There are also systemic, long-term issues ahead of the World Cup in France later this year. Gatland has spoken about finding 'quick fixes' to things like discipline and creativity as most areas of the Welsh game has proved substandard over the last two matches. The New Zealander's first defeat to Scotland in 12 encounters as Welsh coach means Wales have lost their opening two Six Nations games for the first time since 2007, when Gareth Jenkins was in charge. The stark statistics bring back memories of life before Gatland and darker times. People who warned that those senior men's successes were masking issues elsewhere have been proved right. The senior men's results have often papered over the cracks of a failing Wales rugby system, which is bordering on not fit for purpose. Gatland's return as coach has not inspired the immediate improvement in results WRU bosses had hoped it might. Wherever you look there are problems.Īn independent task force tomorrow starts work to look into the culture of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) following the sexism scandal that rocked the game following a BBC Wales Investigates programme and prompted the resignation of former chief executive Steve Phillips.Īn extraordinary general meeting is scheduled for 26 March to try to push through major governance change.Ī long-term financial deal is yet to be officially signed between the WRU and regions with players out of contract at the end of the season still not being able to formally sign new deals.

The landscape of Welsh rugby since Gatland's last stint in charge has changed.

The manner of the Murrayfield mauling, with a scoreline which eclipsed a record defeat that had stood for 99 years, was perhaps not forecast by many.Ĭaptain Ken Owens admitted afterwards there would be a lot of external pressure heaped on the squad, while Gatland accepted his side are in a 'little bit of a hole'. Losing to Gregor Townsend's side might have been expected. It must be pointed out that Gatland has lost only two of those matches, with nine of the 12 defeats coming under his predecessor Wayne Pivac.īut a record points defeat by Scotland, a week after a home hammering by Ireland, is not the start he craved having returned for a second spell as Wales coach.

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