Where do we go from here!

[normanski]

We’re at the lowest point ever in Wales rugby history. Just what do we have to do to climb back to some level of respectability?

1) Do we change the coach(es)? We have talented individuals but how do we get them to play for ninety minutes as a team in the current circumstances?

2) Our pack seem capable to hold their own in the set pieces but how do we turn them into gain line breakers in open play? Faletau’s return on Saturday showed just how much we’ve missed him. Rowlands seems off the pace - time for the youngsters?

3) Our backs have potential but are far too static just going backwards across the field with little or no penetration. Hardly anyone runs onto a pass now to get the backline moving. The Ben Thomas selection at ten hasn’t worked, will we bold enough to start rookie Dan against Ireland? The old adage comes to mind if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He has the ability to revitalise the team.

4) Our kicking game is nowhere as accurate as it should be and needs to be drastically improved, especially the kick chase.

With Ireland next up we could be in for another heavy defeat. It just doesn’t look good for us this 6N.

[Son of Mathonwy]

We’re at the lowest point ever in Wales rugby history. Just what do we have to do to climb back to some level of respectability?

1) Do we change the coach(es)? We have talented individuals but how do we get them to play for ninety minutes as a team in the current circumstances?

2) Our pack seem capable to hold their own in the set pieces but how do we turn them into gain line breakers in open play? Faletau’s return on Saturday showed just how much we’ve missed him. Rowlands seems off the pace - time for the youngsters?

3) Our backs have potential but are far too static just going backwards across the field with little or no penetration. Hardly anyone runs onto a pass now to get the backline moving. The Ben Thomas selection at ten hasn’t worked, will we bold enough to start rookie Dan against Ireland? The old adage comes to mind if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He has the ability to revitalise the team.

4) Our kicking game is nowhere as accurate as it should be and needs to be drastically improved, especially the kick chase.

With Ireland next up we could be in for another heavy defeat. It just doesn’t look good for us this 6N.

1) This is for after the 6N, but barring a miraculous improvement Gatland has to go (or be moved to a different job in the WRU). We have to have a new head coach. It's for the new coach to decide what happens to the assistant coaches.

2) Not easy. This seems to be a development problem - they should be trained to do this early in their careers and should be doing it week in an week out at the regions. Perhaps we don't breed them big enough here but I can't really believe that genetics would be so much better across the Irish sea. What we do now? Encourage them to run at brick walls in their spare time? We look better with Lake. One or two more carriers would probably transform us. (I would like to see what Ratti could do at 6. Where is Mackenzie Martin?)

3) in the short term we should transplant Gloucester's 9,10,12 into the team and build our backs play around them. If not Llewellyn then get Jonny Williams into the team. If we use the squad we have, I agree Edwards needs to start, Thomas and James outside him. Could we have decoy runners? Is that allowed or is it just too advanced for the Welsh?

4) Obviously less kicking than last time. Kicks need to be contestable. And if we're being beaten under that high ball then vary the tactics.

The scoreline is going to be horrible if we don't change things. It will probably be horrible whatever, but that means there's nothing to lose.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Oh please, let this be true:

WalesOnline have been told by numerous high-ranking Welsh rugby sources there is a break clause in Gatland's contract which can be activated this summer.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... t-30971959

[Graigwen]

From Wales Online just now:

"Warren Gatland is set to immediately leave his role as Wales head coach, midway through the Six Nations.

Pressure has been mounting on the New Zealander, who has overseen a disastrous run of 14 successive Test match defeats, with Wales now staring down the barrel at a second successive Six Nations whitewash and wooden spoon after a disastrous start to this year's tournament.

The WRU board decided to grant Gatland a stay of execution at the end of 2024, a year in which Wales failed to win a single Test match, and he was challenged to turn around Wales' ailing fortunes in the Six Nations before another review at the end of the Championship.

But after a nightmare start to the tournament, the WRU have decided to put the Wales boss on gardening leave and he is set to be removed as head coach with official confirmation expected today."

