Another Wales coach has been removed from his position

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Sherratt, Cardiff’s head coach, was handed the temporary role on Tuesday following Warren Gatland’s exit. The veteran coach walked away after Wales slumped to a 14th straight defeat in Rome last weekend. Now, Sherratt has three games to turn things around, with Wales set to host Ireland and England, while also heading north to face Scotland in Edinburgh.

Injury setbacks have already forced changes, with Owen Watkin and Liam Williams both ruled out ahead of the clash against Ireland on February 22. But perhaps the biggest twist? Howley—one of Gatland’s most trusted lieutenants—is out of the picture. Despite still being under contract, he won’t be part of Sherratt’s coaching team for the rest of the Six Nations.

Rob Howley – a stalwart of Welsh rugby for over a decade – is no stranger to pressure. A former scrum-half, Howley earned 59 caps for Wales, including appearances at two World Cups (1995 and 1999). Known for his leadership on the field, he transitioned into coaching, serving as Gatland's right-hand man throughout their successful Six Nations campaigns. Howley played a crucial role in guiding Wales to a Grand Slam in 2012 and a Six Nations title in 2013.

His coaching reputation took a hit in 2019, when he was sent home from the World Cup for breaching team protocols, but he bounced back to resume his duties under Gatland. Now, with Sherratt at the helm, Howley’s absence marks the end of an era.

The Sherratt era has begun—and he’s wasting no time shaking things up.

Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will step in as interim head coach for the remaining three Six Nations fixtures while continuing his commitments with Cardiff for their upcoming game against Connacht.

However, the decision has left many Welsh fans puzzled, as no long-term replacement has been confirmed. So, who is next in line to take on the challenge of reviving Welsh rugby?

Here are five leading candidates for the job.

Cheika is currently leading Leicester Tigers on a one-year deal, which he is not expected to extend beyond this season. That could open the door for Wales to swoop in for the experienced Australian.

With previous head coaching stints at Australia and Argentina, Cheika boasts significant international pedigree. Ironically, he masterminded Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Cheika is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Gatland. However, if Wales opt for him, they may need an interim coach to bridge the gap until the end of his Leicester tenure—a potential complication, particularly with Wales’ summer tour of Japan carrying major implications for World Cup seeding.

Currently standing in for Andy Farrell as Ireland’s head coach while Farrell prepares for the British and Irish Lions tour, Easterby has been part of the Irish coaching setup since 2014. Before that, he gained experience coaching at the Scarlets.

Although this Six Nations marks his first stint as an international head coach, his familiarity with the Welsh game makes him a compelling candidate. The WRU will have the opportunity to directly assess his credentials throughout the tournament before making a move.

Easterby is joint-third favourite with bookmakers and has strong backing from sections of the Welsh fanbase.

Another frontrunner for the role, Smith is also joint-third in the bookmakers’ odds. While his international coaching experience doesn’t match Gatland’s, he previously served as Italy’s Head of High Performance—an appealing factor for a WRU likely to undertake a complete rebuild of Welsh rugby.

Smith has impressed with Glasgow Warriors, guiding them to second place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season. His ability to transform teams could boost his chances of securing the Wales job.

Schmidt is set to step down as Australia’s head coach after the Lions tour this summer, making him a prime candidate for Wales.

The former Ireland and New Zealand assistant coach oversaw Australia’s dominant win over Wales in the autumn but was notably complimentary of the Welsh squad’s effort and potential.

With a wealth of international experience, Schmidt is a proven figure at the highest level. If Wales are looking for a steady, battle-hardened leader, he could be the ideal choice.