It's amazing how people disagree over the same set of facts. An example of this was provided by England's most-capped prop Jason Leonard and his reaction to Warren Gatland's removal as Ireland coach. He told the Planet Rugby website (www.planet-rugby.com) on hearing the news: "You're joking. It's something that surprises me but it's something that I think has been in the offing over there. I'm sure he won't be surprised that it has come to this. I have nothing but respect for Gats as a person and as a coach and I have a lot of time for him. He has done a really marvellous job for Ireland.

"There is a lot of pressure on coaches, especially international ones these days, and in Ireland, it is no different. I know there have been calls for his head on a number of occasions and maybe he has just got fed up and called it a day. He's probably gone and asked himself, 'Do I need this anymore?' and the answer has been 'no'."

Leonard recognises that the Ireland team of today is so much better than the one that lost Gatland's first match in charge to France in March 1998.

"Gats has brought Ireland on in leaps and bounds in the past few years. The Ireland of today are almost unrecognisable from the Ireland of a couple of seasons back. There is no doubt that he will have left the team in a much better position."