These are your evening rugby headlines on Sunday, November 24.

WRU reveal what would happen if Gatland did leave

The Welsh Rugby Union says it would appoint a new interim coach for the Six Nations if Warren Gatland was sacked between now and the tournament.

Gatland's future is now subject to a review after Wales' record losing run continued against the Springboks, with the latest defeat meaning they have ended a calendar year without a single Test win for the first time in over 85 years.

READ MORE: Ex-Wales captain makes Rob Howley suggestion as Ken Owens reveals player conversations

READ MORE: Welsh rugby bosses set deadline to decide Warren Gatland's future with all options on table

With pressure piled on the coach and his squad, he is set to finally learn his fate before Christmas, with WRU CEO Abi Tierney leading the review into the winless autumn campaign in the coming weeks.

If they decided to part ways with Gatland, however, WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood has admitted they would "look to put an interim head coach" in place for the Six Nations, which kicks off with a visit to Paris on January 31.

"That’s part of the decision," added Tierney at today's WRU AGM. "They’re not all stood waiting in a queue. A lot of very good coaches are already under contract so that has to be part of it – what choices do we have available?

"If there were quick fixes, we would have made the quick fixes, so it has got to be about what are the sustainable changes we can make."

Neither Tierney or Collier-Keywood would be drawn on Gatland being in charge for the Six Nations, however, with Collier-Keywood saying the Wales coach's future was "subject to the review". Read the full interview here.

Wales duo 'phenomenal'

Former Wales star James Hook has hailed Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan as a "phenomenal" duo after they each put in another standout performance against South Africa.

The pair, who were named as Wales' co-captains for last year's Rugby World Cup, were hugely impressive yet again despite the Springboks romping their way to a 45-20 win in Cardiff. Lake stood out amongst the pack with a tireless display as he caused the visitors problems with his physicality, while Morgan put in a huge defensive shift, making 28 tackles as well as 11 carries in attack.

Like most, Hook was hugely impressed with the duo's performance but said it came against a backdrop of South African dominance and a lack of Welsh ideas, with Warren Gatland's side "overpowered in all facets" at the Principality Stadium.

Asked whether Wales had implemented their tactics well against the Springboks, the former fly-half told the Scrum V podcast: "Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan were phenomenal, they put everything out there. But it's difficult to talk about tactics when we were overpowered in all facets.

"Our scrum was dominated from minute one, the linespeed that South Africa brought, I don't think we touched the ball or had any time in possession until about 22, 23 minutes.

"[Rio] Dyer scored his try, took it really well and obviously [James] Botham took his try in the second half really well," he added. "But other than that, we didn't really have any periods or passages of possession, so in terms of the tactics, I wasn't really sure what they were because we didn't have the ball for long enough.

"We were hit back behind the gain line, two or three carries and then we were forced to kick, whether it's Costelow or Ben Thomas. We did look very lost for any sort of ideas."

Erasmus thankful for 'emotional' Welsh visit

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has praised the reception his team received in Cardiff on Saturday, describing it as a "special" and "emotional" experience.

The Springboks ran in seven tries as they ultimately battered a brave Wales into submission at the Principality Stadium, coming away with a 45-12 win. The defeat is Wales' 12th successive Test loss and means they will end 2024 winless for the first time since 1937, with pressure piled on Warren Gatland and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Erasmus' side completed a clean sweep this autumn, having previously seen off Scotland and England, but the coach was left feeling thankful as he prepared to head back to South Africa, thanking those in Cardiff for their hospitality.

"The Welsh always make it a special and emotional moment from the bus ride to the stadium led by horses," he wrote on X following the match.

"When entering the stadium, a choir greets you and a real traditional military band pre-match! I personally love the experience! Thank you."

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Tuipulotu helps Scotland down Wallabies

By Anthony Brown, PA

Sione Tuipulotu helped halt Australia's autumn resurgence as the Scotland captain scored the opening try in an impressive 27-13 triumph over the nation of his birth.

The 27-year-old Glasgow centre, who left his homeland frustrated at a lack of opportunities in 2018, was the only player on either side to cross the whitewash in the first half. It was an extra special moment for Tuipulotu as his 77-year-old Greenock-born grandmother Jaqueline Thomson - the woman by whom he is eligible for Scotland - was in the stand watching him play for his adopted nation for the first time.

There were further tries after the break from Duhan van der Merwe, who moved back to the top of Scotland's all-time scoring charts on 30, replacement Josh Bayliss and Finn Russell. A late score from Wallabies debutant Harry Potter reduced the deficit to 14 points, but Scotland were already cruising towards a third win in four Tests this autumn.

Australia, buoyed by victories over England and Wales this month, started with intent and after being camped in the Scottish half in the early exchanges, they got the scoreboard ticking in the 11th minute when Noah Lolesio sent a close-range penalty between the posts.

Having escaped with the concession of just three points from the Wallabies' pressure, Scotland started to build their way into the game and eventually took full control. They worked themselves a good opportunity in the 15th minute, only for Russell's delicate kick over the top to bounce out dead before Darcy Graham was able to get on the end of it.

Russell looked set to get his side off the mark in the 20th minute with a penalty from a central position 30 metres out but, normally so reliable from the tee, the stand-off's kick came back off the right-hand post. The Scottish breakthrough came two minutes later, however, when the Wallabies were caught cold at a lineout, allowing Ewan Ashman's long throw to find Tuipulotu, who darted in all too easily to score. Russell converted.

Much of the pre-match narrative had surrounded Australia centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who only made his rugby union bow earlier this month after being fast-tracked in from rugby league without having previously played a professional club game. However, the much-hyped 21-year-old's afternoon was ended prematurely when he injured himself making a tackle on Tuipulotu and had to go off after just 31 minutes.

The first half generally lacked the verve many had hoped for from both sides but, on the balance of play, Scotland would have been entitled to a slight hint of disappointment at only being 7-3 ahead at the interval.

The stodgy nature of proceedings continued early in the second half, with stand-offs Russell and Lolesio kicking a penalty apiece a minute apart. The home support felt aggrieved in the 49th minute when Australia full-back Tom Wright was not deemed to have committed a dangerous tackle as he blocked Scotland scrum-half Ben White, who was attempting to run on to his own kick over the top.

But the Scots soon started to pull clear. Van der Merwe forced his way over on the left after being fed by Blair Kinghorn in the 51st minute. Russell converted. Bayliss then bounded his way over on the right in the 67th minute for his second try in successive matches, with Russell hooking his conversion wide.

The Bath stand-off made amends for his errant kicking four minutes later, however, when he finished off an incisive attack for his first Scotland try since the defeat away to France in February 2023. Russell was again off target with his conversion. It mattered little as the Wallabies were already well beaten by the time wing Potter slammed down on the left, with Ben Donaldson adding the extras.