WALES head coach Warren Gatland said today he would not back his players if they decided to strike instead of lining up against England in the Six Nations.

Gatland insists he supports his squad’s cause amid an ongoing dispute caused by Welsh rugby’s professional contracts freeze, but would not agree if they opted to boycott the game at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday.

Asked if he would support that course of action, the New Zealander said: “No.