Warren Gatland has revealed the extent of the injury to his son which prompted Wales’ head coach to head home to New Zealand to offer support.
Bryn Gatland suffered a serious foot problem during an incident in the Highlanders’ 52-0 Super Rugby win over Sunwolves in Tokyo. His coach Mark Hammett revealed afterwards the talented fly-half had “broken at least two of the metatarsals, done his ligaments and displaced something”.
But, a fortnight on, the news is positive.
“Bryn had an operation yesterday,” said Warren Gatland.
“It was a similar injury to the one Jonathan Davies picked up playing for Wales about 18 months ago.
“The surgeon is really happy with how the operation went.
“Bryn will be out for about five months.”
Jonathan Davies smashed a foot playing for Wales against Australia in 2017. He needed an extended spell on the sidelines but has since returned for the Scarlets and for Wales.
The incident involving Gatland junior two weeks ago looked a frightening one, with his foot trapped under bodies after he had been trying to claim a turnover.
His dad subsequently announced Wales’ World Cup training squad, then flew to the other side of the world to assess the situation and be with his son.
“It was just an opportunity for me to head back and see what was happening,” said Wales' coach, who has always made clear to his players that their families come first.
“People made a big thing about it.
“It was just a case that he needed an operation and I returned home.”
Gatland the elder has been in the news himself this week amid reports he's negotiated a deal to coach the Lions in South Africa in 2021.
No contract has yet been signed, but terms are said to have been agreed by both parties for the New Zealander to guide the best of British and Irish rugby for a third time.
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Back in 2017, he had indicated he wouldn’t coach the tourists again after the trip to New Zealand which saw Kiwi press negativity and criticism from Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien.
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But the Lions inflicted the first home defeat on the All Blacks in 48 Tests and were widely applauded after an epic series that ended in a draw.
Since then Kiwi’s stock has risen further with a third Six Nations Grand Slam with Wales.
He becomes a free agent after the World Cup and is likely to take on the Lions role a year out from the tour.
It means he will complete the set of Lions tour destinations following a series win against Australia in 2013 and the squared series in New Zealand.
