Warren Gatland has criticised Irish rival and former colleague Eddie O'Sullivan for a lack of loyalty just days before the two coaches go head to head at Croke Park.

Gatland was axed as Ireland coach in controversial circumstances seven years ago and replaced by O'Sullivan, the man he originally appointed as his assistant.

O'Sullivan is seen in many quarters as the architect of Gatland's downfall and the sores of that episode are still not fully healed.

"On reflection what I didn't have was the undying loyalty you might expect from people within your coaching set-up," Gatland said.

"That is what we have got here (with Wales). Eddie is his own man. You have got to respect Eddie as a coach and the results he has achieved.

"It was a very professional environment we created in the Ireland team."

On Tuesday Gatland tried to deflect attention away from his personal duel with O'Sullivan - but these bristling comments will only raise the temperature further.

And they follow on from stinging criticism Gatland aimed at O'Sullivan in a weekend interview.

Gatland reflected: "The number of people who said: 'Don't touch him, don't go anywhere near him, don't touch him with a barge pole' was huge.

"But you have to back your own judgement about people and their ability. I did that and sometimes in life you get burned."

Gatland was on Tuesday trying to emphasise the positives of the situation and maintains that Ireland's loss has been his own personal gain, having subsequently led Wasps to three Premiership titles and a Heineken Cup triumph and then Waikato to the New Zealand provincial championship.

Gatland travels to Croke Park with his Wales team unbeaten on the top of the Six Nations table, one step away from the Triple Crown and in the box seat to win the championship.

"What I have learned is that you don't hold grudges otherwise they will eat you up," Gatland reflected.

"My ambition at the time was to take Ireland to the 2003 World Cup - but if it had not happened I wouldn't have had the chance to go to Wasps.

"When I left Ireland I had eight job offers in the space of two weeks and one of them was the opportunity to go to Wasps. That proved a great decision.

"I am quite happy with the way my rugby path has gone.

"I will always have respect for Eddie as a coach. He has won a few Triple Crowns and you can't deny the success Ireland have had under Eddie O'Sullivan.

"They have been a top five side in the world for a number of years."

Gatland has identified Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's chief threat and as a result he has opted for the steady, controlling hand of Stephen Jones at fly-half instead of the maverick youth of James Hook.

"In Ronan O'Gara they have someone who can direct the game and really hurt opponents. If we don't keep a tight rein on him it could be a long day for us," Gatland explained.

Jones will have a new half-back partner after Mike Phillips, who started the first two games and impressed off the bench in the 47-8 win over Italy two weekends ago, was preferred to Dwayne Peel.

The other three changes all came in the pack, with Alun-Wyn Jones restored to the second row in place of Ian Evans after recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the win over England.

Huw Bennett returns at hooker while Adam Jones regains the tight-head prop role from Rhys Thomas.

SportingLife / Eurosport