I believe this will turn out to be true.
.

[pompey-zebra]

From Wales Online just now:

"Warren Gatland is set to immediately leave his role as Wales head coach, midway through the Six Nations.

Pressure has been mounting on the New Zealander, who has overseen a disastrous run of 14 successive Test match defeats, with Wales now staring down the barrel at a second successive Six Nations whitewash and wooden spoon after a disastrous start to this year's tournament.

The WRU board decided to grant Gatland a stay of execution at the end of 2024, a year in which Wales failed to win a single Test match, and he was challenged to turn around Wales' ailing fortunes in the Six Nations before another review at the end of the Championship.

But after a nightmare start to the tournament, the WRU have decided to put the Wales boss on gardening leave and he is set to be removed as head coach with official confirmation expected today."

I believe this will turn out to be true.
.

Reported on BBC sport website too.

[Son of Mathonwy]

From Wales Online just now:

"Warren Gatland is set to immediately leave his role as Wales head coach, midway through the Six Nations.

Pressure has been mounting on the New Zealander, who has overseen a disastrous run of 14 successive Test match defeats, with Wales now staring down the barrel at a second successive Six Nations whitewash and wooden spoon after a disastrous start to this year's tournament.

The WRU board decided to grant Gatland a stay of execution at the end of 2024, a year in which Wales failed to win a single Test match, and he was challenged to turn around Wales' ailing fortunes in the Six Nations before another review at the end of the Championship.

But after a nightmare start to the tournament, the WRU have decided to put the Wales boss on gardening leave and he is set to be removed as head coach with official confirmation expected today."

I believe this will turn out to be true.
.

Good news. 3 six nations and a ton of cash have been wasted on this guy but at last we have a chance of moving forwards. Hope they don't rush the choice of replacement. Will Howley be caretaker?

[Wallpaperman]

Looks like Gatland is gone, we will need to wait for the announcement re the support coaches.

Franco Smith and Pat Lam would look to be good fits for Wales. I was also very impressed with Brad Mooar when he was at the Scarlets, albeit too briefly.

Mark Jones looks to be a Wales coach for the future, I would like to see him get more experience at the Ospreys first though.

I like Gatland and am sad that it will end like this for him, the 2008 grand slam and the world cups in 2011 and 2019 reflect very well on him. All the best to him for the future.

We all know that there are much deeper problems with Welsh rugby than the head coach, but Wales need to pick their best side, and they haven’t since the 2023 World Cup, so today’s decision is understandable. I had hoped that he would be kept on in some sort of overseer capacity, given his vast knowledge of the game, but there you go.

[Wallpaperman]

We’re at the lowest point ever in Wales rugby history. Just what do we have to do to climb back to some level of respectability?

1) Do we change the coach(es)? We have talented individuals but how do we get them to play for ninety minutes as a team in the current circumstances?

2) Our pack seem capable to hold their own in the set pieces but how do we turn them into gain line breakers in open play? Faletau’s return on Saturday showed just how much we’ve missed him. Rowlands seems off the pace - time for the youngsters?

3) Our backs have potential but are far too static just going backwards across the field with little or no penetration. Hardly anyone runs onto a pass now to get the backline moving. The Ben Thomas selection at ten hasn’t worked, will we bold enough to start rookie Dan against Ireland? The old adage comes to mind if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He has the ability to revitalise the team.

4) Our kicking game is nowhere as accurate as it should be and needs to be drastically improved, especially the kick chase.

With Ireland next up we could be in for another heavy defeat. It just doesn’t look good for us this 6N.

Re point 2) Rhys Davies and James Fender aren’t at the level that Rowlands was 2-3 years ago, but they might be worth a punt now. Fender looked outstanding before he got crocked a year ago, he hasn’t yet hit the same heights since his return, but is still only 23. I thought that Morgan Jones would be the man to come through, but he has never been a Peel type of player, and isn’t even in the Scarlets match day squad at present.

