- Wales suffered a 22-15 defeat by Italy and may end the Six Nations winless
- Warren Gatland admitted his side’s dire sequence of results is ‘challenging’
- Mail Sport columnist Dan Biggar believes a decision should be taken soon
Warren Gatland admitted Wales’s horror losing run, which is now at 14 Tests, has left him questioning himself and said the sequence is ‘challenging’.
The 22-15 defeat by Italy means Gatland’s side now look likely to end the 2025 Six Nations winless for the second straight year, unless they can beat one of defending champions Ireland, Scotland or England against the odds in their remaining games.
Gatland now looks almost certain to depart his role as Wales head coach at the end of the Championship next month.
‘There’s no doubt it’s challenging. You do question yourself,’ said Gatland. ‘You definitely feel the pressure as a team that hasn’t won for a while.
‘It’s not the easiest position to be in. But you have to be strong.’
Gatland’s post-game press conference saw him again stress how hard his team is working, while he also pointed out the fixes Wales need to make. However, the reality is that his team are showing no signs of improvement.
Dan Biggar insists Wales should consider sacking head coach Warren Gatland now
Wales’ horror losing run extended to 14 Tests after their 22-15 Six Nations defeat by Italy
The Welsh Rugby Union is unlikely to dispense with Gatland’s services in the middle of this Six Nations, but all the signs now point to him departing.
However, former Wales fly-half and Mail Sport columnist Dan Biggar told ITV that sacking Gatland now must be considered.
‘If you look at the games Wales have lost in the last 12 months, today was the poorest display in that run,’ said Biggar.
‘It is hard to say, but it is just not working. This team look short of belief and confidence. The curve has been downward. I don’t think anything is off the table. It can’t be. It can’t carry on.’
Gatland described the fact his team have dropped below Georgia to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings as ‘disappointing’.
He added: ‘We’re frustrated as a group of players. There is no one more disappointed than us.
‘We knew today was pretty vital for us and we’re pretty disappointed and frustrated.
‘I understand about professional sport. Rugby is about performance and winning.’
Mail Sport columnist Biggar said the dire sequence of results ‘can’t carry on’
Gatland now looks almost certain to depart his role at the end of the Championship
For Italy, this was a first home win over Wales since 2007. The Azzurri used to be the event’s whipping boys and they routinely had to face questions about whether they should be relegated and replaced by Georgia.
Now, it is Gatland and Wales who are in that position.
‘I don’t feel for them, honestly,’ Italian captain Michele Lamaro said of Wales. ‘We all have moments where we’re struggling with something. They are a very young team and might be able to turn it the other way soon.’
