Wales head coach Warren Gatland is to leave his role mid-way through the Six Nations.
It comes after Wales’ 14th consecutive defeat, their worst run in history, after losing away to Italy on Saturday.
Wales Online are reporting that the Welsh Rugby Union are placing Gatland on leave, and have approached Matt Sherratt as a temporary coach to oversee the rest of the tournament.
The Welsh Rugby Union were due to meet on Wednesday however announcement Gatland’s departure is now expected to be made at Wales’ scheduled press conference later this afternoon.
Since returning to the Wales set-up in 2023, the team’s form has worsened. After a quarter-final exit from the 2023 World Cup, they finished bottom of the 2024 Six Nations. Gatland offered his resignation after losing to Italy last March but this was rejected by the WRU.
Speaking to CJS News, the Daily Mail’s rugby reporter Alex Bywater said the decision was “inevitable.”
“It’s clear that performances have been getting worse and even though it will still be a shock to the players, they seem desperate for a new coaching voice.”
“But it’s also not [Gatland’s] fault that his players aren’t as good as they were in his first spell.” Bywater added.
Gatland was appointed head coach in 2007, having previously coached Ireland and won three consecutive Premiership titles with Wasps.
In his first spell as head coach, Wales won the Six Nations four times, and twice reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. He also coached the British & Irish Lions before leaving to return home to New Zealand.
He returned to Wales in 2022 following the sacking of Wayne Pivac, but Wales have won only six of their 30 matches, piling pressure on both Gatland and the WRU.
Despite concerns over their form leading in to the Six Nations, CEO Abi Tierney expressed full confidence that Gatland would oversee Wales for the whole tournament ahead of their opening match against France which they lost 43-0.
It is understood that Gatland will remain formally employed by the WRU for a period of time whilst Matt Sherratt is brought in temporarily.
A full-time coach would then be appointed, likely after the end of the Six Nations, where Wales remain desperate to avoid a second successive wooden spoon.