The likely scapegoat, Gatland to stay and the Six Nations predicted
After a winless 2024, what next for Welsh rugby?
With Wales’ Test year over, the first winless one in 87 years, thoughts now turn to what comes next in 2025.
A Lions year would ordinarily bring excitement over potential tourists, but right now, the onus is on putting out the burning fire that is Welsh rugby.
With that in mind, myself and Steff have taken an look at a few of the biggest questions facing Welsh rugby right now to try and find some answers…
What will happen with Warren Gatland?
Ben James: Last week, he looked a broken man. However, after the defeat to South Africa, the mood was somewhat improved.
He felt like a man who knew, even in a 45-12 defeat, the performance was enough to get through whatever review was coming after the autumn. Afterwards, he reiterated his desire to stay on as Wales coach.
The following day, ahead of the review into Wales' miserable autumn starting, Gatland's bosses were describing him as one of the best coaches in the world. Those are hardly the words of people sharpening their knives.
It's hard to escape the feeling, and many said this at the time, that Gatland was a short-term fix on a long-term contract. The choice of a man, in Steve Phillips, who Welsh rugby will look upon considerably less generously than his £480,000 pay-out from the Union.
For all his successes in the past, Wales surely need a fresh coach, free of baggage and scar tissue within the Welsh game, who can work with the professional clubs and instil confidence in this young group of players.
But, regardless of all that, right now, it's looking likelier than not Gatland will be in charge of Wales heading into the Six Nations.
Steffan Thomas: If you'd asked me this question after the Australia defeat I'd have told you that he's likely to leave such was his deflated body language in the post match press conference.
But having heard his defiant mood after the South Africa game along with recent comments from Abi Tierney and Richard Collier-Keywood I think he will stay in some capacity. Having lost their previous 12 Test matches surely the WRU cannot afford not to make any changes but I think Gatland will stay in some capacity.
The likelihood is either executive director of rugby Nigel Walker or some of Gatland's backroom staff pay the price. Perhaps the WRU will follow the lead of the New Zealand Rugby Union back in 2022 when the All Blacks' then head coach Ian Foster had lost five out of six Test matches.
Foster looked as if he was heading for the chopping block but instead his assistant coaches Brad Mooar and John Plumtree paid the price. Don't rule out Wales doing similar.