Warren Gatland to leave Wales coaching role with immediate effect
Warren Gatland is set to leave his position as Wales head coach with immediate effect.
The WRU board decided to grant Gatland a stay of execution at the end of 2024, a year in which Wales failed to win a single Test match. He was challenged to turn around Wales' ailing fortunes in the Six Nations before another review at the end of the Championship.
But Wales have made a disastrous start to their Six Nations with defeats against France and Italy, respectively. Gatland is contracted until the 2027 Rugby World Cup but there is a break clause in his contract this summer.
READ MORE: Wales want Simon Easterby or Franco Smith as Warren Gatland reign to end early
READ MORE: Live updates as Warren Gatland to leave, Matt Sherratt approached and press conference held
The WRU have now decided to put the Wales boss on gardening leave and he is set to be removed as head coach, with official confirmation expected today. The WRU have already began searching for his long-term replacement with Franco Smith, Simon Easterby and Michael Cheika among the contenders. You can read about that here.
