The four main contenders to replace Warren Gatland as Wales boss

Find your local Greene King pub and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

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.