Warren Gatland linked with sensational return to the PREM

Warren Gatland has been linked with a sensational return to the PREM as the new director of rugby at struggling Harlequins.

It has been just over a year since Gatland ended his second spell as Wales coach after having won only six of the 26 matches he had been in charge of after returning to the WRU in 2022, and more than two decades have passed since he left Wasps and English club rugby.

Gatland, 62, started his coaching career with Galway-based Galwegians in 1989 and is one of the most successful club coaches in the professional era, having led Wasps to Premiership and European glory.

He had twice coached the Lions and won three Grand Slams, but has been out of club rugby since leaving the Chiefs in December 2022 to take over as Wales boss from Wayne Pivac.

Gatland, who was linked with becoming the new Georgian coach after they parted company with Richard Cockerill before Christmas, has been working in an advisory role for Uruguayan rugby.

Harlequins, who are understood to have a very healthy budget of over £550,000 a year, have been linked with several big names since launching their search for a new boss and are closing in on an appointment.

Former Scotland coach Vern Cotter was linked with the job before landing the Queensland Reds job for the 2027-2028 season, while Dave Rennie is the favourite to become the new All Blacks’ boss.

Scott Robertson has also been touted as a possible contender for a move to South-West London, while Michael Cheika and Head of England Men’s Player Pathways, Mark Mapletoft, have been linked with a return to the club.

Mapletoft has distanced himself from the job, and whispers linking Gatland with the club have been gathering momentum over the course of this week ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester Tigers in the PREM Rugby Cup.

Quins have struggled this season, losing five of their six games in the competition and eight of their 10 games in the PREM, with the only glimmer of hope for success coming in the Champions Cup.