Warren Gatland has agreed to take charge of Wales - ending hope that England would parachute him to lead them to next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The vastly experienced New Zealander signed up for a return to the Principality after a review of Wales’ dreadful autumn led to the sacking of Wayne Pivac: “This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport,” said Steve Phillips, chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union. “But the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team.”
Gatland had been spoken to by the Rugby Football Union who are today meeting with Eddie Jones amid reports that the Australian is already resigned to the sack. The Kiwi would have made an ideal stop-gap replacement through to the World Cup in France, not least to give Steve Borthwick time to prepare properly to take charge long-term.
A decision on Jones is expected to be announced tomorrow. Gatland coached Wales between 2007 and 2019, taking the Dragons to three World Cups and twice reaching the semi-finals.
He left his role after the World Cup in Japan to return home to coach Super Rugby side Chiefs and also the 2021 British and Irish Lions in South Africa. Gatland said: “There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to coach Wales. This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby. A country which made my family and I so welcome, when we first arrived fifteen years ago, and all the time we were there.
“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup. 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.”
Pivac’s fate was sealed when Wales lost at home to Georgia last month : “Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped,” he conceded. “As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.”
WRU chair Ieuan Evans hailed Gatland as “Wales’ most successful coach”, highlighting his achievements in winning three Grand Slams and taking the nation to the top of the world rankings: “We are delighted he has agreed to return to us,” Evans added.
“We will of course need to afford him time and ensure he has the tools at his disposal to rekindle the success he has achieved with Wales during his previous tenure, but we are all very excited about the future.
“I would like to add my sincere gratitude to Wayne. He has given much of himself over the last three years, including leading Wales to the Six Nations Championship title in 2021 and we are extremely grateful to him for his dedication to the role.”
