Warren Gatland to be confirmed as new Wales head coach

Warren Gatland will be revealed as the new Wales head coach later today, replacing Wayne Pivac who has been sacked by the WRU – RugbyPass understands.

The British & Irish Lions guru reprises the role that he left in 2019 following the Rugby World Cup in Japan and will now take charge of Wales in France in eleven months’ time.

The WRU could confirm the appointment as early as today. Gatland has been the frontrunner for the Wales job for the last three weeks, but has also been linked with taking over England’s flagging Rugby World Cup preparations, with Eddie Jones likely to face the same fate as Pivac.

Wales’ appalling Autumn Nation Series campaign was considered a step too far for the WRU, and an official review have moved to end Pivac’s reign after just three years at the helm.

The latest loss, a 39-34 reversal against injury-hit Australia after Wales conceded 26 unanswered points during the final 22 minutes, was a ninth defeat in 12 Tests this year.

Pivac oversaw a Six Nations title success last year, when Wales were seconds away from winning the Grand Slam, and a first victory over the Springboks in South Africa, but the Georgia debacle came just eight months after a home defeat against Italy.

In contrast, Gatland’s 12-year Wales reign was studded with success and consistent performances.

Wales won four Six Nations titles during that time, including three Grand Slams, reached two World Cup semi-finals and briefly headed the world rankings.

the 59-year-old is currently director of rugby at the Chiefs in New Zealand, but he has spent the last month watching autumn series games in his role as a pundit for Prime Video.

He was in Cardiff for three of Wales’ Tests – against New Zealand, Argentina and Australia – and even spoke to Pivac on the pitchside for Prime Video.

additional reporting Press Association