Former Wales skipper Sam Warburton believes that now is not the time for the Welsh Rugby Union to consider sacking Warren Gatland.
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During his first stint in charge from 2008 to 2019, the Kiwi enjoyed enormous success, leading Wales to Six Nations Grand Slams in 2008, 2012, and 2019. They also won the Six Nations title in 2013 and reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in 2011 and 2019, as well as the quarter-finals in 2015.
However, recent months have been challenging, with Wales finishing last in the 2024 Six Nations and enduring a disastrous summer.
Despite this, Warburton believes Gatland deserves more time, even though he is currently the favorite Six Nations coach to be sacked.
Warburton began: “If I was in charge, I would wait until after next year’s Six Nations to make any decision on Warren Gatland’s future,” he said.
“It would be way too cut-throat to sack him now. You have got to give him time so I would wait and see how results and performances pan out until the end of the Six Nations next year.
“Given his track record and his progress over the summer, changing the coach wouldn’t be in my thinking for the powers that be at Welsh Rugby Union.
“I have not given it any thought on who his replacement could be. His style is a good style for international rugby. I don’t know who is out there. Whoever comes in, you want to look at someone that’s had previous international experience.”
Six Nations Sack Race Odds:
#6. Andy Farrell (Ireland) – 15/1
Andy joined the Irish coaching set up in 2016 as Assistant Coach. He was named as Head Coach to succeed Joe Schmidt after the 2019 Rugby World Cup/
Andy was assistant coach with England from 2011 to 2015 as well as defence coach for the 2013 Series-winning British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Prior to joining the England set-up, he coached Aviva Premiership side Saracens. A dual code player, he played rugby league for Wigan (370 caps), England (11 caps) and Great Britain (34 caps) before switching to union and joining Saracens.
Farrell won eight caps for England, including three appearances at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
#5. Gonzalo Quesada (Italy) – 12/1
Italy’s rugby scene saw a major shakeup when Gonzalo Quesada was appointed head coach of the national team, succeeding Kieran Crowley from January 1, 2024.
Their resurgence was evident when, under Quesada’s guidance, they clinched a historic victory against Scotland in the 2024 Six Nations Championship, marking their first home win in 11 years and their first tournament victory since 2022. The momentum continued as they triumphed over Wales in a nail-biting match at the Millennium Stadium.
Although they finished fifth in the tournament standings, Italy’s performance was hailed as a significant achievement, marking their best showing since 2013 with multiple wins and avoiding the bottom of the table for the first time since 2015.