Where did it go wrong for Warren Gatland in second stint as Wales coach?
Picture the scene, matchday, 6 Nations, Cardiff, the bus ride towards Principality Stadium, the buses entering through Gatland’s gate.
The homage to Wales’ greatest ever coach will now have a different story to tell.
It will be a story of a perfect match, true adoration and a sorry ending.
Gatland’s gate left open, but Warren departs through the front door.
Warren Gatland's first tenure as Welsh coach led his adopted nation to four 6 Nations championships, including 3 grand slams, 2 World Cup semi-finals as well as the New-Zealander taking charge of 3 Lions tours.
On the eve of one of those championship grand slams, Wales had come from 16-0 down to beat France in Paris.
Gatland famously stated Wales were a team who’d “forgotten how to lose”. A statement filled with more dramatic irony than most typical Shakespearean tales. In his second stint as head coach, his side have forgotten how to win.
Where did it go wrong?
In October of 2023 a hattrick from Louis Rees-Zammit in a 43-19 trouncing of Georgia sent Wales storming into the rugby world cup quarterfinals off the back of a perfect pool stage, beating Fiji, Australia, and Portugal. Setting up a clash with Argentina in Marseille.
Wales led throughout the first half, leading 10-3 after Dan Biggar had struck after 15 minutes. However, the boot of Emiliano Boffeli dragged Wales into a dogfight and when Biggar succumb to injury, limping off after 73 minutes.
Sam Costellow was left to marshal Wales’ attack. 3 minutes later Costellow looked to attack of set-piece calling a loop to half back partner Tomos Williams. Nicolas Sanchez intercepted and secured los pumas place in the semi-final.
16 months later and Wales have not won another test match.
What has led to this losing run?
There is no short answer to the reasons behind Wales’ slip to a lowest ever position in the world rankings of twelfth.
Post rugby world cup 2023 Wales’ have lost 525 caps from that squad.
A large bulk of players who cultivated that winning environment including Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny and George North have left the international scene. Leaving holes in crucial positions.
Leaving behind a squad of players crying out for leadership and know-how in tight games, still yet to be seen on the international stage.
Ellis Bevan has half a dozen caps for his country and is yet to be on the winning side.
A lack of continuity
The response to the loss of experience has been noticeably poor and inconsistent however. With Biggar and North leaving gaping holes in key positions, a settled combination is yet to be seen in red.
Since the beginning of the 2024 6 Nations championship, Wales have used 10 different combinations in midfield. With 10,12 and 13 all being interchanged at will.
Add to this the non-selections of Gareth Anscombe and Premiership top try-scorer Max Llewelyn in key positions this championship, many have seen this as strange non-selections.
Many cited the reasoning of Anscombe's omission as strange, with Gatland quoting his age despite recalls for Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams.
Additionally, just 1 specialist 10 was included in the 6 Nations squad, at the time uncapped Dan Edwards, with Anscombe and in form Jarrod Evans both being ignored perhaps due to training restrictions.
With Cardiff’s Ben Thomas starting in the first 2 rounds whilst being seen as a 12 for club.
Alex Mann and Cameron Winnet were arguably the 2 shining lights in last year's first wooden spoon in over 2 decades. However, both are out of the picture this time round.
The regions
Welsh rugby's club scene has had a tricky past few seasons domestically. Since Gatland's original successor, Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets reached back-to-back finals including a title in 2017 (then the Pro 12).
In the subsequent 7 seasons, no Welsh side has reached the semi-finals of the competition. Whilst only the Ospreys have finished in the top 8 of the newly formatted United Rugby Championship (URC).
Culminating in none of the regions playing in the European Champions cup this season. Gatland has previously stated his belief that the top level of European rugby is a breeding ground for test level players.
A much talked about factor in the lack of success at regional level has been the funding. With the regions having budgets of £4.5m in 2024-25 whilst league rivals Leinster compete with £16m, and French giants Toulouse £14m.
However, in the 2024-25 season, there has been promise and excitement around the 3 teams (not so much for the Dragons).
With 2 Welsh sides (Cardiff and Scarlets) currently occupying the top 6 places. As well as Mark Jones Osprey’s recently hammering a strong Bennetton outfit 43-0 (the most important 43-0 defeat this season).
Matt Sherratt
Cardiff are sitting pretty in 5th place in the URC and will face a trip to Galway in the European challenge cup to face Connacht in the round of 16.
The man behind the relative success and Wales interim coach to see the 6 Nations campaign through.
Sherratt has perhaps had his hand forced in doing so (due to budgetary restrictions), however has blooded many a youngster at Cardiff who have become internationals recently.
The likes of Evan Lloyd, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin alongside the aforementioned Bevan and Winnet have gone on the play in red since Sherratt took over at the Arms Park.
Sherratt has instilled a belief in his Cardiff side, that over the course of this season have made the most tackles, combined with the best tackle success in the league. Coupled with the 4th most tries scored.
Stating in his recent press conference with Abi Tierney he wants his teams to be bold
“I want the players to be brave, where there are 50:50 decisions I want them to take the attacking one.”
Fond Memories but bright futures
Whilst Warrens second stint didn't emulate his first, he should still be remembered fondly, it was apparent that change was necessary, and that change brings a new dawn for Welsh rugby. A new coach to the top job. Who will enter those same gates into the home of Welsh rugby.
Tearney has stated that the goal is for Wales to be back in the top 5 of world rugby by 2029. Whether this is attainable is yet to be seen, whilst all of Wales's longs for a team who won't forget how to win.