Warren Gatland’s time as Wales head coach is up and the Welsh Rugby Union should look to replace their head coach in a search for new ideas, according to Sir Clive Woodward.
Wales’ 22-15 Six Nations defeat by Italy in Rome saw their losing international run extend to 14 matches, heaping the pressure on Gatland yet further.
England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach and Mail Sport columnist Woodward believes Wales’ latest loss – which saw them produce an awful display riddled with poor kicking, tactical inaccuracies and ill-discipline – showed Gatland has now run out of road.
‘There comes a moment as an international coach when you know you can do no more and that your time is up. Gatland has reached that moment with Wales,’ Woodward said.
‘And I think deep down, he will acknowledge that to be the case. Gatland is a truly great coach and his first spell with Wales was littered with trophies.
‘Gatland’s loyalty to Wales is evident in how he is sticking to the project. But he will know now it’s time for a fresh face and new voice to try and take the team forward at the end of this Six Nations. There is a case too for there to be a coaching change now because Wales were even worse in their defeat by Italy than they were in their 43-0 hammering by France.’
Warren Gatland’s (pictured) time as Wales head coach ‘is up’, according to Sir Clive Woodward
Wales suffered a 14th consecutive defeat in their Six Nations clash with Italy over the weekend
Woodward said that ‘there comes a moment when you know you can do no more’ as a coach
After failing to win an international in 2024, Gatland survived a WRU review into his position at the turn of the year to stay in charge for the Six Nations.
Abi Tierney, the WRU chief executive, challenged Gatland to lead Wales back to more successful times this year. But that simply hasn’t happened.
After conceding seven tries in France, the haplessness of Wales’ display at the Stadio Olimpico was described by former fly-half and Mail Sport columnist Dan Biggar as the worst of the 14-match sequence. Biggar believes the WRU sacking Gatland now has to be considered. However, for financial reasons, that looks unlikely.
Mail Sport understands that if the WRU did dispense with Gatland’s services mid-tournament, it could cost them up to £2million.
That’s because Gatland remains under contract on a deal worth £600,000-a-year.
If Tierney and WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood begin searching for a new coach after the Six Nations, it is understood the structure of the deal would be that they would only have to pay out six months salary to Gatland. That is clearly more palatable financially.
That said, with Wales now facing the prospect of a second consecutive winless Six Nations, there will be a monetary impact on the WRU if they do end up finishing sixth once again.
With home games with Grand Slam-chasing Ireland and England either side of a visit to Scotland to come, it is hard to see where Wales are going to get a win.
Italy came out 22-15 winners on Saturday – former Wales star Dan Biggar described the performance as the worst of the 14
Gatland remains under contract on a deal worth £600,000-a-year having been given a vote of confidence last year
Such a scenario would leave Gatland’s losing sequence at 17 matches. The difference in Six Nations prize money between finishing fifth and sixth – which is calculated by end-of-tournament position and a revenue share dependent on scale of market contribution to things like television revenue – is understood to be close to £1m.
So, while it is right the WRU can’t afford to sack Gatland now, the flip side of that argument is can they afford not to?
Woodward said: ‘Gatland clearly doesn’t have the quality of player he did in his first spell.
‘But there also doesn’t appear to be a clear direction of travel in terms of game plan and playing style. Wales plumbed new depths in Rome. And that spells big trouble for Gatland.
‘The way things are going, he might not see the Championship’s end.’
A late penalty try and an effort from Aaron Wainwright in Italy meant Wales’ final margin of defeat was only seven points. But the full-time score flattered Gatland’s men.
Gatland insisted his team have to keep working to improve.
But one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, which is exactly what Gatland and his coaching staff are doing currently.
Woodward added that Gatland ‘clearly doesn’t have the quality of player he did in his first spell’
His side dropped to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings this weekend following the latest loss
The reality is Wales dropped to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings this weekend, falling below Georgia for the first time. Gatland’s players were left lost for words.
Centre Nick Tompkins apologised to the huge numbers of Welsh travelling fans in Rome.
‘You want to say sorry. We appreciate every bit of support they give us,’ said the Saracens centre.
‘We know it’s tough times at the moment, but they keep supporting and it shows what an amazing nation Wales is. We’re trying for them.’
Tompkins said he and his team-mates were ‘gutted’ and added: ‘It’s devastating. The frustration and disappointment around the camp is there.
‘It’s hard because the boys are trying so hard and it’s not quite coming off.’
Sacking Gatland won’t cure all Welsh rugby’s ills, but it is hard to escape the feeling a fresh coaching voice would be able to get more out of the team.
Wales’ attacking game plan is non-existent currently.
Centre Nick Tompkins apologised to the fans travelling to Rome, adding that he and his team-mates were ‘gutted’
Speaking on the BBC’s coverage of Ireland’s 32-18 win over Scotland, former Ireland fly-half and La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara said Wales’ decline was ‘incredibly serious.’
Ireland will arrive in Cardiff in round three a week on Saturday chasing a second consecutive clean sweep and on the back of back-to-back bonus-point wins.
O’Gara added: ‘The spine of their (Wales) team is completely lacking. Where is your starting point?’
