Gatland set to leave position as Wales head coach

Warren Gatland is set to leave his position as Wales head coach after suffering their record-extending 14th straight defeat to Italy in the Six Nations at the weekend.

After their 43-0 drubbing at the hands of France in round one, Saturday's 22-15 defeat in Rome - Wales first loss on Italian soil in 18 years - brought the prospect of successive Six Nations wooden spoons into sharp focus.

Wales have now dropped to a new low of 12th in the World Rugby rankings, a place below Georgia, following an eighth Six Nations loss on the bounce.

• Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, results, schedule 🏉
• Italy 22-15 Wales | France 43-0 Wales 📝
• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺

With matches against Ireland, Scotland and England to follow, the Welsh Rugby Union is now ready to part ways with Gatland in a bid to salvage something from their Six Nations campaign.

The New Zealander has overseen just six victories in 26 Tests since returning for a second stint in charge.

If Gatland goes mid-tournament, the WRU would be required to appoint an interim head coach for the remaining Six Nations fixtures.

Current Wales assistant coach Rob Howley filled that role during Gatland's first reign as Wales boss when he was on British and Irish Lions coaching duties.

A permanent successor to Gatland, should he depart, would ideally be in place for Wales' two-Test summer tour to Japan.

Candidates in the mix could include Glasgow head coach Franco Smith, former Australia boss Michael Cheika and Wales-based Simon Easterby, who is the interim Ireland boss for the Six Nations while Andy Farrell prepares to take charge of the Lions in Australia later this year.

Wales are not expected to remotely trouble Ireland in their next game, and they will arrive there from a new World Rugby-rankings low of 12th, having been overtaken by Georgia.

The WRU assessed Wales' miserable Autumn Nations Series campaign earlier this season, which featured defeats against Fiji, Australia and South Africa, before backing Gatland to continue.

But speaking at the time, WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said: "I've had a number of very honest conversations with Warren, and I will make no secret of the fact that his position was on the line as we undertook our review.

"Further than that, like any head coach in any sport, he knows the security of his position is directly related to the performances of the team, and that this is a situation that will continue to intensify."