best out of players.

He added: "When we have been in tough situations, he knows how to get that extra couple of per cent out of you. He is a very good man manager. He has managed that and put a massive emphasis on the fact family comes first.

"If everything is fine off the field then all you have to worry about is the rugby, and he's great at that."