Warren Gatland: What next for Wales head coach after record defeat

Whether Gatland will be in charge for the opening Six Nations match against France in Paris on 31 January, or even for the Springboks next weekend, remains to be seen.

Even he admitted he was unsure and there was an air of resignation, mixed with occasional bouts of defiance, about Gatland in his interviews after the Australia defeat.

The New Zealander said he would accept his departure if it was for the benefit of Welsh rugby and he revealed he had spoken with Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chair Richard Collier-Keywood and executive director of rugby Nigel Walker in the Principality Stadium changing rooms following this latest humiliation.

Gatland’s statistics for his second stint as Wales head coach are shocking. He has overseen six wins and 17 losses from 23 Tests since replacing Wayne Pivac in December 2022.

Four of those victories came in last year’s World Cup when Gatland led Wales to the quarter-finals before defeat against Argentina.

His side have not won a Test match since. They finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time in 21 years, lost at home to Italy and Fiji and slipped to a World Rugby ranking low of 11th.

Gatland was always in danger of damaging his legacy when returning to a job for which he was generally revered after his first stint in charge, one that yielded Grand Slams and World Cup semi-finals.

Now pondering whether he should stay or go, Gatland posed the question who could come in and replace him, as he highlighted Welsh rugby’s flaws.

There is no evidence public opinion is completely against Gatland, with the counter-argument asking what more could he do with the youthful players at his disposal following the retirement of so many of Wales’ experienced “golden generation”.

This squad, led by an impressive captain in Dewi Lake, is full of young men proud to play for their country – but they are currently lightweight and novices on the international stage.

So what would replacing Gatland achieve and would a new face improve things?

Gatland’s critics will immediately put forward a long list of candidates, naming Michael Cheika, Shaun Edwards, Brad Mooar, Tony Brown, Franco Smith and Pat Lam as alternative options and there will be others.

Whether any of those individuals would improve the flagging fortunes of Welsh rugby is up for debate.