Rugby World Cup: Welsh team not bunch of choirboys: Gatland

Wales coach Warren Gatland says there has been no alcohol ban in his squad. Photo / Getty Images

The new generation of Wales players might have embraced all facets of professionalism more stringently than their predecessors, but they are not as pure as the driven snow.

Wales coach Warren Gatland yesterday said he had been amused to hear how his players had been living a life of unblemished excellence.

In a turn-up for the books, Gatland wanted it on record that his players were not as well behaved as had been believed.

"There's been a lot made of us living like monks and there's been an alcohol ban. That's completely untrue," said Gatland. "There has been no alcohol ban in this squad."

Gatland admitted that some players were abstaining from alcohol, but it was self-imposed, not a diktat from above. There had been curfews imposed, but that, too, had come from the playing group.

"You can't keep a lid on everything," Gatland said. "You play a night game and there's a lot of adrenalin so you say to players, 'Go out, but get back into the hotel by 1.30am.'

"A lot has been made that we're whiter than white - we're definitely not."

In Wellington during the lead-up to their quarter-final, Gatland made reference to his players being great ambassadors, which was seen as a none-too-subtle dig at England, whose off-field indiscipline endeared them to nobody, including team sponsors.

"As a coach I don't take any pleasure of the criticism that's been heaped on England," he said. "I know what it's like to be on the wrong side of the media in the past, so as a fellow coach, there's a lot of good friends of mine in the England set-up, I don't take any pleasure in all that criticism.

"But these guys have been great ambassadors for Wales in this campaign."

Gatland also moved quickly to quell any potential controversy around the All Blacks drafting Matt Todd into training.

"I spoke to Liam Messam when I was in Hamilton and he'd been training with the All Blacks as well," Gatland said.

"We're bringing in six players to train against us today. Sometimes when you're carrying injuries it's good to bring in some fresh faces.

"I don't have an issue with Matt Todd training at all with the All Blacks. There has to be some sort of perks to playing the World Cup in your own country.

"It's not an issue. If Richie does break down, they're just covering their bases."