The Welsh Rugby Union has admitted that the performance of Warren Gatland’s national team fell far short of what it or the country’s rugby public expect, as it prepares for a detailed review of the New Zealander’s head coaching position.

Gatland presided over the worst losing streak in Welsh rugby history, with his team suffering 12 consecutive international defeats.

Saturday’s 45-12 defeat by back-to-back world champions South Africa saw Wales finish the 2024 calendar year without a win – the first time Wales have gone 12 months without a win since 1937 .

“It’s clearly disappointing. This is not what the Welsh public expects. It’s not what we expect either,” said WRU president Richard Collier-Keywood of Wales.

“We seek, as we do after every campaign, to review all aspects of the WRU in terms of performance and performance of the coaching staff and players during this period.”

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney will lead the review which will include the views of independent members. Former Welsh players should be consulted.

Warren Gatland presided over the worst losing streak in Welsh rugby history

Wales suffered their 12th consecutive defeat after a crushing loss to South Africa.

“We look at everything,” Tierney said, speaking after the WRU (SUN) annual general meeting yesterday. “We will look at what is best to move Wales forward. Any point that says we need something different to move Wales forward, we will absolutely explore that.

At the WRU’s AGM, the mood among the organisation’s member clubs was largely favorable to Gatland despite the horror of the winless national team.

Tierney and Collier-Keywood are prepared to move Gatland if the review – which the WRU hopes to be completed by December 17 – recommends doing so.

Collier-Keywood reiterated his belief that Gatland remains one of the best managers in international football. Gatland himself is also expected to be consulted as part of the review.

Collier-Keywood also insisted that if the WRU decided to remove Gatland, such a decision would not be limited by financial factors. He also admitted he would be open to Gatland becoming director of rugby with a new head coach alongside him.

If Gatland is dismissed before Christmas, Wales will appoint an interim head coach for the 2025 Six Nations. In this scenario, Rob Howley would be one of the leading contenders.

“The Welsh audience would expect us to do a critique and it’s important that we own the performance and don’t limit it to just one aspect, which is Warren,” Collier-Keywood said.

“He is a very important aspect, but this is a moment where he is part of it, but not in the spotlight. It is our collective responsibility.

Wales Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney says the team has failed to meet expectations.

Flanker James Botham was one of Wales’ few bright spots last November, the grandson of England cricket great Sir Ian impressing in a struggling side.

Botham scored one of Wales’ two tries against the giant Springboks, putting his body on the line against a much bigger and superior rugby team.

Botham unequivocally backed Gatland when asked if he was the right manager for Wales.

‘Of course. Look at what he’s done in the past,” Botham said.

“There’s a reason he came back to work. Is there no point in trying to point fingers, blame or say he is the right person? It’s there, so of course it’s made for the job.

At the AGM, Tierney revealed that the WRU had made a loss of £7.5 million for the year ending June 2024. Turnover increased to £102.7 million with gaming investments totaling £60.4 million.