The end of the autumn has resulted in some major soul searching on both sides of the Severn Bridge.
Wayne Pivac and Eddie Jones are feeling the heat, with neither guaranteed to make it to the Six Nations at this rate. In fact, it feels like either still being in their role over Christmas would be something of a pyrrhic victory for either.
In this situation, with both sides struggling, there can be a tendency to drift into something of a pity party, with all involved on either side of the border insisting the grass is that little bit more dead on their own side.
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One English journalist wrote this week that looking into the possibility of hiring back Warren Gatland as a replacement for Pivac was "responsive leadership" by the Welsh Rugby Union, adding that their English counterparts were "frozen in aspic".
You would struggle to find many in agreement with that sentiment in Wales. Governance remains a key concern in the Welsh game beyond whoever is coaching the men's national team and some would argue "responsive leadership" isn't exactly a phrase you'd associate with Welsh rugby right now.
But while Wales and England squabble over who has it worse like two bald men going at it over a comb, leaving Pivac and Jones to simply wait it out for the end of their respective "reviews" to determine their fate, one man is sitting pretty in the wings, knowing the ball is firmly in his court.
That man, of course, is Gatland. Ever since talk of Pivac departing began following the defeat to Georgia, Gatland has been the logical choice as a short-term replacement.
He knows the players, has had success with Wales before now and is largely adored by the Welsh public. You can also throw in the fact that securing his release from his contract with the Chiefs wouldn't be too much of an issue in relative terms.
Granted, there is something a little desperate about running back to the man you have spent three years trying to move on from, but on the whole, it made sense, so it was no surprise to learn that he was the Welsh Rugby Union's preferred choice should Pivac go. However, Pivac has yet to go and there are now reports that England could look to the three-time Lions head coach as a short-term fix.
The Daily Mail report that Gatland is open to the idea of coaching England, which is no surprise given how he had often refused to rule out coaching Wales' biggest rivals.
But a tug of war over Gatland would hardly be ideal for any party other than Gatland himself, who can sit back and name his price for the 10 months of work ahead.
Options elsewhere are limited, only strengthening his hand. Ronan O'Gara is expected to sign a long-term deal at La Rochelle to keep him in France until 2027. Scott Robertson is perhaps the hottest property outside of Test rugby right now, but it seems that England feel throwing the Crusaders boss in before the World Cup wouldn't be fair on someone who will likely want to implement vast change.
There is also the fact that it seems like the New Zealand job is the one Robertson craves, with it feeling like Wales aren't really in with a shout as it stands despite his name being mentioned. Gatland appeared the highest-profile name on the list of contenders, while the likes of Brad Mooar, Steve Tandy and Pat Lam were also discussed.
It is increasingly feeling like Gatland would be the first choice for either nation should they dispense with their current head coach. As such, it's seemingly just a case of which review finishes sooner. Or, more likely, whoever writes the biggest cheque. Having flown back to New Zealand after concluding his Amazon Prime punditry duties, Gatland can just sit back and wait for whoever wants him best to charter him a flight.
One would imagine Gatland, as enjoyable as it will be to get a fair whack for a short-term job where he can't really lose, would like something a little more long-term. Certainly with England, where he would thrive off a full World Cup cycle. Perhaps less so with Wales, having been there and done that previously. He surely doesn't have the desire to take Wales to the 2027 World Cup.
And while the RFU may not have the desire for Gatland to be their man for the long-term, given the likes of Robertson and Steve Borthwick being viable contenders to take over at the end of 2023, he might feel there is a chance he could extend his stay if things fell his way.
Maybe that would tip him towards England, as would the chance that he could ruin his legacy in Wales with a return. Former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman questioned this week whether Gatland would be wise to return to Wales, given the state of the game in this country.
While many think he would be on a win-win coming back with Wales having fallen so far, the goodwill he carries only goes so far. Conversely, many Wales fans wouldn't want him acting as a sticking plaster over the game's problems.
The WRU wouldn't share that sentiment, of course. And the optics of losing him to their nearest neighbours wouldn't be ideal at this moment. Ultimately, when it comes down to Gatland's future, it could feasibly come to one simple factor: who asks him first.
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