New Welsh Rugby Union chair Ieuan Evans has insisted that the governing body won't be rushed into their review of Wayne Pivac's performance despite reports that England would also be interested in Warren Gatland.
However, he added they would be naive not to realise the danger of losing their former coach to their nearest rivals.
It's understood that were Wales to dispense with Pivac as Wales coach after a poor year that has seen them fall to nine defeats in 12 matches, Gatland would be the WRU's preferred choice after a meeting was held between the defeats to Georgia and Australia. A review will be held to look into the autumn campaign, where Pivac's future will be decided.
Read more: Warren Gatland 'open to taking charge of England'
However, England coach Eddie Jones is also undergoing a review of his own performance, as patience appears to be running out for the Australian. Sections of the fanbase and media have long been tired of Jones' distraction tactics, but it appears that those in the Rugby Football Union are now growing weary, with reports that they are also considering turning to Gatland.
The result could be a tug-of-war between the two rivals for the three-time Lions head coach. However, despite the fact that England could soon be circling for Gatland, Evans stayed strictly to the party line that the review would need to run its course before any decision was made.
"As Steve Phillips the chief executive has already mentioned, there is an ongoing review and we need to let that process run its course," said Evans in his first media appearance since being appointed Rob Butcher's successor.
"On the back of that, whatever that conclusion comes to we’ll make a recommendation on the back of that and act on it. That review has to run its course.
"We’ve got to let it run its course. I understand the speculation. If I was that side and doing what you do I’d be speculating as well, as everyone does. But the review has to run its course."
When pressed upon whether the WRU risked losing out on their preferred choice if they spent too long on the review, Evans added: "That’s the marketplace you’re in anyway.
"The two things are separate. We’ve made a statement and on the back of the review and its recommendations we’ll make a decision. What happens will happen."
Evans also confirmed there is no deadline on when the review will be concluded, although he insisted he was aware of the pressures that a longer process would bring.
"There isn’t a timeline on that really," he said. "But we understand the pressures and the timing.
"We’d be naive not to think about that."
Speaking in general about Wales' fortunes, Evans called the autumn - which saw defeats to New Zealand, Georgia and Australia - "disappointing", while he emphasised the need to be competitive at next year's World Cup.
"The autumn was disappointing," he said. "You can't hide away from that fact and neither should you.
"You look at it, you understand it and that's part of the review process. There's a fundamental reason why you do that.
"You act on the evidence and become an evidence-based decision-making body. You would look forward and ask what lessons have been learnt there.
"Every sportsman uses the cliche but it's about 'learnings'. The Six Nations is eight weeks away. It's no time at all. Not long after that, the World Cup starts.
"By the way, I think it could well be the greatest World Cup - it's just got that sign that it could be sensational. But we need to be competitive there and make sure that when we come back, we can judge whatever happens as a massive success."
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