Re point 3) if we are keeping to the same squad, it has to be Edwards to start, although Ireland will be a very tough first opponent. Other than that Anscombe and Jarrod Evans are alternatives, and Ioan Lloyd is in decent form.

Re point 4), totally agreed. The kicking was awful on Saturday, it must have been the tactic just to kick the ball away. It just isn’t playing to Tomos Williams’ strengths either. Hardy and Morgan-Williams are both good box kickers if that is the tactic.

A gloomy day in a gloomy six nations for Wales.

[Wallpaperman]

Re second rows, I should have mentioned that Teddy Williams played well off the bench on Saturday. I see him as more of a number 5 type second row, rather than the lump that you need to replace Rowlands.

[Graigwen]

More press comment:

"BREAKING: Matt Sherratt approached

Big development. We are hearing Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt has been approached about taking over as Wales head coach for the rest of the Six Nations."
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[Graigwen]

Amid all this chaos, we must remember that our problems go much deeper than just the Head Coach.

[pompey-zebra]

Amid all this chaos, we must remember that our problems go much deeper than just the Head Coach.

Indeed and I fear those will take a good while yet to resolve. At international level, though we need someone who can get the best out of the players we have and those coming through in the near term. Gatland's approach to this clearly wasnt working, and change was inevitable given the state of the national side. But you're right, even if by some miracle someone comes in and turns the current crop into a competitive team, the union can't say " Wales are winning again, everything's ok" and go back to the status quo.

[Graigwen]

Sherrat is confirmed by WRU :

"Cardiff's Matt Sherratt has been appointed as the new Wales head coach to lead the side in their final three matches of the Six Nations.

Warren Gatland's second stint in charge of Wales has officially come to an end.

The WRU confirmed the news on Tuesday afternoon, with CEO Abi Tierney expressing her gratitude to Gatland for his service to Welsh rugby and calling upon the nation to back Sherratt as he takes charge for the remaining fixtures of the current campaign, against Ireland, Scotland and England.

"The WRU and Warren have agreed that making this change now is in the best interests of the Wales squad as it continues to compete in the 2025 Six Nations tournament," said Tierney. "We are grateful to Warren for all he has done for the game in Wales. He remains our longest-serving and most decorated head coach in terms of the silverware he has won."
.

[Wallpaperman]

Sherrat is confirmed by WRU :

"Cardiff's Matt Sherratt has been appointed as the new Wales head coach to lead the side in their final three matches of the Six Nations.

Warren Gatland's second stint in charge of Wales has officially come to an end.

The WRU confirmed the news on Tuesday afternoon, with CEO Abi Tierney expressing her gratitude to Gatland for his service to Welsh rugby and calling upon the nation to back Sherratt as he takes charge for the remaining fixtures of the current campaign, against Ireland, Scotland and England.

"The WRU and Warren have agreed that making this change now is in the best interests of the Wales squad as it continues to compete in the 2025 Six Nations tournament," said Tierney. "We are grateful to Warren for all he has done for the game in Wales. He remains our longest-serving and most decorated head coach in terms of the silverware he has won."
.

Interesting choice, at least it is a clean break from the current coaching team. His Cardiff team plays a totally different style of rugby to Gatland’s Wales. Best of luck to him, I wonder if he will look to change or add to the squad as he will surely have his own ideas.

[Wallpaperman]

The press conference is taking place at the moment. Abi Tierney said that it is up to Matt Sherratt who he appoints as assistant coaches, maybe some of the current back room staff will still be around. Not sure if that’s a good thing.

[Ross. S]

The press conference is taking place at the moment. Abi Tierney said that it is up to Matt Sherratt who he appoints as assistant coaches, maybe some of the current back room staff will still be around. Not sure if that’s a good thing.

Theres an old saying in NFL circles regarding assistant coaches

You're cleaning out the HC for a reason, why keep the assistants? Either they know whats wrong and were unable to implement it or have no idea whats wrong. You don't want either on a team

[Wallpaperman]

The press conference is taking place at the moment. Abi Tierney said that it is up to Matt Sherratt who he appoints as assistant coaches, maybe some of the current back room staff will still be around. Not sure if that’s a good thing.

