Former World Rugby Coach of the Year Michael Cheika is the bookies’ favourite
ON A tumultuous Tuesday this week Matt Sherratt took over as head coach of Wales for the remainder of the men’s Six Nations Championship.
The dust has now settled on the end of Warren Gatland’s second stint as Wales coach and the bookmaker Dragon Bet has delivered odds on the front runners for the job.
But who should be appointed? The Cardiffian assesses the candidates and gives each coach a rating out of five.
Michael Cheika
Currently: Leicester Tigers head coach
Odds: 3/1
Cheika is due to leave Leicester at the end of this year’s Gallagher Premiership season with his contract expiring following a one year stint in charge of the East Midland’s side.
The former World Rugby Coach of the Year has been coaching since 1999 and is by far the most decorated of all those in the running for the role, winning silverware for Australia, Leinster and the Waratahs.
Cheika led Australia to their first Rugby World Cup final for 12 years in 2015 and brings with him 26 years of coaching experience.
Cheika has had both club success and, more importantly, has a very well established international pedigree.
Cardiffian rating: 5/5
Brad Mooar
Currently: Scotland attack coach
Odds: 4/1
The bookies second favourite is the Kiwi who has overseen Scotland’s attack since 2023 and has coached the Thistles into one of the most dangerous attacks in the world.
Mooar spent time with Crusaders in New Zealand as part of their staff during the start of their seven-year unbeaten streak.
He has also spent time in Wales in the past, leading the Scarlet’s to a quarter-final appearance in the European Challenge Cup and just missing out on a play-off spot in the then Pro-14.
He has spent time on the international stage as an assistant for both Scotland and New Zealand, but it is yet to be seen if he could lead a country to success.
And while Mooar has led club sides in his career, he has not tasted the same level of success as the other candidates on the shortlist.
Cardiffian rating: 2/5
Franco Smith
Currently: Glasgow Warriors head coach
Odds: 5/1
The nine-time Springbok is leading Glasgow Warriors in the BKT United Rugby Championship at the moment. That followed a stint as Italian head coach and then head of performance for all Italian rugby.
Smith would bring with him a winning history, with two National Championships of Excellence while at Benetton Treviso and two Currie Cups while in charge of the Free State Cheetahs.
On the international stage, Smith was part of the rebirth of Italian rugby, helping develop many of the talents in their current squad including their captain, Michele Lamaro, and number 10, Paolo Garbisi.
Smith’s titles at club level certainly make him an attractive option for the head coach job.
Cardiffian rating: 3/5
Simon Easterby
Currently: Interim Ireland head coach
Odds: 5/1
Easterby is minding the Irish national team while Andy Farrell is preparing for this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour. He’s a popular candidate to take over Wales.
A twice-capped Lion, the former Scarlets scrum-half has been with the Irish set-up since 2014 as forwards, defence and now head coach and is a big part of why Ireland are currently enjoying the most successful period in their history.
While on the coaching staff for Ireland he has been part of five Six Nations titles as both forwards and backs coach and he already has one hand on the trophy for this year’s competition.
Easterby is without question a great option for the Wales job.A Cowbridge resident, he is a fan favourite to take over from Sherratt.
So far he only has two games in charge of an international squad and although he has won both, that is thanks to the fantastic squad Farrell has built in the Irish setup rather than directly due to Easterby’s own prowess.
Cardiffian rating: 4/5
Steve Tandy
Currently: Scotland defence coach
Odds: 6/1
Tandy is the second member of the Scottish coaching set-up tipped for the Welsh job.
He is the only Welsh-born coach in the bookies top five favourites and has club pedigree in Wales – while in charge of the Ospreys he led them to a Pro-12 title in 2012.
A defensive guru, what he has done under Gregor Townsend in the Scotland set up has not gone unnoticed on the world stage with Warren Gatland naming him as the British and Irish Lions defence coach for their 2021 tour of South Africa.
However, like other coaches on the list, he is not as experienced in leading an national team.
Cardiffian rating: 3/5
