Gatland rings the changes

[pompey-zebra]

Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins both out of the Wales coaching set up according to the beeb. Humphries and Neil Jenkins both staying.

[Sandydragon]

So who will replace them?

Might put a fiver on Howley.

[Wallpaperman]

WoL are suggesting Howley and Gustard are the most likely.

[Puja]

So who will replace them?

Might put a fiver on Howley.

Would you even be able to find a bookie willing to take that bet?!

Puja

[Sandydragon]

So who will replace them?

Might put a fiver on Howley.

Would you even be able to find a bookie willing to take that bet?!

Puja

Only a poor one!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Given the issues with attack and defence it's justified. Not sure Howley would be any better though....

[Sandydragon]

Given the issues with attack and defence it's justified. Not sure Howley would be any better though....

I suppose we know what we are getting with Howley, although perhaps he has developed with the more recent law changes.

I know little about Gustard but I can’t see Gatland tolerating a leaky defence so that’s probably his highest priority.

[Puja]

Given the issues with attack and defence it's justified. Not sure Howley would be any better though....

I suppose we know what we are getting with Howley, although perhaps he has developed with the more recent law changes.

I know little about Gustard but I can’t see Gatland tolerating a leaky defence so that’s probably his highest priority.

Gustard came very heavily rated when he joined England and was allegedly a big part of what made Saracens so formidable, but it's noticeable how much our defence tightened up when he resigned and we went to Mitchell. I remember the frustration of us building big leads against SA in our tour in 2018 only to throw them away and that all stopped when Gustard went away.

Could be that he just couldn't cope with Jones's management (likely why he quit) and we didn't see his best, but I will admit to not being impressed. He wasn't a success at Quins as a head coach either - they literally did better with no head coach than with him.

Puja

[ALunpg]

This change up was not a shock , and needed to be done to get a mindset change in the team quickly.
I am a little surprised that Humphries was retained, so hopefully that improves with the rest of the management team shake up.
Gethin and Jones should get opportunities elsewhere and could re emerge later , they will certainly not be the first to yoyo back into international coaching.

On the rumour mill of future replacement appointments :

I still have some concern about the potential return of Howley, but Gatland did see him as a core to his team,so will go with the flow on that.

I was interested by the Gustard option, but Puja's informative comments are something to ponder.

We do need someone to work with the lineout and around the contact even if its short term to get two people to shake it all up.

A last point that may be happening already , but interaction between the regions and the Welsh coaching set up is an absolute must to getting the quick turn around needed.