Welsh Rugby said on Tuesday they and Gatland decided to part ways by mutual consent following the latest defeat on the weekend.

On Saturday, Italy beat the Dragons 22-16 in Rome, handing the Welsh their record-extending 14th consecutive Test defeat.

The Welsh assistant coach, Matt Sherratt, will take over from Gatland for the three remaining games in the Six Nations – against Ireland, Scotland, and England.

After his appointment as interim head coach, Sherratt said as a squad, it’s important to continue backing themselves and to play brave rugby going forward.

“These guys are winners – I want the players to be brave. Where there are 50:50 decisions, I want them to take the attacking one.” 

“I don't think performance and winning are separate things. On Monday morning when we meet up, we want to beat Ireland.

Franco Smith. Photo: Morgan Piek

“If I go into the dressing room and talk about needing to win, I will lose the room straight away. The likes of Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Williams, and Jac Morgan don't need me to tell them that. They want to win every game.

“It's about changing the mindset right now –  I’ll be myself, play the rugby I like to play, with players being brave and taking positive options.”

The former Toyota Cheetahs flyhalf and coach, Franco Smith, has been linked with the vacant coaching job, but OFM Sport has it on good authority that this is not the case. Smith is currently the head coach of the Glasgow Warriors and led them to the United Rugby Championship title in 2024.

Simon Easterby. Photo: Morgan Piek

Other potential coaches mentioned for the post include Michael Cheika (former Australian and Argentine coach) and Simon Easterby, who is the current interim coach of Ireland.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg