Wales fans turn on Warren Gatland, shock favourite to replace him

Friday, 31 January 2025 at 21:51

bySteven Smith

Wales fans have turned their ire towards head coach Warren Gatland following a lacklustre 2024 and a disastrous start to the 2025 Six Nations, with a heavy loss to France.

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

One frustrated fan took to social media, writing: “I’ve been one of Gatland’s biggest supporters, but he needs to step aside. Wales look stuck with the same tactics year after year. It’s so obvious, and it’s just not working anymore. The game has evolved.”

Another critic responded: “Gatland said Wales were going to surprise France in Paris. But conceding four tries and scoring zero points in the first half? That claim is absolutely refuted.”

One more fan was blunt, stating: “Can’t wait for Gatland to go, only for him to be replaced by Howley.”

Another chimed in with: “Gatland has to go… useless.”

A fourth pointed out: “I can’t think of a single aspect of the game Gatland has improved in his second spell. We can’t keep going like this.”

And one final voice said: “Terrible performance so far. And Gatland says ‘don’t write us off’.”

Ronan O’Gara: The 4/1 Irish savior?
As Gatland fights to keep his job, whispers of a potential replacement are growing louder. Leading the pack? Ronan O’Gara.

The La Rochelle head coach, fresh off a European triumph, is being tipped at 4/1 to take the reins. Could the Irish icon bring his winning touch to a beleaguered Wales?

Jonathan Humphreys: A Familiar Face at 6/1
Wales assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys finds himself third on the list at 6/1. Could an internal promotion help salvage the Dragons' pride, or does the squad need an entirely fresh approach?

The Outsiders: Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick at 50/1
Long shots like Eddie Jones and England’s Steve Borthwick remain at 50/1. Could one of these big-name gambles somehow pay off, or is it a bridge too far for the WRU?

BonusCodeBets: Who's Next for Wales?

Here are the odds for who could be the next Wales manager:

Steve Tandy: 2/1
Ronan O’Gara: 4/1
Jonathan Humphreys: 6/1
Brad Mooar, Dai Young: 8/1
Shaun Edwards: 10/1
Pat Lam: 14/1
Rob Baxter: 16/1
Chris Boyd: 20/1
Mark McCall: 25/1
Robin McBryde, Adam Jones: 33/1
Eddie Jones, Steve Borthwick: 50/1

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2

If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.

From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!