With 2024 rapidly coming to an end, it's safe to say the majority of Welsh rugby will be happy to see the back of what was a disappointing year.

As far as the men's national side are concerned this has statistically been their worst year since 1937 with not a single Test match won, while they are also on the longest losing run in history. Even though the Ospreys did punch above their weight, the regional game continued to struggle for competiveness.

It was also a sombre year for the women's game, which was put through the wringer. Let's hope 2025 is a better year for Welsh rugby.

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Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas gets his crystal ball out to predict the headlines we may see in 2025.

Changes to Warren Gatland's backroom team

Warren Gatland retained his position as head coach for the Six Nations but a review into Wales' performances in 2024 came to the conclusion there needed to be some changes. The review said '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'.

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean people will be losing their jobs, although WRU CEO Abi Tierney admitted in a recent press conference that was a possibility. But expect there to be an announcement over the next couple of weeks with some additions to Gatland's coaching team.

WRU and its professional clubs sign new five-year Professional Rugby Agreement and a new strategy launched

The WRU and its four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Scarlets - are close to agreeing a new five-year PRA. As WalesOnline have extensively reported, the new PRA will see the WRU wipe the Welsh Government debt off the balance sheets of the four professional clubs in return for a non-controlling equity stake, while they will also have a greater say of each team's rugby operations.

The WRU will distribute £120.1m to support each club's squad and academy costs over five years, provided clubs operate within the defined 'cap and collar' mechanism put in place. The Union funding is fixed for the first three years of the deal in what is termed a "rolling three-year funding model", while the final two years will be determined by the WRU's commercial performance.

As far as funding goes in the first three years the WRU will guarantee 80% (£96m) worth of payments but, crucially, 20% will be distributed to clubs provided they meet certain requirements. The plan is for the salary cap to gradually rise from £4.5m to £6.8m

An announcement on a new PRA is imminent. Once a new PRA is announced expect the WRU to reveal its full strategy for the game.

Tierney revealed the outline of the strategy over the summer but there should be more meat on the bones this time.

Gatland steps down as Wales head coach and a replacement announced

Let's be clear, this is far from certain and everyone hopes Gatland can turn things around. But as Gatland has always pointed out, international rugby is about winning and Wales have not done that.

Wales have not won a single Test match in 2024 and are on their worst-ever run of 12 successive defeats. While this is not all Gatland's fault, he is the head coach and as is the nature in professional sport has to take a large portion of the responsibility.

Gatland has an ally in WRU CEO Tierney who admitted she went into a recent WRU board meeting with a strong view he should remain at the helm. In the end the board were unanimous in their support for Gatland but there is always a tipping point and if Wales continue to lose, which unfortunately is likely, then it could cost the New Zealander his job.

There will be another review at the end of the Six Nations and if Wales finish with another Wooden Spoon or even in fifth then Gatland's job will be on the line.

Wales to end their losing run

According to the law of averages Wales will have to win at some point. Will it happen during the Six Nations?

Time will tell but they are up against it. The clash with Italy in Rome on the second weekend of the Championship provides the best opportunity for Wales to end their losing run.

But should they come up short then a second successive Wooden Spoon is a very real possibility. But even if the worst comes to the worst surely Wales will win in Japan next summer.

The only way is up.

WRU appoint new women's lead and head coach

The WRU are looking for a new head coach of its national women's side after Ioan Cunningham's resignation in November. Wales won just four Test matches in 11 this calendar year, while the WRU also admitted serious failings in the way it handled players' contract negotiations over the summer.

With the Women's Six Nations beginning in March the WRU plan to appoint Cunningham's successor next month. But that won't be the only appointment, with the WRU set to name a new lead for the women's game.

The WRU recently stated: "The high-profile role will directly manage the Wales women head coach as well as set and implement strategy for the women's and girls' game across Wales and form an integral part of the WRU's high-performance team."

Following their failings in recent times the WRU have to take the women's game seriously and these two appointments will be crucial.

WRU appoint a new executive director of rugby

Nigel Walker left his role as executive director of rugby just 11 days ago so there is a vacancy to be filled. High-ranking WRU employees Huw Bevan and Geraint John will take on Walker's role between them on an interim basis while a long-term successor is identified.

Walker was heavily criticised for his role in the recent contract negotiations with the senior Wales women players, while he also played a role in preventing the senior men's players from striking ahead of the home Six Nations clash with England in February 2023. Whoever replaces Walker has a serious job on their hands with Welsh rugby currently struggling at all levels.

The executive DOR will have a significant role to play in all aspects of the game in Wales from the pathway, the women's game, working with the four professional club's and the senior men's team.

Wales to have their lowest representation on a Lions tour for over 20 years

Considering Wales' recent struggles it is difficult to see Gatland's side being represented in big numbers on next summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Backrower Jac Morgan is the likeliest tourist with the 24-year-old among the best opensides in the northern hemisphere.

Hooker Dewi Lake is a strong contender but if his bicep injury keeps him out of the whole Six Nations he will be up against it. Josh Adams is another contender, while Aaron Wainwright, Liam Williams and potentially Taulupe Faletau could be in the conversation.

But realistically the majority of Welsh players are playing catch up and if Wales struggle as a collective once again during the Six Nations then this will be their lowest representation on a Lions tour since 1997.

Super Rygbi Cymru clubs to join a new cross-border competition

The new SRC competition is in its infancy but WalesOnline understands there are plans afoot for a cross-border cup competition with the bottom half of the English Championship. With regards the SRC, one of its biggest purposes is to bridge the gap between the academies and the professional arm of the game.

Currently the standard is not much better than it was in the old Welsh Premiership but that was always going to be the case in its first year. A cross-border competition with a handful of English Championship clubs would significantly improve the standard and potentially speed up the development of some of Wales' brightest young talent.

There is work still to be done but WalesOnline understands this is the WRU's aim.