By Gareth James
Warren Gatland has been told he had better start winning again during the Six Nations, otherwise his time will be up as Wales coach.
Gatland’s position has been under intense scrutiny after a dire autumn consisting of defeats to Fiji, Australia and South Africa extended Wales’ losing run to a record 12 matches.
It is the first time since 1937 that the national team have gone an entire calendar year without winning a Test and they occupy their lowest ever world ranking position of 11th.
A statement released by the WRU reveals that chief executive Abi Tierney considered “wholesale immediate change” as part of her review, before deciding that challenging Gatland to “change Wales’ fortunes on the pitch was the best approach at this time”.
Gatland stays. ✅
Warren Gatland will continue as Wales head coach for the 2025 Six Nations despite WRU chief executive Abi Tierney admitting his position had been “on the line”. #BBCRugby #Wales #SixNations pic.twitter.com/CT51Gfy4uo
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) December 20, 2024
However, Nigel Walker has resigned from his position as WRU executive director of rugby in response to Wales’ decline.
“I’ve had a number of very honest conversations with Warren and I will make no secret of the fact that his position was on the line as we undertook our review,” Tierney said.
“Further than that, like any head coach in any sport, he knows the security of his position is directly related to the performances of the team and that this is a situation that will continue to intensify.
“There is a tough challenge ahead but Warren is more than up for that challenge. We also believe he is equal to it.”
Gatland is contracted until the 2027 World Cup but with a success rate of only 25 per cent for his second spell as head coach, he has been given the Six Nations to instigate a revival.
Tierney will assess Wales’ performances again after the championship, which opens against France in Paris on January 31.
“I’ve been pretty honest in terms of welcoming scrutiny and challenge, as well as that I understand the pressures of international rugby with performances and results,” Gatland said.
“I’m pleased to have the support of Abi and the board to take the squad into the Six Nations.
“This group of players has a huge amount of potential and we will be working incredibly hard together to turn around our fortunes on the pitch.
| Warren Gatland has been challenged to lead Wales to success in the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, after CEO Abi Tierney’s review into national squad performances was completed.
While Nigel Walker has resigned from his position as Executive Director of Rugby… pic.twitter.com/lqp1Ug7Ioo
— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) December 20, 2024
He added: “We know, more than ever, we will be judged on competitiveness, on success and on winning during the 2025 campaign.
“During the review I had the opportunity to explain my thinking, but I also appreciate the feedback and constructive challenge that has been put to me.
“I’d like to thank the players in particular for their involvement and their honesty. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Walker, who has been in place since 2021, admitted that “it’s right I’m judged on performances on the pitch”, resulting in his decision to step down.
Walker has stepped down weeks after being linked to a controversy surrounding the Wales women’s team.
In the interim, Huw Bevan, the temporary performance director, and Geraint John, the community director, will take on Walker’s executive responsibilities. A permanent replacement for the director of rugby role will be announced in the New Year.
Walker faced mounting criticism for his role in a contentious contract negotiation process with the women’s squad, which came to a head during the summer.
The 61-year-old reportedly told players in August that if they did not accept the contracts presented to them, the WRU would withdraw the team from participating in next year’s Rugby World Cup in England.
Walker’s resignation marks the second significant departure from the WRU following the fallout from the contract dispute.
Last month, former Wales women’s head coach Ioan Cunningham also left his position after the details of the saga were made public.
The WRU issued an apology for its mismanagement of the complex and fraught negotiations. Although a review of the situation was originally scheduled for release at the end of November, it has been delayed.
Walker, who joined the WRU in 2021 as performance director, played a key role in the introduction of central contracts for the women’s team. However, his perceived threat to withdraw the team from the World Cup made him deeply unpopular among players.
When asked in November about Walker’s position, WRU chief executive Abi Tierney commented: “Nigel acknowledges that we needed to have done things better.”
Speaking about his resignation, Walker stated: “This decision has not been made lightly as I have cherished my time at the Welsh Rugby Union immensely, but it’s time for a new leader for the performance department.
“My tenure has not been without its challenges, and we have achieved a great amount, but ultimately, it is right that I am judged on performances on the pitch, and both of our senior teams have found the last 12 months extremely difficult. Therefore, I believe now is the right time for me to step down.
“These are fast-moving times. We have launched a new headline strategy for Welsh rugby, which is inextricably linked to a new Professional Rugby Agreement to be signed imminently between the WRU and our four regional clubs.
“We are changing the management structure in our high-performance team with respect to our senior Wales Women squad, with a new head coach to be appointed soon. In the senior men’s game, there is much scrutiny of the role of our high-performance department and how its systems and structures can best enable success for all of our professional teams.”
Time For Wales To Look Beyond Warren Gatland For Fresh Answers
