'But my confidence hasn't been dented. I think I've had a brilliant impact on Irish rugby.' Gatland revealed he had, in fact, been considering his position before the union's decision to dismiss him.
He said: 'If there was a right time to get out then this was it. I was thinking of getting out after the England game anyway, my wife and I had talked about it. I think three years is about right in a job and if you get a fourth year that's a bonus.'
Yet the episode has left the New Zealander convinced that reform is required at the top of Irish rugby. He said: 'Ireland is about the only country in the world that's still amateur in the way it is run - with amateur committee men telling professional coaches and players what to do.'
Rumours are rife about where Gatland will go next, but he is in no rush to commit himself just yet, even though his friend, new All Black coach John Mitchell, is among the interested parties.
Gatland added: 'I haven't made a decision yet and I'm not going to rush into things. I've had a number of approaches - there has been interest from the Premiership and the All Blacks have spoken to me. But at the moment it's just phone calls with people sounding me out.'
