Wales chiefs will review their disastrous autumn series campaign as bosses admit performances under Warren Gatland have been ‘disappointing’

The Welsh Rugby Union has admitted that Warren Gatland’s national team’s performance has fallen far short of their and the country’s rugby community’s expectations as it prepares to conduct a detailed review of the New Zealander’s position as head coach.

Gatland led the worst losing streak in Welsh rugby history, with his side suffering 12 consecutive international defeats.

Saturday’s 45-12 defeat to back-to-back world champions South Africa meant Wales ended the 2024 calendar without a win – the first time Wales had gone 12 months without success since 1937.

“It’s obviously disappointing. This is not what the Welsh public expects. This is not what we expect,” WRU chairman Richard Collier-Caywood said of Wales’ dramatic fall from grace.

“As we do after every campaign, we are committed to conducting a review of all aspects of the WRU in relation to performance and how the coaching team and players have performed over this period.”

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney will lead the review, which will include views from independent members. It is planned that former Wales players will be consulted.

Warren Gatland led the worst losing streak in Welsh rugby history.

Wales suffered their 12th defeat in a row following their crushing defeat to South Africa.

“We’re looking at everything,” Tierney said, speaking after the WRU’s annual general meeting (SUN) yesterday. “We will look at what will best help Wales move forward. Any point that says we need something new to take Wales forward, we’ll definitely look at that.”

At the WRU general meeting, member clubs largely supported Gatland, despite the national team’s abysmal winless run.

Tierney and Collier-Caywood are prepared to replace Gatland if the review – which the WRU hopes will be completed by December 17 – recommends doing so.

Collier-Caywood reiterated his belief that Gatland remains one of the best coaches in the international game. Gatland himself will also be consulted as part of the review.

Collier-Caywood also insists that if the WRU decide to suspend Gatland, such a move would not be limited by financial factors. He also admitted he was prepared for Gatland to move into the role of director of rugby and a new head coach to come with him.

If Gatland is sent off before Christmas, Wales will appoint an interim head coach for the 2025 Six Nations. In this scenario, Rob Hawley would be the leading contender.

“The Welsh public expect us to carry out a review and it is important that we monitor implementation and not limit it to one aspect, and that is Warren,” Collier-Caywood said.

“He is a very important aspect, but now he is part of it all, but not the focus. This is our collective responsibility.”

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney says the team has not lived up to expectations

Flanker James Botham was one of the very few plus players for Wales this November, the grandson of English cricket great Sir Ian impressing in a struggling team.

Botham scored one of Wales’ two tries against the giant Springboks, putting his body on the line against a much larger and superior rugby team.

Botham clearly backed Gatland when asked if he was the right man to coach Wales.

‘Certainly. Look at what he’s done in the past,” Botham said.

“There’s a reason he came back to work. There is no point in pointing fingers, blaming or saying, is he the right person? He’s here, so of course he’s qualified for the job.”

At the annual general meeting, Tierney revealed that the WRU recorded a loss of £7.5 million for the year ending June 2024. Turnover increased to £102.7 million and investment in the game totaled £60.4 million.