Warren Gatland: “When I came into the Six Nations, I had no idea. I didn’t realise a lot of things that were going on and the issues that were behind rugby, the squad and the players. At the time if I had known, I would have made a different decision and probably gone somewhere else”
Last Updated: 14/06/23 10:59am
Gatland began his second stint in December 2022, having previously led Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals between 2008 and 2019
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has claimed had he known about Wales’ issues, he would not have returned for a second spell in charge.
Having held the post between 2008 and 2019, during which time Wales won three Six Nations titles – each Grand Slams – and reached two World Cup semi-finals, Gatland made an extraordinary return in December 2022, replacing fellow Kiwi Wayne Pivac.
Wales won just 13 of 34 Tests under Pivac’s direction after he succeeded Gatland following the 2019 World Cup, finishing fifth with a solitary Test win in two of Pivac’s three Six Nations campaigns.
Despite Gatland claiming he had “no idea” of the issues within Welsh rugby, he took over a side that recorded just three wins from 12 Tests in 2022, and suffered historic home def …