Wales’ coaching team for the upcoming Six Nations has been thrown into disarray with the shock announcement that attack coach Alex King will not be part of Warren Gatland’s coaching lineup. This development comes just days before the start of the tournament, leaving many fans surprised and curious about the reasons behind King’s sudden exclusion.
Alex King, a former England fly-half, has been a key member of Gatland’s coaching staff since the New Zealander returned to lead Wales in 2022. However, it has now been confirmed that King will not be involved in the Six Nations campaign this year. In his place, Rob Howley will take on the role of attack coach, with preparations for the tournament already underway ahead of Wales’ opener against France on January 31 in Paris.
The Welsh Rugby Union released a statement confirming the final coaching lineup for the 2025 Men’s Guinness Six Nations, revealing that Adam Jones will join as a scrum consultant from Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins. Additionally, Mike Forshaw will continue as defence coach, Neil Jenkins as skills coach, and Rob Howley as attack coach. The absence of Alex King from the coaching team marks a significant change in the setup just before the start of the prestigious tournament.
Reports indicate that King’s marginalisation within the Wales camp became more pronounced following Howley’s return in 2024. Howley had previously been approached to re-join Gatland’s coaching staff in 2023, but the move was initially blocked by the Welsh Rugby Union. Despite this setback, Howley eventually returned the following year and has since taken on additional coaching responsibilities within the team.
King’s departure from the coaching team follows a challenging period for Wales, with the team failing to secure a single victory at Test level in the previous year. As part of a review into the team’s performance in 2024, changes were promised within Gatland’s backroom staff. The addition of former Wales tighthead Jones and sports psychologist Andy McCann to the coaching setup signals a fresh start for Wales ahead of the Six Nations.
The sudden removal of Alex King from Wales’ coaching team has left many fans speculating about the impact this change will have on the team’s performance in the upcoming tournament. With Rob Howley stepping up as attack coach and new additions to the coaching staff, including Adam Jones as a scrum consultant, Wales will be looking to overcome this disruption and put forth a strong showing in the Six Nations. As preparations continue for the tournament, all eyes will be on Gatland and his revamped coaching team as they aim to guide Wales to success on the international stage.