Warren Gatland stands within one game of perhaps the biggest achievement of his coaching career when Wasps take on Gloucester in the English Premiership play-off final at Twickenham today.
Victory would complete a remarkable turnaround in Wasps' fortunes since Gatland took over the then relegation-threatened London side midway through last season.
Gatland, Ireland's longest-serving coach in terms of the number of games played, guided Wasps from 10th place to relative mid-table security in seventh after Nigel Melville defected to their opponents of today. However, their steady ascent this season ultimately saw them finishing second behind Gloucester in the regular season, and victory over Northampton in a semi-final has earned them today's title tilt, which they go into on the back of 16 wins in their last 18 games, the most recent being in the Parker Pen Cup final last Sunday.
After their final run-out at Twickenham yesterday, Gatland sounded strikingly relaxed.
"We've already achieved a lot," he reasoned. "We've a trophy in the cabinet, we've a great final to look forward to, we've had a good season, we're back in Europe again with a number one or two seeding, and so this game is a big bonus."
That the title should even be decided in a play-off has incurred the wrath of Gloucester and rugby media alike, with Wasps growing weary of reminders that Gloucester finished 16 points above them in the table. Asked would he be conferring Gloucester with the true status of champions even if Wasps prevail today, Gatland remarked yesterday: "Is that what Ballymena said?" - a reference to the Ulster side winning the AIL play-offs after finishing third.
The notable signing of Welsh scrumhalf Rob Howley apart, Gatland has largely worked with the players he inherited, testimony to coaching skills that have consistently inspired improvement at any of the stopover points on his c.v., from Galwegians to Connacht to Ireland and now Wasps.
"The main thing was putting a structure in place with a limited budget, which I wanted to be as close to international level as possible," he explained.
Lawrence Dallaglio, a central figure today in what has liberally been billed as a grudge match, remains very much the heartbeat of Wasps.
"He has a great presence. He's single-minded and very focused. But he's also a leader you really admire. He really sets an example for others, and off the pitch he's not a prima donna," said Gatland.
A key figure in the transformation at Wasps has been fitness director Craig White, lured from Bolton Wanderers by Gatland following his (White's) release by the IRFU as Ireland's fitness director.
"His qualities have been immense and I was disappointed at the time that the IRFU didn't pay him just a little extra money to keep him on board," said Gatland.
Looking back on his own removal by the IRFU a year-and-a-half ago, Gatland admits: "It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I've really enjoyed my time here and I've loved the more hands-on involvement of coaching every week."
