Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) CEO Steve Phillips has confirmed Gatland will take charge of Wales for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, with the ability to go through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027.
Warren Gatland (59), who led Wales to four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams between 2007 and 2019, will be back in the head coach role on a long-term deal from Monday, he will be moving back to Cardiff from New Zealand, where he has been director of rugby of the Super Rugby side Chiefs – on Sunday to lead Wales for for the Rugby World Cup
“This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport, but the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team,” said Phillips.
“Ultimately we are in the results business and we have agreed with Wayne that the current trajectory for Wales is not where we want it to be and we thank him sincerely for his time, enthusiasm, diligence and effort, which is unquestioned, as head coach over the last three years.”
“He will undoubtedly be able to make an immediate impact, just as he did when he joined us for the first time in 2008. But it has also been important to both parties to ensure we get absolute maximum gain out of the return of such an experienced and highly regarded individual.
“This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.
This move finally ends any speculation of Gatland taking on a similar role with England, with head coach Eddie Jones also under pressure ahead of a crunch meeting with Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney on Monday. According to Telegraph Sport the England role was never a realistic consideration for Gatland given that any potential RFU offer would likely only have been on an interim basis until the 2023 World Cup.
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With Wales, Gatland has committed his services long term, with a stipulation of his return being a full root-and-branch review of professional Welsh rugby. Alongside the national team’s recent struggles, Wales have not had a side feature in the play-offs of the United Rugby Championship since 2018.
Pivac will be relieved of his duties on Monday after overseeing a dismal run at the helm with Wales, in which his side won just three matches and lost to both Italy and Georgia at home this Autumn. The final nail in Pivac’s coffin came in Cardiff at the end of November, when Wales surrendered a 34-13 lead after 60 minutes to lose 39-34 against Australia.
England have endured a similarly tumultuous year under Jones. The November campaign marked their worst autumn since 2009 and the Australian’s side ended 2022 with the worst calendar year record since 2008. Following Gatland’s agreement with Wales, should Jones depart then Telegraph Sport understands that Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick is the front-runner to replace him.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to coach Wales,” said Gatland
Wayne Pivac said: “I am obviously extremely sad to stand down from the role.
“It was a speedy review process post-Autumn Nations Series as time is of the essence with the Six Nations fast approaching. Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped. As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.
“We have played some really good rugby at times, but needed to do that more consistently. However, I know that there is a strong foundation for the squad to progress to great things in the future.
“I would like to thank the players, coaches, management and the WRU for their commitment, support and hard work in my time as head coach and to all the people in Wales for making me feel at home here over the past eight years.”