THE Welsh star of a heartwarming real-life TV ad story has admitted he’ll also have an eye for England when the two countries battle it out in the Six Nations in Cardiff this Saturday.

Gareth Rees, who lives in Newent, and his brother David, have been seen by millions in Guinness ad ‘The Purse’, which tells the tale of how their late mum Olive left them funds to attend every Wales rugby match, wherever it is in the world.

They take her purse with them, complete with a Welsh dragon on the front, and raise a glass to their Wales rugby-loving mum who made them promise to go and support the team.

But while Gareth will be cheering for Wales, he’ll also be taking a keen interest in some of the Red Rose’s biggest stars, having played a major role in developing their talent as former England U16 coach.

He guided the likes of Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ben Youngs and Jamie George, and fears they may have too much on the day for the boys in red, who are 11 games unbeaten after seeing off Italy in Rome

So don’t be surprised if he manages a wry smile if Farrell kicks a goal or George scores a try.

Gareth has coached numerous future stars, including the current attack coach for Cinderford RFC, Clive Stuart-Smith.

And the proud Welshman said of British Lion Farrell: “Owen is one of a number of players I have coached in age group level who I thought would become top-class players.

“Owen was one of them in that U16 team, and others were Jamie George and George Ford and 17 of that squad have gone on to play in the Premiership. It was a great honour to do this.”

But just as Farrell’s father, Andy, is completely dedicated to his coaching job with Ireland, even when he has to send his team out to bash his own son in matches, so Gareth was completely true to England in his coaching days, even when playing Wales.

“When I was with England, I was totally focussed. When you are coaching a team, you have to be totally committed to them.”

Gareth, who has ‘spent half my life in Gloucestershire’ and moved to Newent in 2011, added: “Locally, I have worked with Phil Greening and Phil Vickery (both Gloucester RFC front row legends), Matthew Tait (Leicester Tigers and 38 England caps) and Clive Stuart-Smith.

“Clive is now coaching at Cinderford and players like that always stand out to have the talent to go far.”

Gareth has also coached or mentored the likes of England scrum-half Ben Youngs, plus Scottish stars Thom Evans and Simon Danielli and even the current England forwards coach, Steve Borthwick.

Farrell scored one of England’s six tries in their 44-8 demolition of France at Twickenham last time out, landing two penalties and four conversions,

And Gareth, 59, recalled: “I’d been involved with England international age group levels from 1991, and coached Owen for two years in the England U16s side and he was captain in 2008. The Rees family moved from the Welsh valleys to Swindon when their dad got a job on the railways.

And Gareth began coaching after he finished playing rugby and quickly rose through the ranks, including working with Gloucestershire County U20s, to gain international recognition – and now TV fame.

The ad is the true story of mum Olive’s wish that they follow their beloved Wales rugby team right across the world in her memory.

And that will see ‘the purse’ opened at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, this weekend for a drink at the big clash with unbeaten England.

But while he will be cheering for the Red Dragons against the Red Rose, he thinks England may win.

Gareth added: “If you take it on form after the two matches (so far) of the Six Nations, England must start as favourites.”