Gatland to leave Wales head coach role

Warren Gatland is set to leave his role as Wales head coach after a record 14 successive Test match defeats.

Gatland, 61, is contracted until the 2027 World Cup but was already in line to depart at the end of the Six Nations.

He is now set to leave halfway through the tournament.

Wales face Ireland on 22 February in Cardiff, then travel to Scotland on 8 March before finishing the tournament at home against England on 15 March.

Former Australia coach Michael Cheika, Glasgow coach Franco Smith and Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby are potential successors.

Gatland has presided over statistically the worst Wales side in their 144-year international rugby history, slumping to their 14th successive defeat as they lost 22-15 to Italy in Rome last weekend.

The New Zealander previously enjoyed a successful 12-year spell as Wales coach which included three Grand Slams, two World Cup semi-finals and a record run of 14 victories that led to Wales briefly topping the world rankings.

Gatland left after the 2019 Rugby World Cup before returning for a second stint in charge when he replaced Wayne Pivac in December 2022.

Since then Gatland has overseen six victories and 20 losses in 26 Tests, with a win ratio of just 23%. Wales have also slumped to a lowest position of 12th in the world rankings.

Over both spells Gatland has been in charge for 151 games with his overall record standing at 76 wins, 73 defeats and two draws.