Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney insisted the organisation’s search for a long-term replacement for Warren Gatland will not be held back by financial constraints and that she is confident of appointing a top candidate as the new, permanent Wales head coach.
As exclusively revealed by Mail Sport, Tierney on Tuesday removed Gatland from his position in charge of the men’s national side after he presided over a record run of 14 straight international losses. On what was yet another momentous day in Welsh rugby, Tierney appointed Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt to take interim charge for the rest of the Six Nations.
The decision for Gatland to move on was made by mutual agreement between the New Zealander and Tierney and there was no financial settlement or pay-off involved.
As a result, Tierney is confident she will be able to attract a high-profile candidate to the biggest job in Welsh rugby even though, in her own words, the game is at a ‘really low ebb.’
Sherratt will be in charge for Wales’ remaining 2025 Championship games with Ireland, Scotland and England.
But the WRU hope to have a new permanent appointment in place in time for the summer tour of Japan. Current Leicester head coach Michael Cheika, Ireland’s Simon Easterby, Franco Smith of Glasgow and Scotland assistant Steve Tandy are all of interest to the WRU. ‘The money is there and it’s in our financial plan,’ Tierney said.
Welsh Rugby Union chief Abi Tierney has insisted that financial constraints will not factor into their hunt for a successor to Warren Gatland
Gatland’s second stint as Wales head coach came to an end after defeat to Italy on Saturday
‘We won’t be choosing somebody based on their cost from that perspective. We’re not ruling anybody out at this stage. We’ll go through a really rigorous process to choose the right person. My phone hasn’t stopped with people who are interested reaching out.
‘I am not underestimating where we are, but for a lot of ambitious coaches the idea of actually coming into this position and making a difference and turning something around is clearly very attractive. And the brand of Welsh rugby and the fact rugby in Wales matters a lot more than in other countries is still massively attractive as well.
‘I am confident we can get a top candidate to come in.’
Gatland’s second stint as Wales head coach is now over. His position was untenable. Since returning to the job in December 2022, he won just six of 26 games.
Between 2008 and 2019, Gatland brought untold glory to the Welsh game, winning three Six Nations Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals.
At one point between 2018 and 2019, Gatland’s Wales won 14 games on the spin to briefly become the world’s No 1 side.
Unfortunately, his returning to the position has not been anywhere near as successful and it has ended with mirrored symmetry on the back of 14 straight losses.
His overall record as Wales coach across two spells is played 151, won 76, lost 73 and drawn two.
The result marked Wales’ 14th consecutive Test defeat, the worst run in the country’s history
Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt will take temporary charge of the team for the remainder of the Six Nations
‘Now is the right time for a change,’ Gatland admitted. ‘I’ve reached the end of this particular chapter, but I remain grateful to all those in Wales who have supported me, to all the players who have played for me, and to all those around me, especially my management team who have contributed to what we have achieved over the years.’
Gatland failed to win an international in 2024. But a WRU review into his position at the end of last year decided to keep him in position for this year’s Six Nations regardless.
Tierney said she had no regrets over that decision, insisting the review process had been ‘thorough’.
She also added she did not regret failing to accept Gatland’s offer to resign after Wales were beaten by Italy and finished bottom of last season’s Six Nations.
Sherratt, who is highly regarded in Welsh rugby circles, will be in charge of Cardiff for their United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht on Saturday evening before then joining up with Wales. It will mean he will only have a week with the team before their round-three Six Nations clash with Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Cardiff a week on Saturday.
Sherratt on Tuesday rushed from coaching Cardiff to a WRU press conference where he was unveiled as the country’s new interim boss.
He said he does not want the job full time and will return to Cardiff at the Championship’s end in mid-March. Sherratt’s first big call is to make a decision on Wales’ incumbent back-room team. Gatland has gone, but his assistants Rob Howley, Jonathan Humphreys, Mike Forshaw, Adam Jones and Neil Jenkins are all still in place.
Given Sherratt’s strength is working on attack, it is likely Howley will follow Gatland out of the exit door with the others remaining in position until mid-March.
However, the Englishman has ruled himself out of taking the job on a permanent basis
Sherratt could also make personnel changes to the Wales squad. Gareth Anscombe, Max Llewellyn and Jarrod Evans – all not currently in the Six Nations party – could be possible call-ups. ‘There was a mounting sense that it wasn’t working and something had to be different,’ Tierney said of Gatland’s departure.
‘Up until now, Warren has always felt he was the right person to take the team forward. He no longer felt that and when that happens, we’ve got to look for a new solution.
‘He said he felt it was in the best interests for Welsh rugby for him to go. I think he’s always put Welsh rugby first and that was his main driving factor.
‘It had become inevitable this was going to happen.’
After 43-0 and 22-15 defeats by France and Italy so far in this Six Nations, Wales have dropped to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings, falling below Georgia for the first time.
Tierney has tasked Sherratt with ‘bringing hope back to Welsh rugby’ although she admitted ‘there is no magic bullet’ and that significant change will not be quick.
It looks likely Wales will end the Six Nations with a second consecutive wooden spoon.
‘It’s at a really low ebb and we’ve got to turn it around. It’s the same systemic problems that have been around for a long, long time,’ Tierney said of the overall state of Welsh rugby.
‘What is clear is we really need systemic change that is going to make a difference and be sustainable for the long term. It’s really hard to do that quickly.
‘I realise people are impatient and they want to see quick change, but that is difficult.’
