STATEMENT: Warren Gatland returns to Wales with immediate effect

Wales’ most successful and longest serving coach is back to take over from fellow New Zealander Pivac, who has agreed to part company with the WRU after the official 2022 Autumn Nations Series review was completed and approved by the WRU Board.

“This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport, but the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team,” said Phillips.

“Ultimately we are in the results business and we have agreed with Wayne that the current trajectory for Wales is not where we want it to be and we thank him sincerely for his time, enthusiasm, diligence and effort, which is unquestioned, as head coach over the last three years.”

Gatland leaves Super Rugby side the Chiefs to return, after formerly serving Wales over a 12-year period. He completed his first Six Nations clean sweep in his debut season with Cymru in 2008, before repeating the feat in 2012 and finishing on the same high to win the 2019 tournament.

“In Warren we are bringing in one of the very best coaches in the international game,” continued Phillips.

“We were sorry to see him go when he left and we are delighted that he has agreed to return.

“We know him well and, most importantly, he knows us well too. We are extremely excited about this latest chapter for Wales-and-Warren-Gatland and I know the feeling is mutual.

“He will undoubtedly be able to make an immediate impact, just as he did when he joined us for the first time in 2008. But it has also been important to both parties to ensure we get absolute maximum gain out of the return of such an experienced and highly regarded individual.

“It is for this reason that we are particularly pleased to have been able to secure Warren’s services for the next few years with the ability to go to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales.

“We have been able to take swift action in difficult circumstances and that is testament to the good grace and professionalism of Wayne and the efficiency of our review process.”

“I’m very much looking forward to returning to coach Wales,” said Gatland

“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 fifteen years ago, and all the time we were there.

“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results. There will be new challenges as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first.

“We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow.”

"Lazy player with a terrible workrate, decent positioning at times that sees him finish off the good work of other players and get all the undeserved credit. Poor tackler too."

” That man lived off his ‘solo’ try against Australia and managed to get in the England team every time. He couldn’t tackle a crossword! Lacks creativity and only works running a line of a short pass from number ten. Overrated definitely!”

"He had a few good years between 2011-2013 and then he has died down. Hasn't looked good as the commentary teams make him out to be."

"George bloody North!"

"I think it's important to separate the player he was back in 2013, with the player he became once injury and loss of form hit. Definitely overrated though, but I think that's the media's fault."

"Maybe he got so many caps as there's been such a paucity of Welsh second rows. Maybe."

"At this point he only gets chosen because Wales Online will go nuclear and blow up Cardiff if he doesn't"

"I really really really don't understand why he is rated so highly"

"H'es been a great player. But he should have been nowhere near the starting jersey for the Lions in my opinion."

One fan argue back, saying: "Maybe he’s got 12 lions caps in a row, won numerous 6N championships, been nominated for world player of the year twice 4 years apart, and is the record cap holder in history because he is one of the greatest locks of all time...maybe.

"If there’s one player in world rugby who has caused more people to have egg on their faces after writing him off and downplaying his rugby ability, it’s AWJ."

5. Finn Russell

"Going to be controversial but Sergio Parisse. Sure he had fantastic skills but he was a show pony and not a work horse and people often overlooked this. He looked fantastic for Italy but that was because he was allowed to do all the flashy stuff but was mediocre in other areas."

"I think Parisse got a lot of credit just for being a leader and a quality player in a poor Italy side and was never rated by anyone as anywhere near world class"

"Consistently made world xv teams on scant evidence."

"Never has a cliche ever fit a player more than overrated show pony for Sergio Parisse"

"Honestly.... by the end of his career Parisse."

"The French forward is a player who jumps to mind."

"His appearance was half his reputation. Whenever he was given the appropriate attention he folded."

"Talented athlete who put in the odd big tackle but when push came to shove he always seemed to wilt away from the physical side of the game."

"Maybe not any more but I think Chabal was always vastly overrated. He did the odd massive hit and good carry but overall his impact on most games was pretty average for a man with so much hype."