Warren Gatland not concerned about Wales' defeats to Ireland ahead of World Cup

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he is not worried about his side's back to back defeats against Ireland heading into the World Cup that kicks-off in Japan on 20th September.

Wales started the year with a Grand Slam during the Six Nations tournament but the results in the World Cup warm-up games did not go in their way barring a 13-6 win over England in Cardiff.

Gatland's men suffered 17-12 and 19-10 defeats to Ireland at Principality Stadium and Aviva Stadium respectively that saw them slip from first position to fifth in the World Rugby Rankings but the 55-year-old played down the outcomes of the warm-up games.

"There is no concern at all really," said Gatland.

"That's what these games are all about. We tried some things, different combinations and players.

"Now the competition starts and that's when we'll step up and be good at that. There's probably a little bit of guys making sure they got on the plane too.

"You hold a little bit back and you work on a few things,

"That's important. These are warm-up games under our belts, not a Six Nations match where it matters about winning."

Wales will face Georgia, Australia, Fiji and Uruguay in their World Cup campaign that begins on 23rd September.