Theres an old saying in NFL circles regarding assistant coaches

You're cleaning out the HC for a reason, why keep the assistants? Either they know whats wrong and were unable to implement it or have no idea whats wrong. You don't want either on a team

Agree with that. I think Sherratt will have to retain some of the current assistants for the rest of the tournament because of timescale but only those that will go with his decisions.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The press conference is taking place at the moment. Abi Tierney said that it is up to Matt Sherratt who he appoints as assistant coaches, maybe some of the current back room staff will still be around. Not sure if that’s a good thing.

Theres an old saying in NFL circles regarding assistant coaches

You're cleaning out the HC for a reason, why keep the assistants? Either they know whats wrong and were unable to implement it or have no idea whats wrong. You don't want either on a team

Agree with that. I think Sherratt will have to retain some of the current assistants for the rest of the tournament because of timescale but only those that will go with his decisions.

Might be hard to get good caretaker assistant coaches in who can slot in very quickly. Sherratt has a difficult job as it is without each aspect of the game being rebuilt (in about 10 days).

[Ross. S]

Theres an old saying in NFL circles regarding assistant coaches

You're cleaning out the HC for a reason, why keep the assistants? Either they know whats wrong and were unable to implement it or have no idea whats wrong. You don't want either on a team

Agree with that. I think Sherratt will have to retain some of the current assistants for the rest of the tournament because of timescale but only those that will go with his decisions.

Might be hard to get good caretaker assistant coaches in who can slot in very quickly. Sherratt has a difficult job as it is without each aspect of the game being rebuilt (in about 10 days).

Shh! Its my coping mechanism to believe we'll finally be shot of Howler

[pompey-zebra]

Agree with that. I think Sherratt will have to retain some of the current assistants for the rest of the tournament because of timescale but only those that will go with his decisions.

Might be hard to get good caretaker assistant coaches in who can slot in very quickly. Sherratt has a difficult job as it is without each aspect of the game being rebuilt (in about 10 days).

Shh! Its my coping mechanism to believe we'll finally be shot of Howler

I wouldn't bet on it.

[Ross. S]

Might be hard to get good caretaker assistant coaches in who can slot in very quickly. Sherratt has a difficult job as it is without each aspect of the game being rebuilt (in about 10 days).

Shh! Its my coping mechanism to believe we'll finally be shot of Howler

I wouldn't bet on it.

I may put a tenner on him being our next HC that way when the inevitable does happen I'll have something to cheer me up

[Son of Mathonwy]

Shh! Its my coping mechanism to believe we'll finally be shot of Howler

I wouldn't bet on it.

I may put a tenner on him being our next HC that way when the inevitable does happen I'll have something to cheer me up

Gatland was the big Howley fan so hopefully he'll be gone soon. Hopefully

[normanski]

I didn’t think Gatland’s reign would end so quickly but having said that it’s probably the right decision. He has been a Godsend for Wales rugby since 2012 but the time had come for a change.

But having said that I just wonder what Sherratt can achieve in the next few weeks. I hope it’s positive for a squad obviously lacking confidence.

[Graigwen]

It is not exactly a poisoned chalice for Sherratt, but it will be difficult for him to achieve anything substantial in this short timescale, without preparation. Unless the benefits of retention are clear, I think it is best to clear out assistants at the same time as the Head Coach. If the new man feels he has made a mistake, he should be able to re-engage assistants as they will not have jobs to go to and may be serving notice. With just a week, everything will be difficult. As usual, the upper ranks of the WRU could have managed this better.
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[Sandydragon]

Ok, so the inevitable has happened. Good luck to Sherratt who has a big job ahead of him, albeit expectations are pretty low.

I suspect that this will make it clear that whilst Gatland wasn’t coming up with the best gameplan for our current talent pool, the current issues are not all down to him.