Gatland to the Rescue for Struggling Dragons

Events out in Qatar continue to dominate the sports news headlines, with subjects such as the likely winner and Group Stage Expected Goals Findings generating plenty of discussion. However, away from football, the rest of the sporting world continues to go about its business and generate headlines of its own.

One of the biggest non-football related stories of the past week surrounded the Wales Rugby side, with the slightly surprising announcement that former coach Warren Gatland would be returning for a second spell in charge.

Four Year Deal

The wheels began to turn on Monday when the Welsh RFU parted ways with Wayne Pivac who took over from Gatland back in 2019. Pivak’s time in charge was not without its high points – notably a win last year’s Six Nations, and a first-ever away test success over the Springboks this summer. However, the overall trend of 2022 was a worrying one, particularly ahead of such a big year for International Rugby, and so Gatland is back.

Three years and one month since his last game at the helm, the Kiwi is reported to have signed a new £580,000 a year four-year deal, which will take him through not only to next year’s World Cup but also through to the 2027 edition in Australia.

Given his successful first spell in charge, it’s likely Gatland – who has been managing the Chiefs in Super Rugby – may not have needed too much persuading to return for another crack. Nevertheless, this is still admirably swift work from those in charge, with widespread reports having linked England with a swoop for Gatland following the departure of Eddie Jones.

Music to the Ears of Wales Fans

A change at the top was certainly needed following what has been one of the most disappointing periods for the national side in quite some time. 12 games in 2022 resulted in nine defeats, including humbling home losses to Italy and Georgia. That sequence has seen the Dragons slip to a lowly ninth in the World Rankings, behind both Scotland and Argentina.

Gatland is the man tasked with turning this state of affairs around. It would appear a mightily tall order to reshape this outfit in time to make a challenge at the Six Nations, or even the 2023 World Cup which kicks off in France next Autumn. Welsh fans will however likely be filled with renewed hope following the reappointment of the most successful coach in the history of the national side.

If Gatland can come close to the highs of his first spell in charge, Wales should at the very least be looking up the global rankings, rather than over their shoulders. In charge between 2007 and 2019, Gatland led Wales to four Six Nations titles, including a trio of dominant Grand Slams. That period was good enough to win the adulation of a nation, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award in 2013, and a CBE in the 2020 Birthday Honours List for services to Welsh rugby.

Optimistic About the Task Ahead

The famously demanding Gatland sounds delighted to be back, stating “This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby. A country which made my family and I so welcome, when we first arrived there 15 years ago, and all the time we were there.” And most encouragingly for the fans, “I wouldn’t be here unless I thought we were capable of winning things.” Over to you Warren.