Gatland has at all times believed he can convey success when he spends time with gamers, which World Cup preparation permits.
After naming a 54-man coaching squad, he had to deal with the worldwide retirements of legends Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, whereas Owens was unavailable due to damage.
Gatland’s man-management abilities had been beneath scrutiny as prop Rhys Carre was brutally launched from the squad for “failing to fulfill particular person efficiency targets”.
Intense coaching camps in Switzerland and Turkey appeared to have labored as Wales stormed to World Cup pool success, with victories in opposition to Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia.
The 40-6 hammering of Eddie Jones’ Wallabies aspect in Lyon proved the undoubted spotlight of Gatland’s second spell in cost.
Wales suffered quarter-final defeat in opposition to Argentina in Marseille. It was a match Gatland felt they need to have received, however satisfaction had been restored to Welsh rugby.
Right here is when historical past may have been totally different. With a brand new four-year World Cup cycle beginning, Gatland and the WRU may have mentioned their farewells after he had accomplished a short-term job.
WRU government director of rugby Nigel Walker acknowledged earlier than the event in France he was backing Gatland to guide Wales to the 2027 World Cup, labelling him “probably the greatest coaches on this planet”.
So Gatland stayed on, however a few of his best gamers didn’t. Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny retired from worldwide rugby, Tomas Francis left Wales for a brand new life in France, Owens hung up his boots and George North stop the Take a look at area after the 2024 Six Nations.
Gatland was left with an inexperienced squad and had to make use of younger gamers, a scenario that noticed Wales hunch to a primary Six Nations picket spoon in 21 years.
Gatland says he provided to resign within the altering room following the defeat to Italy in March 2024 which condemned Wales to a clear sweep of Six Nations losses, however the supply was turned down by WRU chief government Abi Tierney.
He additionally made headlines once more when he acknowledged Welsh rugby generally felt like a “sinking ship”.
