When the Welsh Rugby Union announced its decision in December to retain head coach Warren Gatland for the Six Nations it was positioned as a stay of execution.

Wales failed to win a single Test match under Gatland's leadership in 2024, which pushed the 61-year-old into the danger zone. Gatland was challenged to turn around Wales' fortunes during the Six Nations and even though WRU CEO Abi Tierney refused to define what a successful championship would like it was widely assumed beating Italy in Rome was a non-negotiable.

But unfortunately Wales slumped to a 22-15 defeat and, barring a minor miracle, are odds-on favourites to finish with the dreaded wooden spoon for the second Six Nations campaign in succession. WalesOnline understands the New Zealander has a break clause in his contract at the end of the Six Nations but to get rid of Gatland beforehand could cost the WRU in the region of £2m.

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But one potential option could be to put Gatland on gardening leave if the WRU thought that would give them a better chance of winning at least one of the final three games against Ireland, Scotland and England respectively. Remember, the difference in prize money between finishing fifth and sixth is thought to be close to £1m for the Union.

Should the WRU opt to go down that road what are the potential options for the WRU on an interim basis?

Rob Howley as interim head coach?

The former Wales scrum-half is a hugely experienced coach who has been a part of winning environments. Howley has helped coach Wales to four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams.

The 54-year-old has also been head coach on two previous occasions when Gatland was away on sabbatical preparing to coach the British & Irish Lions, and Howley was the head coach who led Wales to a Six Nations title with an historic 30-3 victory over England in Cardiff. He has also coached on three Lions tours himself as an attack coach.

He has his critics but he does have a successful coaching CV, although Wales' attack has rightly been questioned in recent weeks. If Gatland was to leave early, Howley would be the logical option in some ways to step up as caretaker coach, but there are those who believe the former Wales scrum-half should also leave.

In many ways, Howley is the most realistic option given the time constraints ahead of the Ireland match on February 22, with an attack coach from one of the regions joining on secondment. If not Howley, then forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys and defence guru Mike Forshaw would have to step into the role, but that seems unlikely.

Regional coaches on secondment

The idea of coaches from Wales' four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Cardiff - joining on secondment until the end of the Six Nations is another one being mooted. Even if Gatland did get put on gardening leave it seems a little far fetched to get rid of his entire backroom team midway through the championship.

But there is potential for someone like Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt, the Ospreys' Mark Jones or Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel coming in for a few games. All three know the playing group very well, and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Jones and Sherratt have also coached with Wales before.

Of course, all three are contracted to their clubs who have two vitally important United Rugby Championship fixtures over the next month or so. As a result there is no guarantee they would be released by their clubs anyway but there is more chance of this than if they went outside of Wales, particularly with Union and regional bosses publicly speaking about a more harmonious relationship going forward.

Dai Young

The former Wales prop is currently head of rugby at Cardiff & Vale College and it is unclear whether he would want to get back involved with the professional game. But Young is a vastly experienced head coach who has enjoyed two stints at Cardiff and nine years at former English giants Wasps.

Young has a reputation as a tough taskmaster and knows what a successful environment looks like. One would assume the WRU would have no issues borrowing Young's services from Cardiff & Vale College - assuming he is willing.

If the WRU do want a strong hand at the helm just to steady the ship for the final three games in the hope of getting a reaction from the players then Young can't be discounted.

Toby Booth

Booth is currently out of work since leaving his job as Ospreys head coach last December. The 55-year-old has a wealth of experience having coached at London Irish, Bath, Harlequins and the Ospreys.

During his six years at the Ospreys Booth helped make the Welsh club competitive again and potentially laid the foundations for a brighter future. Booth has a reputation as a strong man manager who has historically got the best of the players under his tutelage.

Booth puts a huge emphasis on strong foundations especially the scrum and driving lineout. He also knows a large percentage of the players from his time coaching the Ospreys.

Like Young, if they want someone to steady the ship in the short run then Booth is not a bad shout and crucially is available.