Gatland says Wales are focused on rugby after allegations against WRU

Allegations of a "toxic culture" at the WRU were aired in a television documentary last week, resulting in the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips on Sunday.

An independent taskforce is to be set up to tackle the allegations, with Sport Wales - a Welsh government-funded body - advising on the make-up and remit of the panel.

The allegations have rocked the whole sport in Wales to its foundations.

"Last week, there was only one topic of discussion and that was understandable," Wales head coach Gatland said.

"This week, the message to players is we have a Test match to focus on. Rugby has been the only talking point and the players have been great in terms of that.

"It has been a bit of a challenge, but our whole focus is on Saturday.

"It has been quite hard, but the important thing is looking forward to playing at home in the stadium and hopefully everyone's focus in the next couple of days can be on the rugby side of things.

"We've got a lot to do to get some real support from the Welsh public and we will go a long way to doing that by giving them a really strong performance and hopefully making the fans proud."

Meanwhile, choirs have been banned from singing the Tom Jones hit 'Delilah' during their performances on rugby international matchdays at the Principality Stadium.

The song's lyrics include reference to a woman being murdered by her jealous partner.

In a tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon, Wales international wing Louis Rees-Zammit said: "All the things they need to do and they do that first¦."

Welsh Conservative Sports Minister Tom Giffard said: "The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under. Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.

"What people have been calling for is institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU, but instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing."

Gatland's first game back for his second stint in charge of Wales could hardly be tougher, with world-ranked number-one team Ireland arriving at the Principality Stadium as major Six Nations title contenders.

"I am comfortable with losing if we get beaten by a better side," he added.

"But what I won't tolerate from the players and what I expect is that when they come off and they look themselves in the mirror they can say, 'God, I tried really hard today'.

"If those fans can see those players out there giving 100 per cent, then that is all I can ask for as a coach and that's all that I think the fans can expect."