The Welsh Rugby Union faces crucial decisions regarding the future of its first-team coach, with the team struggling for consistency in recent years. Whether to stick with the current setup or bring in fresh leadership will be key in shaping Wales’ long-term success. They must consider factors such as playing style, squad development, and the ability to compete with the world’s best.
A coach who can rebuild confidence, improve results, and reconnect with fans will be essential as Wales looks to regain its competitive edge on the international stage.
A coach who can rebuild confidence, improve results, and reconnect with fans will be essential as Wales looks to regain its competitive edge on the international stage.
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00:00As we have mentioned, of course, that Warren Gatland has stepped down as head coach of
00:06the Welsh national rugby team. Of course, Matt Sherratt is taking charge of them for
00:11the Six Nations, the remainder of the Six Nations, on a temporary basis. But following
00:16that, who comes in for Wales? Because, of course, as a rugby nation, they are in quite
00:22the state, record number of losses in a row. Matt Sherratt, maybe, maybe he could steady
00:27the ship towards the end of the Six Nations, but that would realistically only paper over
00:31the cracks that exist at Wales currently. So, what can be done and who can come in to
00:39not only steady the ship after Matt Sherratt departs, but also revitalise Wales, make them
00:45a great rugby nation once again, because that in itself is quite the ask, isn't it?
00:49Yeah, it really is. And, you know, it's important to point out that Wales just, you know, six
00:55years ago, 2019, were one of the top, top rugby nations in the world, you know, reached
01:00that World Cup semi-final. We're absolutely fantastic throughout the tournaments building
01:04up to that. And now to go with a record 14 test defeats in a row, you know, replacing
01:10that and the job of rebuilding Wales is both tough and, you know, an attractive proposition
01:16at the same time. You have to see it as that, you know, this is a real chance for a coach
01:21to come in and grab it by the scruff of the neck and get Wales back to the very best.
01:26And, you know, as you mentioned, as we've mentioned multiple times, they are a rugby
01:30nation, Wales. It's the most important sport in the country and it's something so many
01:36thousands of people care about. And it's a massive job. So, yeah, you know, you're looking
01:42at a few names linked with the job, Simon Easterby from Ireland, Glasgow Warriors boss
01:48Franco Smith, Australian Michael Chaker. Now, there's a lot of, you know, echoes going
01:55on in the Welsh Rugby Union in terms of they do have the money to appoint a high-class
02:01replacement. Abbie Tierney, the CEO, has said that they hope that the new head coach will
02:07be in by the summer, by the time they go to Japan. You know, one that stands out for me
02:12is Simon Easterby. I think it's not just his impressive coaching abilities that he's
02:18demonstrated. It's sort of his deep-rooted understanding of Welsh rugby. And I think
02:22that's the route they need to go down. They need to make sure they have a coach that come
02:26in and understands Wales. Wild Gatlin's achievements with Wales, you know, multiple ground slams,
02:32et cetera, were well-documented. You know, one criticism, you know, it sort of left his
02:39relationship strained with the regions that he left. Obviously, you know, a bit of a difficult
02:44one coming in from there. You know, they need someone who really understands how important
02:48it is to Wales. And, you know, obviously a new coach is going to be announced before
02:53the summer tour of Japan and then hopefully they can push on and become that top Welsh
02:58rugby nation once again.