Six Nations Shock: Coach Sacked Just Days Before Kick-Off

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Rob Howley, a key figure during Gatland’s first reign, has been named Wales’ new attack coach, replacing Alex King.

Alex King’s time as Wales’ attack coach has come to an abrupt halt. The 50-year-old was appointed in December 2022, stepping in after Stephen Jones' exit. He guided the Welsh attack through two Six Nations campaigns and the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Wales reached the quarter-finals.

Yet, despite his contributions, King will not feature in Gatland’s plans moving forward. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has remained tight-lipped on the reasons behind this sudden coaching switch, leaving fans and pundits alike to speculate on the decision.

Howley, 54, returned to the Wales setup in December 2023 as a technical coach, following a ban for betting breaches. Now back in a prominent role, he brings a wealth of experience, having been part of three Grand Slam-winning campaigns and a fourth Six Nations title during Gatland's first stint. He also toured with the British and Irish Lions as attack coach on three occasions.

Gatland has shaken things up further, bringing in scrum guru Adam Jones on secondment from Harlequins. Meanwhile, psychology and performance expert Andy McCann has joined the setup, alongside existing staff Mike Forshaw (defence coach) and Neil Jenkins (skills coach).

Wales head into the 2025 Six Nations on the back of a record-breaking 12-game losing streak since their 2023 World Cup exit. The pressure is mounting on Gatland as his side face a daunting opener against France in Paris on Friday, 31 January (20:15 GMT).

Can Howley’s return spark a turnaround for Wales? Or will Gatland's revamped coaching team struggle to find a winning formula? Only time will tell.

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