Prince William has issued a rare personal message to new Wales head coach Warren Gatland and the outgoing Wayne Pivac after a remarkable day of change in Welsh rugby.
The Prince of Wales, who has been patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016, took to Twitter to welcome Gatland back to the role that he previously held for 12 years before leaving for New Zealand in 2019. It was announced on Monday that he would return to Wales and remain in charge for the 2023 Six Nations and Rugby World Cup, while he could even stay until 2027.
The heir to the throne also thanked Pivac for his years of service after the 60-year-old was relieved from his duties 10 months out from next year's World Cup in France following a miserable autumn campaign that saw Wales win just one of their four November Tests under his leadership.
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In a rare personal message, the royal wrote: "Thank you Wayne for everything you’ve done for @WelshRugbyUnion. Wishing you well for the future."
He added: "Wishing Warren Gatland the very best of luck for the run into the 6 Nations and Rugby World Cup," before signing off with his initial 'W'.
Both of these messages were also translated into Welsh and issued in a separate tweet. "Diolch Wayne am bopeth wnaethoch chi dros @WelshRugbyUnion," he wrote. "Dyma ddymuno'n dda ichi yn y dyfodol. Pob lwc i Warren Gatland wrth baratoi ar gyfer y 6 Gwlad a Chwpan Rygbi'r Byd. W."
Announcing the return of Gatland, who won four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams with Wales between 2007 and 2019, the WRU said: "Wales’ most successful and longest serving coach is back to take over from fellow New Zealander Pivac, who has agreed to part company with the WRU after the official 2022 Autumn Nations Series review was completed and approved by the WRU Board."
"This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport, but the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team," WRU chief executive Steve Phillips added. "Ultimately we are in the results business and we have agreed with Wayne that the current trajectory for Wales is not where we want it to be and we thank him sincerely for his time, enthusiasm, diligence and effort, which is unquestioned, as head coach over the last three years."#
After his appointment was confirmed, Gatland set out his plans for Wales in the crucial months ahead. "Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup," he said. "There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results.
"There will be new challenges as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first. We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow."
He also held a press conference on Monday night, which he opened by paying a classy tribute to Pivac. For a full transcript on Gatland's plans for Wales, here is the full Q&A.
Pivac, meanwhile, said he was "extremely sad" to be leaving his post with Wales, but accepted responsibility had to stop with him after a poor calendar year, which saw Wales win just three Tests in 12.
“It was a speedy review process post-Autumn Nations series as time is of the essence with the Six Nations fast approaching," he said. "Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped. As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.
“We have played some really good rugby at times, but needed to do that more consistently. However, I know that there is a strong foundation for the squad to progress to great things in the future.
In his final words as Wales coach, he added: "I would like to thank the players, coaches, management and the WRU for their commitment, support and hard work in my time as head coach and to all the people in Wales for making me feel at home here over the past eight years.”
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