Wales head coach Warren Gatland has issued an apology this afternoon as the controversy surrounding an incident between England’s Joe Marler and Welsh prop Samson Lee rumbles on.

Marler referred to Lee as a “gypsy boy” during the Six Nations meeting between the two sides last weekend. He has since apologised for the remark.

Gatland last night attempted to draw a line under the incident, but instead added more fuel to the fire.

Asked for his views on the Marler-Lee episode, Gatland said: “Look, we have no issue. It was just a bit of banter, as far as I am concerned. And that’s the way that Samson said it.”

Using the term banter to describe the term did not go down well and today Gatland expressed regret for using the term.

“I don’t condone racism of any kind,” he said. “I apologise for any offence my use of the word banter may have caused.

“My intention was to take the focus away from Samson, a private individual, and enable him and the rest of squad to prepare for the final game of the championship. My comments were made following a discussion with Samson about the incident.

Gatland continued: “He believed Joe made his comment in the heat of the moment, he later regretted it and apologised, but Samson believes it wasn’t racist in intent and he accepted Joe’s apology.”

Lee stood by his manager, saying in a statement: “I would like to explain my point of view. I stand beside Warren. I personally believe the comments to have been intended as banter and accepted Joe’s apology on Saturday.

“Warren is fiercely protective of the team and his comments were made based on conversations with me and with the intention of deflecting attention away from me.”