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2011 SIX NATIONS: SCOTLAND v WALES
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium Date: Saturday, 12 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One from 1635, and on the Red Button and online; listen on BBC Radio 5 live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Also broadcast on BBC America.

Roger Lewis gave Warren Gatland a new contract in November 2010Wales coach Warren Gatland has been reassured his job is safe after Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis insisted he does not face the sack.

Wales travel to Scotland on Saturday bidding to end an eight-match winless run following their opening Six Nations defeat to England in Cardiff on Friday.

Lewis said: "This is a time for cool heads and certainly not to chop heads.

"At the top of the WRU we believe we have the right people in place with the right skills and experiences."

Gatland, a Heineken Cup winner with London Wasps in 2004, inspired Wales to the 2008 Grand Slam in his first campaign as national team coach but current Welsh form is poor.

Wales have not tasted victory since their final Six Nations game of last season when Gatland's men beat Italy 33-10.

The 2011 Six Nations campaign starts the preparations for this autumn's Rugby World Cup and Wales do have an unfortunate habit of parting company with coaches in the build-up to international rugby's showpiece tournament.

And Gatland has come under increasing pressure since Wales' disappointing performance in their Six Nations curtain-raising 16-19 defeat by England at the Millennium Stadium on Friday.

No-one is making excuses, it is up to all of us in the WRU to front up to this together and move forward
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis

The WRU backed Gatland by handing him a four-year contract extension in October and Lewis is adamant the New Zealander should be given more time to stop one of the worst sequences of results in the country's history.

"Our coaching team know what is required to win Grand Slams and European Cups as well as how to face defeat," Lewis told the Daily Telegraph.

"To gain respect we first need self-respect and to do that we all need to take responsibility.

"No-one is making excuses, it is up to all of us in the WRU to front up to this together and move forward."

Gatland has admitted he expects the sack should he not guide Wales to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

Wales share a tricky Pool D with Samoa, Namibia, 2007 World Cup nemesis Fiji and world champions South Africa when Gatland takes his team to his native New Zealand for September's showpiece.

Gatland has only won twice in his last 14 Wales internationals but signed a contract extension which would make the 47-year-old Welsh rugby's longest-serving national coach should he remain until 2015.

But WRU chief Lewis conceded Gatland has a release clause in his new and improved contract that he could leave his post as Wales coach should either party want a change with the next four years.

Agences de presses

Labels: Backed, coach, Gatland, Nations, Wales, Warren

{ 1:57pm UK, Sunday February 06, 2011

Ian Dovaston, sports correspondent, in Doha

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Despite claims to the contrary, the ICC's chief executive maintained the punishments meted out to Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were "not lenient by any stretch of the imagination".

Mr Lorgat told a press conference in Doha he felt "sadness that we had to go through such an ordeal" but was "satisfied that the sanctions are severe enough".

Amir, 18, was banned from playing for five years, while 26-year-old former captain Salman Butt was banned given 10 years with five suspended. Mohammad Asif, 28, was given seven years with two suspended.

The sentences were imposed by an independent panel after the trio were found guilty of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's last August.

Amir throws a `no-ball` during fourth Test against England (Pic: Sky Sports)

"I believe the sanctions are appropriate," said Mr Lorgat, adding: "We worked extremely hard for the past six months and are pleased to close it before our World Cup."

Earlier one of the judging panel, Sharad Rao, told Sky News: "You are to look at it in light of the fact that it's not a match-fixing, it's a spot-fixing which does not actually affect the results at all."

Mr Lorgat agreed with that sentiment and suggested that 'zero tolerance' did not necessarily mean life bans from the sport.

He believes after initially being tarnished, the reputation of cricket had improved because of the speed of the ICC's response. He does not believe fixing is widespread.

Given he is now 28, fast bowler Asif may never play for his country again

"We've demonstrated that we will do everything that we need to do to ensure that the sport is free of corruption," he said.

The organisation has yet to receive the detailed judgment from the panel, which may suggest a reduction of the minimum sanction for spot-fixing from five years.

"Whatever learning and recommendations come out, we will consider it," said Mr Lorgat.

Meanwhile, Amir, in an interview with Pakistan's Geo TV, said Saturday was "the saddest day of my life". He continues to maintain his innocence.

Agences de presses

Labels: Backed, Chief, Cricket, SpotFixing