Wales coach Warren Gatland has denied that his squad have been banned from having a good time during their stay in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup.

While the England men have come under media scrutiny among accusations of inappropriate behaviour and dwarf-tossing, Gatland observed that the Welsh players have been viewed as "whiter than white".

"There's been a lot made out about us being like monks and that there has been an alcohol ban. That's completely untrue," he is quoted as saying.

"We have had a couple of nights when we have gone back to the hotel and we've had a drink. And a couple of times we have spoken with [captain Sam Warburton] and the senior players about putting the curfew on when the players come back after going out.

"You can't keep a lid on everything. You play a night game and there's a lot of adrenalin and you say to players 'look go out if you are back in the hotel by 1.30 in the morning'. There is a lot made that we are whiter than white. We definitely are not."

Meanwhile, Gatland insists that he has taken no pleasure in the criticism levelled at his team's English counterparts.

"I don't take any pleasure - and I'm sure the Welsh team don't take any pleasure - on all that criticism that has been heaped on England," he said.

"So, I just want to say we are no monks, we are not whiter than white and we have had our problems in the past."

Wales will face France at Eden Park on Saturday for a semi-final clash.