The search for Wales' new head coach, why it's taking time and names still in frame

Wales Online

6 days ago

The search for Wales' new head coach, why it's taking time and names still in frame
The WRU's search for a new head coach shows no sign of ending
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and newly appointment Dave Reddin, director of rugby and elite performance
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
The Welsh Rugby Union's search for a new head coach remains ongoing three months after they parted ways with Warren Gatland.
Matt Sherratt will lead Wales to Japan as interim head coach, having held that role for the final three games of the Six Nations, but the identity of Gatland's long-term successor has not been finalised.
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The WRU have chosen not to rush into an appointment, but while there is no deadline on the appointment Welsh rugby is in need of a long-term head coach who can work closely with the new director of rugby Dave Reddin to plot a way forward for the game in Wales.
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In the weeks after parting ways with Gatland, the WRU did make contact with agents and coaches, with a number of early contenders emerging.
Ireland's Simon Easterby was a name high up on the list, with his thorough knowledge and experience of Welsh rugby after almost 20 years as a player and coach at the Scarlets marking him out as a prime candidate.
Experienced Australian Michael Cheika was also someone of interest, while Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam confirmed to WalesOnline on the Welsh Rugby Podcast the WRU had enquired about his availability. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
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But Lam is in the middle of a long-term contract at Bristol and, while Cheika is leaving Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, his family are based in Australia.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith, who led the Scottish club to the United Rugby Championship title last season, was another leading contender.
"I would like to coach international rugby again... you never know," the former Newport outside-half told Premier Sports when asked whether he'd be interested in the Wales job.
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But there was another dynamic to Smith's position with many in the game touting the South African as Gregor Townsend's long-term successor as head coach of Scotland.
However, Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy then became the frontrunner for the job having held talks with the WRU.
But Reddin has taken over the search for a new head coach since being appointed DOR and, as a result, the WRU have taken a breath.
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WalesOnline understands Tandy remains a strong contender, while former England boss Stuart Lancaster's name has also been thrown into the mix.
Lancaster departed French giants Racing 92 in February and has since revealed he was in contention to become head coach of Australia before missing out to Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
It also appears Glasgow boss Smith remains in the frame for the job, while RugbyPass recently linked former England prop Graham Rowntree with the role following his exit from Munster.
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The feeling is some of the coaches who Sherratt has taken to Japan will be contenders to be part of a new long-term coaching team.
Danny Wilson (forwards) and Adam Jones (scrum) join on secondment in the summer but both are contenders for long-term roles with the WRU, while there have been suggestions Sherratt could stay on as attack coach, especially if Tandy gets the main job.
While the WRU are wise not to rush into an appointment there does need to be a sense of urgency.
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Welsh rugby is on the floor after a record 17 defeats in a row for the men's national side, while things have also blown up off the field with two clubs - Ospreys and Scarlets - refusing to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement.
The permanent head coach needs to be in place not only to start preparing for next season but also to run the rule over the pathway and to start building relationships with the professional clubs.
The future of the professional game in Wales is uncertain and that is likely to be a hindrance with regard to attracting high-quality candidates. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
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As Welsh rugby faces one of the most challenging periods in its modern history, the appointment of a permanent head coach is no longer just a matter of sporting strategy — it is a crucial step toward restoring stability, credibility and hope.
With the professional landscape in flux and the national team in dire need of direction, the WRU must strike the right balance between patience and purpose.
Whoever takes the reins will inherit more than a team — they will shoulder the responsibility of reigniting belief across a fractured rugby nation.