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Warren Gatland: England have "so much strength in depth"

Wales head coach Warren Gatland plays down England's injury issues by insisting that they have "so much strength in depth".

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has urged his players not to be "distracted" by England's injury problems ahead of the Six Nations meeting between the two sides next Friday.

Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Ben Morgan, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Foden and Owen Farrell have all been ruled out of the encounter in Cardiff, while England boss Stuart Lancaster also has doubts over the availability of Brad Barritt, Kyle Eastmond, Geoff Parling and Tom Wood.

However, despite that long list of absentees, Gatland has insisted that the Red Rose have "so much strength in depth".

"We have got to make sure we don't get distracted by [their injury problems]. I don't think it matters who they pick [because] they've got so much strength in depth," he told reporters.

In contrast to his opposite number Lancaster, Gatland currently has a fully fit squad to select from.

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