Warren Gatland has handed the keys to No.10 to Sam Costelow and told him: No pressure, mate! None at all, except for the fact that Costelow will start at outside-half in a Wales team that has lost its previous 11 matches, is facing world champions South Africa, and has been selected by a coach who may be one defeat away from the sack.

Rob Howley still believes Warren Gatland is “the best coach in the world” and is backing him to pull Wales out of their worst losing run in their history. If the world champions South Africa end their international season with a win in Cardiff on Saturday it will condemn Wales to their 12th defeat in a row and make it the first winless year for the national side since 1937.

Craig Bellamy and Warren Gatland have more in common than simply being current Wales national coaches. They now share a similar history in their opening half a dozen matches in charge of their respective teams, games in which they both hit the ground, running – hard.

Warren Gatland says he “absolutely” has the desire to continue in his role as Wales head coach. Speculation continues to rage about Gatland’s future after a record run of 11 successive Test match defeats. World champions South Africa are next up for Wales on Saturday, with the Springboks overwhelming favourites to emphatically extend that losing sequence.

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has insisted that under-pressure Wales counterpart Warren Gatland has not become “bad” overnight. Gatland has overseen a Welsh national team record of 11 straight Test defeats, with losses in November to Fiji and Australia after claiming the wooden spoon in last season’s Six Nations.

Australia used their power and panache to outclass Wales in a difficult afternoon in Cardiff which left Warren Gatland questioning his own future as coach. But Wales actually battled valiantly from 19-0 down to score 13 points and put some scoreboard pressure on the Wallabies at half time.

Australia coach Joe Schmidt insists there will be no talk of a Grand Slam tour until they are over the big challenges – Scotland and Ireland. Having disposed of England and Wales, the Wallabaies chief was not getting carried away by thoughts of a sweep of the home nations just because his team thrashed Wales 52-20 in Cardiff on Sunday.

Warren Gatland will talk to his wife and family before deciding whether or not to stand down as Wales coach. Gatland is reviewing his position at the helm of the team after they slumped to a 52-20 defeat to Australia on Sunday to register their worst run of results.

Warren Gatland expects to meet with Welsh Union officials to discuss his future over the next few days after suffering another crushing defeat. The Wales coach appears to be nearing the end of his time in charge, allough he also insisted he still has the stomach for the fight despite presiding over a record 11-match losing run – the worst in Welsh rugby history. An emphatic eight-tries-to-two, 52-20 defeat to Australia at the Principality Stadium may prove to be the final straw for Gatland – not a knockout blow in itself, but the latest in a series of repeated punches that have left him questioning whether it might be best if he is removed from the firing line.

Could this be 11 and all out for Warren Gatland as he tackles his toughest test after losing ten consecutive matches? Gatland’s first reign saw him win 85 from 151 games with a 56% general win record, 60% record in World Cup matches and 71% in the Six Nations. So, the head coach had credit in the bank when he returned for his second stint after guiding Wales to four Six Nations titles and two World Cup semi finals.

Will Rowlands insists the Wales players are determined not to allow themselves to become the worst losing team in the country’s history. That fate awaits wilting Wales on Sunday if they suffer defeat at home to Australia. It would be their 11th in succession, beating the low water mark of 10 inflicted on former coach Steve Hansen’s no-hopers in 2002-03.

Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and “enhancing the fan experience” will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions that start from Jan. 1 2025, World Rugby said on Thursday after its Council approved the changes. The adaptations will apply to competitions such as next year’s Six Nations, British and Irish Lions and other summer tours, but not to those such as the English Premiership and French Top 14 that would have already started in 2024.

Ben Thomas insists Wales “have a plan” to deal with Joseph Suaalii – but it had better be a good one. Thomas, 25, has been a centre of attention for Wales this autumn, a player of rich natural talent and creativity who, after a handful of games in a red shirt, looks likely to be a big part of the national team’s future.

Warren Gatland has joked he might soon be laying on a beach and if that’s the case he will have got there by going up Schmidt Creek without a paddle. Joe Schmidt – an old sparring partner of Gatland’s – lies in wait on Sunday, when he brings his resurgent Australia team to the Principality Stadium to play a Wales side all at sea.

Warren Gatland says he “takes with a grain of salt” recent criticisms from former players following Wales’ record-tying 10th consecutive Test match loss. Gatland also disclosed that stepping down from his role hasn’t crossed his mind, despite the rocky start to his second tenure as Wales’ head coach, which began ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.

Under-pressure Wales coach Warren Gatland has made four changes from the side beaten by Fiji to face Australia in Cardiff on Sunday. Wales went down 24-19 to the Fijians last weekend in what was a record-equalling 10th successive Test defeat. A loss to the Wallabies would see Gatland’s team set a new record, fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen’s side of the 2002-3 season having also lost 10 straight.

Star centre Semi Radradra will miss Fiji’s remaining internationals this month after receiving a two-week ban for a high tackle in last weekend’s win over Wales. Radradra, 32, was sent off after 20 minutes of Sunday’s 24-19 victory in Cardiff for a dangerous hit on Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett.

Mike Phillips has called for Wales to get rid of Warren Gatland as head coach. Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Phillips has claimed Gatland deserves to walk after going over a year – and 10 internationals – without winning.

Gareth Anscombe insists Wales can break their 10-match losing sequence this weekend – and maybe keep Warren Gatland in hi job. Wales are arguably at the lowest ebb in their 143-year international rugby history following Fiji’s 24-19 victory in Cardiff.

Winless Wales are already in the sights of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – the most exciting and hyped rugby talent in the world game. After equaling the worst run on their history – Wales’ defeat to Fiji at the weekend was their 10th on the bounce – Warren Gatland’s side now host Australia this Sunday.