One in, one out with Wales - but how much will actually change?
Inside Welsh Rugby is a weekly newsletter which gets under the skin of the game in Wales, attempting to get to the heart of the issues and biggest stories.
Written by WalesOnline rugby correspondents Steffan Thomas and Ben James, it takes readers deep into the heart of Welsh rugby, while also shining a light on problems which need to be fixed in order for the game to flourish. There is also be deep-dive analysis, explaining to readers exactly what's happening on and off the pitch.
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When the review into Wales’ dismal 2024 was published just before Christmas, the promise of coaching changes below Warren Gatland was made - albeit in slightly confusing language.
“Adaptations to the current set-up assisting Gatland will also be considered immediately with the ambition of improving mindset, mentality and culture within the squad by introducing additional personnel,” read part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s statement.
Reading that part back specifically to WRU CEO Abi Tierney on a hastily-arranged Zoom call, it begged the question of whether that included departures as well as additions.
On Friday, a week out from Wales’ opening game against France in Paris, we found out the answer to that one.
Confirmation, after a week of speculation and many, many phone calls, that attack coach Alex King would not be a part of Gatland’s coaching team for the 2025 Six Nations.
Days after the addition of Adam Jones as scrum consultant on secondment from Harlequins, the make-up of Gatland’s coaches for the upcoming tournament - one that is imperative to the New Zealander’s future in the job - was confirmed.
In fairness, while that might seem a little late in the day, there are reasons why nothing had been made public before Friday.
It’s understood that King was informed at the start of last week that he would not be involved in the coaching team for the Six Nations and has not been present in camp since.
No reason for why he’s not part of the coaching ticket has been given yet, but it’s understood there are still five more months left to run on his contract. So, it was never as simple as just announcing at the start of the week that the former Wasps fly-half wasn’t there anymore....
