Welsh rugby faces a defining test of trust

The next few months will be critical in shaping Welsh rugby's future. How often have we heard that statement over the years? Countless times no doubt. Welsh rugby has found itself staring into the abyss on more than one occasion since the game went open but has dragged itself back from the brink to enjoy relative periods of success before inevitably falling back into its old ways. It's a vicious cycle.

Does anyone remember how poor Wales were in 2002-03 both at Test level and the professional club game? For those of you with hazy memories, they were bad, really bad. Ironically that period saw Wales under their then head coach Sir Steve Hansen lose 10 Test matches in a row, their worst ever run, a record Warren Gatland, who is currently on nine successive defeats, will want to avoid against Fiji in their autumn opener on November 10.

To be fair, Gatland is operating with one hand tied behind his back given the obvious cracks in the system along with the lack of quality, experience and depth in Wales' professional player pool. But did it have to be that bad last season? Perhaps not.

The Welsh Rugby Union board have faith in Gatland to turn around a sinking ship, with the New Zealander clearly having credit in the bank because of his hugely successful first stint in charge of the national side. Gatland himself remains adamant this current Wales squad, full of youngsters who are talented yet wet behind the ears, will be a very competitive team come the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Maybe he is right, but Gatland really needs to start winning in the near future. Beating South Africa is beyond this Wales side but they should be targeting victories over Fiji and Australia, while they need to put in a significantly better showing in next year's Six Nations.