“He said he felt it was in the best interests for Welsh rugby for him to go. I think he’s always put Welsh rugby first and that was his main driving factor. He gave me no sense he’d had enough but when he no longer felt it was the right time for him to be in post, then it was the right time for him to go.”
‘This is in the best interest of Welsh rugby’
Gatland’s decision also prevented the WRU board – which will convene for a pre-scheduled meeting on Wednesday – from having to make the tough call on his fate.
“He phoned me,” explained Tierney. “We caught up after the game, and he phoned me and said ‘can we have a conversation?’. So we had a conversation and we reached a mutual agreement that this was the best time and in the best interest of Welsh rugby for him to finish his role.
“I think it was always going to be difficult to reach the decision. I think there was a mounting sense that it wasn’t working and something had to be different, and up until now Warren has always felt that he was the right person to make that change and take the team forward. He no longer felt that and when that happens, we’ve got to look for a new solution and I think it was important for the team, the management team and the Welsh public that we’ll make that change. We didn’t want to make it in the middle of the tournament, but it’s still the right decision.”
English-born Sherratt will take charge of Wales’ remaining matches against Ireland, Scotland and England while juggling his duties with Cardiff, who face Connacht in the United Rugby Championship this weekend and Leinster in a fortnight’s time.
“I was sat on my sofa at eight o’clock last night and Huw’s [Bevan, WRU performance director] name came up on my phone. I can’t repeat what I said when I saw his name come up. But I’ve been in sport long enough to know it’s pretty bumpy. You’re never going to be offered an opportunity when things are going well. It’s not something I expected to happen, but I’ll be honest as soon as I got the phone call ...
“My background is as a teacher and in community coaching. So to have the opportunity to be senior coach of a fantastic rugby nation, and a group of players and staff I know pretty well, is something I couldn’t turn down. It was a surprise. And there is obviously a harder side to this with someone of a class coach like Warren, who has given so much to Welsh rugby.”
Sherratt was previously a member of the Wales set-up while Gatland was on British and Irish Lions duty in 2017, having held backroom roles with Bristol Bears, Worcester Warriors and Ospreys, before his first head coach job at Cardiff.
It is not yet clear what will happen with Gatland’s existing backroom staff. It is thought that some members have a break clause in their contracts at the end of the summer, while others are on rolling 12-month deals.
Rob Howley was assistant to Gatland alongside Jonathan Humphreys and Mike Forshaw, while Adam Jones had been brought in as scrum coach on a secondment from Harlequins.
Reports on Tuesday suggested that the WRU was interested in Simon Easterby, the Ireland coach deputising for Lions-bound Andy Farrell, but it is understood any move would be unlikely to succeed.
Glasgow’s Franco Smith is another option to take the reins long term. Graham Rowntree and Stuart Lancaster are two other coaches who are available, though neither has been approached, while Michael Cheika will be a free agent at the end of the season when his Leicester contract expires.
After winning three Six Nations Grand Slams with Wales between 2007 and 2019, Gatland returned to the job when Wayne Pivac was sacked in 2022.
Gatland offered to resign after Wales finished the 2024 Six Nations with the wooden spoon – their first for 21 years – but it was rejected by Tierney. The New Zealander then oversaw the tour to Australia and last season’s autumn internationals.
Speaking after his departure was officially announced, Gatland said: “I would like to thank the WRU board for the faith shown in me after a tough campaign throughout 2024 and affording me the time and resource to try to turn things around for this 2025 tournament.
“We have worked hard, we have a talented young squad that is developing and have been desperate to turn potential into results, but now is the right time for a change.”
“I’ve reached the end of this particular chapter, but I remain grateful to all those in Wales who have supported me, to all the players who have played for me and to all those around me, especially my management team, who have contributed to what we have achieved over the years. I wish whoever takes over all the best for the future.
“Finally, I want to say a big thank you to the Welsh fans.”
Names in the frame to replace Gatland in long term
Michael Cheika
Reports suggest that tentative talks between Cheika and the Welsh Rugby Union have already taken place, with the Australian definitely departing Leicester at the end of the season owing to his family living in Sydney. An international role would give him greater travelling freedom.
Simon Easterby
Currently Ireland’s interim head coach with Andy Farrell on Lions duty, the former back-rower is on the WRU’s shopping list according to reports. However, it is understood that the chances of them securing Easterby’s services are slim.
Franco Smith
A seemingly central cog in this season’s coaching merry-go-round, South African Smith has emerged once again as leading contender for a long-term appointment with Wales. It is understood that the former Italy head coach was also in the frame for the Leicester job, having steered Glasgow to the United Rugby Championship title last year, but where Smith ends up coaching next season remains up in the air.
Shaun Edwards
Edwards enjoyed a feted stint as defence coach under Gatland before embarking on a new challenge in France. Although he wishes to continue coaching, Edwards has never been a head coach, so he would represent a serious gamble for the WRU. Edwards also lives in the south of France.
Vern Cotter
A man who knows international rugby and who knows the Six Nations. Cotter has coached both Fiji and Scotland – as well as a successful stint with Clermont Auvergne – and now runs the Blues in Auckland. At 63, however, he might not wish to move back across the other side of the world.
