Gatland future to be decided by WRU review

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) bosses say the outcome of an autumn series review will determine if head coach Warren Gatland will be in charge for next year's Six Nations.

Gatland has led Wales to a record 12th successive Test match losses after Saturday's 45-12 defeat to world champions South Africa in Cardiff.

The Wales coach said he remains "motivated" to stay in charge but would speak to the "powers that be" and see what happens over "the next few days".

A review of the November programme will be led by WRU chief executive Abi Tierney who says it will be completed before Christmas.

Wales' Six Nations campaign starts on 31 January against France in Paris. Whether Gatland, who has lost 18 of 24 Tests since returning for a second stint in charge, is still at the helm remains to be seen.

When directly asked this question, Collier-Keywood replied: "I think that is subject to the review, and we have got to give the review a chance to look at all aspects of the performance."

It has been statistically the worst year in Welsh rugby's 143-year history as Wales have dropped to a lowest position of 11th in the world rankings.

Gatland's side have gone a whole calendar year without winning a Test, which has not happened since 1937.

Wales have lost 11 internationals in 2024 and have not won a Test match since October 2023.

"It's clearly disappointing," said Collier-Keywood.

"It's not what the Welsh public expects. It's not what we expect either.

"But you need to step back from this and think of it as a journey. Sometimes the journey is equally as important as the destination.

"It is a very young group of players and we have lost a lot of experience. There are no silver bullets here to fix this."

Collier-Keywood says he believes Gatland remains one of the best coaches in the world and insisted he was not the sole focus of the review.

"This is not a review of Warren Gatland, I want to make that very clear," said Collier-Keywood.

"This is a review of the whole performance of the WRU. Warren is going to fully participate and he's got an awful lot to give.

"The Welsh public would expect us to do a review and it's important we do not limit it to one aspect.

"Warren is an important aspect but this is a time, when he is a part of it, not in the sole spotlight."

Collier-Keywood was talking at the WRU annual general meeting where some of the clubs indicated they felt Gatland has shouldered too much public scrutiny.

"On reflection, it's probably been too pointed on Warren," said Collier-Keywood.

"He's the person that gets interviewed after every match.

"He's only human and I can only imagine how difficult that has been over the last couple of matches in particular.

"As head coach you are responsible for the performances of the side, so I guess that's what comes with the job.

"On reflection, as a WRU, we need to stand up and support him in this."

Tierney will lead the review with input from WRU executive director of rugby Nigel Walker, board member Jamie Roberts and president Terry Cobner.

The chief executive says she will collaborate with Gatland and his management team and there will also be external input from current and former players.

"We've got a number of rugby players on our board that will input into it," said Tierney.

"I've also had some ex-players agree to input into it. So There'll be a number of different inputs into it, not just me.

"I know how to do a good review, but I'm not a rugby expert so I'll be drawing on expertise for that. We're looking at everything, what's best to take Wales forward."

Tierney confirmed Gatland's contract was until the 2027 World Cup but would not confirm whether there was a break clause, which the Wales coach last week denied.

"That is not relevant and confidential from somebody's personal contract," said Tierney.

Tierney also denied the WRU could not afford to let Gatland leave.

"That is not correct," said Tierney.

"Not in the whole scheme of things, if it's the right decision we will work through that decision.

"Any decision will not be driven by cost."

Tierney accepts the review will have to be done relatively quickly with a board meeting planned for 17 December but does not want it to be a "knee-jerk assessment".

"We do them after every series, we are just recognising this one needs to have even more input into it from a usual one because we are in an extraordinary position," said Tierney.

"If there were quick fixes, we would have made the quick fixes, so it has got to be about what are the sustainable changes we can make."

Collier-Keywood also admitted the WRU would have to initially put in a temporary solution if Gatland departed.

"There's no way we'd be able to recruit a head coach of Warren's standing for the Six Nations given the time frame so we'd look to put an interim head coach," said Collier-Keywood.

Tierney added: "That's part of the decision. They're not all stood waiting in a queue.

"A lot of very good coaches are already under contract so that has to be part of it.

"What choices do we have available?"

Collier-Keywood admitted it was important they made the right decision and says the WRU were conscious of the losing run being extended.

"We've got some hard matches to play in the Six Nations," said Collier-Keywood.

"But equally we have some time with the players moving forwards and I'm sure they will have learned a lot through this Autumn Nations Series.

"We've had a few injuries which I don't think helped and we're hopeful they'll come back and Warren will have a larger squad to pick from, if he's there."