Six candidates who could succeed Warren Gatland as Wales boss

Wales are searching for a new head coach after Warren Gatland’s second spell in charge came to an end on Tuesday. Gatland presided over a record 14 successive Test-match defeats, with Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations loss in Italy the final straw. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the possible contenders to take over.

Franco Smith
Quietly-spoken South African Smith has Welsh connections, having played for Newport during a career that also saw him win nine caps for the Springboks.

A former head coach of Italy, he has enjoyed considerable success in his current role at Glasgow, which was highlighted when they won the United Rugby Championship title last season after a stunning victory over the Bulls in South Africa. An impressive man-manager, his approach could be just what the Welsh Rugby Union needs at such a testing time on and off the pitch.

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Simon Easterby
Easterby is currently standing in for Andy Farrell as Ireland boss while the latter takes charge of the British and Irish Lions for this summer’s tour to Australia. The ex-Ireland flanker has been defence coach under Farrell since 2021, having previously acted as forwards coach, and has overseen the team’s 100 per cent start to this season’s Six Nations.

The 49-year-old has strong Welsh links, having captained and then gone on to coach Scarlets during a long association with the region.

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Michael Cheika
The 57-year-old no-nonsense Australian has an impressive track record, leading his home nation to the 2015 World Cup final and then reaching the 2023 World Cup semi-finals with Argentina. A former World Rugby coach of the year, Cheika is the only coach to have won major club competitions in each hemisphere – with Leinster (European Cup) and New South Wales Waratahs (Super Rugby).

He is currently in charge at Gallagher Premiership side Leicester, but is set to leave at the end of the season after deciding not to extend his contract.

Shaun Edwards
It is still a mystery to many how Lancastrian Edwards – one of the most decorated players in rugby league history – was lost to Welsh rugby in 2019. As Wales defence coach during Gatland’s success-laden first spell, he was a huge influence on that era and became a global leader in his specialist field.

Edwards took the reins as France defence coach in 2020, and his impressive portfolio includes a coaching role on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He would be a bold choice, but also a popular one.

Steve Tandy
Scotland’s current defence coach is among the bookmakers’ favourites to succeed Gatland. Although the 45-year-old Welshman has never been an international head coach, he has impressed in a variety of roles.

Welsh region the Ospreys were crowned PRO12 title winners with Tandy in charge and he has done outstanding work with Scotland as a key member of Gregor Townsend’s coaching team, which was recognised when Gatland put him in charge of defence for the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa. He cannot be discounted.

Matt Sherratt
Cardiff head coach Sherratt will take charge for Wales’ remaining three Six Nations games against title favourites Ireland, Scotland and England. Sherratt became Cardiff boss in 2023 but has also been attack coach and coached at the Ospreys, Bristol and Worcester.

Sherratt will return to Cardiff after the Six Nations but, should he oversee an upturn in fortunes, may well find himself among the contenders. “Our intention is to have a permanent appointment in place before this summer’s two-Test tour to Japan, with all options open,” said the WRU in a statement following Gatland’s exit.