Warren Gatland dismisses Dan Biggar's comments as he refuses to listen to noise
Warren Gatland has dismissed Dan Biggar's comments that Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy is Wales' biggest game in 20 years.
Wales have lost their last 13 Test matches and are on the worst run in their history. Most experts agree Saturday's clash with the Azzurri in Rome is Wales' best chance of halting such a wretched run of form.
Speaking on ITV after Wales' 43-0 thrashing against France last Friday Biggar labelled this the biggest game his countrymen have played in 20 years, despite being involved in numerous Six Nations Grand Slam deciders and World Cup semi-finals.
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Biggar was alluding to the potential repercussions of a loss in Rome, with Gatland and his coaches likely to be dismissed and some players facing uncertain long-term international futures. But Gatland has strongly refuted Biggar's comments.
"No, it doesn't no," said Gatland when asked whether the clash with Italy felt bigger than Grand Slam deciders and World Cup semi-finals.
"We've been in some close games and unfortunately we haven't been able to get across the line. We know we are in a bit of a rebuilding phase so it's definitely not the biggest game in Wales for the last 20 years.
"It's an important game for us and we are well aware we've got some other tough games in this competition. We are desperate to want to get a win.
"That's the most important thing. It's definitely not the biggest game Wales have had in the last 20 years."
Despite many experts questioning Gatland's future as Wales coach the 61-year-old insists he takes no notice of the external pressure. "I don't see any of the external pressure," he said.
"I try to stay away from that stuff so it is just about making sure we focus on ourselves. If you absorb yourself in that I don't see it as being a positive.
"We are asking them to be positive and to have confidence and self belief. I look at every game at being really important."
