Warren Gatland has revealed he was attacked by a sinister troll who managed to access his private mobile number.

After announcing that England captain Owen Farrell would miss next year’s Six Nations to prioritize his and his family’s mental health, the Wales coach revealed he had received “smart and bad comments” over the years. A person.

The messages, of which Gatland usually receives around half a dozen a year, were sent in September this year, the day Wales faced Australia in the World Cup in France.

“At first I thought the message was just a joke from a friend,” Gatland wrote in his Telegraph column. “I lived in Ireland and it was just a text from an Irish number. I didn’t think much about it. Did I give my number to someone and not keep the name? Did someone just walk away?

“To make sure I knew the messages were coming from a troll, I saved his number under the name ‘Irish d-head’.

The messages continued for years until Gatland managed to track down his attacker, who turned out to be the company’s managing director in Ireland. She decided to respond earlier this year, informing the man that she knew her identity.

The reports resumed when Gatland returned as Wales manager and continued throughout the World Cup.

After Wales’ defeat to Ireland at the start of this year’s Six Nations, Gatland received a message saying: “Are you having fun guys? Where is Delilah when you need her?

After the defeat to France, in Paris, at the end of the tournament, another message appeared. “Another glorious running mate!” There was a message that time.

This prompted Gatland to respond, making it clear that he knew the troll’s identity. However, before the World Cup match between Wales and Australia, he reappeared writing: “Matilda who dances the waltz…”

“Interestingly, I didn’t hear from him after our 40-6 win,” Gatland added in the column.

Although Gatland said the reports may seem trivial, he added that their disturbing nature made him wonder whether it was time to stop training.

He also revealed that his family had been victims of online abuse, and a comment about whether his son Breen, who plays professionally, would “wake up tomorrow” was “difficult”.

Speaking of Farrell, he said: “It’s a sad day for rugby and a sad day for sport when someone of Owen’s stature has to make the decision to retire from the international game to protect his family. It went too far.”