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Wales told to steal two coaches from English rugby as bold Sam Warburton theory put forward

Wales have been told to pinch Nick Evans from Harlequins
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Former England international Ugo Monye says Wales should target two top coaches from the Gallagher Premiership to help turn their fortunes around.

Warren Gatland's side are on a record 12-Test losing streak and will end a calendar year winless for the first time since 1937 after a torrid 12 months of results. The New Zealander's future as head coach is now subject to a Welsh Rugby Union review, although there is an expectation he will remain in the job and head into next year's Six Nations in charge.

That is not to say that there definitely won't be any changes made to the current set-up, however, as some of Gatland's backroom staff could end up paying the price. The disparity in age between the coaching team and squad of players has been a big talking point in recent times, with supporters and pundits questioning whether new blood should be brought in to help turn things around.

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That is certainly the view of ex-England international Danny Care, who argued on the latest episode of the Rugby Union Weekly podcast that something desperately needs to change in the Welsh set-up. Calling on a "new breed" of coaches with different ideas to step forward, the 37-year-old suggested former Wales skippers Sam Waburton and Alun Wyn Jones should now be involved with the national team.

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"It's time, I think, for a new breed of maybe younger coaches to step up," said Care. "You keep hearing this stuff about Wales and Sam Warburton is offering some great advice. Do Wales take a punt on someone like Warburton or Alun Wyn Jones?

"Do they say: 'Do you know what lads, why don't you have a crack? See what you could do'. Maybe a new breed of coaches needs to come out that aren't disciples of the so-called super coaches, [or] you're going to end up be like them."

However, Monye suggested that the WRU look further afield and pinch some talented coaches from the English game, putting forward the names of two former internationals that he believes would help unlock the full attacking potential of Wales' current squad.

"If I was Wales, I'd go to the Prem and speak to your [Harlequins] coach, Nick Evans and say 'right, come and run our attack'," he said. "I'd speak to Sam Vesty and Northampton and say 'right, there you go, run the attack.

"[Wales'] profile of players is young, talented, skillful but not massive in size," added Money. "[What they need to do] is upskill them. I don't care what people say, you can coach any player to have the skill, to have the shape and to execute and have a want to attack, if you give coaches time."