Warren Gatland linked with shock return to coaching after quitting Wales

The 62-year-old has been out of the club game since leaving the Chiefs in December 2022 to take over from Wayne Pivac at the Wales national rugby union team.

His second stint in charge proved far less successful than his first, producing just six wins from 26 Tests after returning to the Welsh Rugby Union in 2022. But that difficult spell does little to diminish one of the most impressive coaching résumés in the professional era.

A former Waikato hooker who also played in Ireland, Gatland began his coaching journey with Galwegians in 1989 before stepping into the professional ranks with Connacht and Ireland. His breakthrough in club rugby came at Wasps in 2002, where he built one of Europe’s dominant sides. During his tenure, Wasps claimed three Premiership titles and lifted the Heineken Cup in 2004, alongside multiple domestic trophies.

He later returned to New Zealand to coach Waikato and then the Chiefs, leading the Super Rugby outfit to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

On the international stage, Gatland’s record remains formidable. He delivered three Six Nations Grand Slams with Wales and twice led the British & Irish Lions, overseeing the historic 2013 series win in Australia and a drawn series against the All Blacks in 2017.

Since leaving Wales just over a year ago, Gatland has been linked with the Georgia job and has taken on an advisory role with Uruguay.

Harlequins, who have lost eight of their 10 Premiership matches this season, are understood to have a healthy budget and are closing in on an appointment. Whispers linking Gatland with a return to English club rugby have intensified ahead of their trip to Leicester, as Quins search for a reset.

ere, we spotlight the most outstanding head coaches in world rugby today—assessing not only the silverware they’ve collected, but the imprint they’ve left on their teams, the innovation they’ve driven, and the legacy they are building.

France’s resurgence over the past five years owes much to a coach who understands both flair and pressure. After building his coaching credentials in the Top 14 with Stade Français, Montpellier and Toulon, Fabien Galthié stepped into the national role in 2020. The results were immediate: a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and another title in 2025.

Under his guidance, France have become one of the most watchable teams in world rugby. Yet with such depth of talent available, debate persists over whether this golden generation has fully peaked under his leadership.

Progress is rarely linear, and few coaching journeys illustrate that better than Chile’s rise under Pablo Lemoine. Appointed in 2018, he endured heavy defeats and a long wait for his first win, working with a squad new to elite international rugby. Patience paid off. Historic victories over Canada and the United States secured Chile’s first Rugby World Cup appearance in 2023.

While results at the tournament were harsh, the long-term growth has been undeniable. With landmark wins continuing and World Cup qualification secured again, Lemoine’s work stands as one of the sport’s great development success stories.

Silverware has followed Scott Robertson everywhere he has coached. Taking charge of the Crusaders in 2017, he immediately delivered Super Rugby titles—then kept delivering, building a dynasty unmatched in the professional era. Seven consecutive championships speak to his ability to innovate while maintaining elite standards.

Known as much for his infectious energy as his tactical sharpness, Robertson fostered a culture of freedom and accountability. Now entrusted with the All Blacks, his early tenure has been measured rather than explosive. Still, few doubt that a coach with his pedigree is capable of ushering in another dominant era.

A deep understanding of the game has defined Felipe Contepomi’s transition from player to coach. His early work with Argentina XV showcased his leadership, before a move to Leinster sharpened his attacking philosophy during a period of sustained success. Returning home, Contepomi helped guide the Pumas to historic wins over Scotland, England and New Zealand, and a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Cup.

Elevated to head coach shortly after, he delivered Argentina’s best-ever Rugby Championship campaign. Calm, thoughtful and highly respected, Contepomi is steadily shaping a side capable of competing with the world’s best.

Replacing a club legend is rarely straightforward, but Ugo Mola made Stade Toulousain his own. After a transitional period, he oversaw a recruitment and development strategy that turned Toulouse into European rugby’s benchmark. His teams play at pace, embrace offloading and trust young talent alongside established stars.

The results are staggering: multiple Top 14 titles and two Champions Cups in a golden era for the club. More than trophies, Mola has cultivated a strong identity and culture, ensuring Toulouse’s success feels sustainable rather than fleeting. Few club coaches in the world can match his consistency.

Calm, clarity and control returned to Australian rugby the moment Joe Schmidt arrived. Taking over after a turbulent period, he quickly imposed structure and belief on a struggling Wallabies side. Early wins signalled change, but it was a remarkable comeback victory over South Africa at Ellis Park in 2025 that truly captured his influence.

Though family considerations shaped his contract length, Schmidt’s impact has been profound. Known for his meticulous preparation and in-game intelligence, he once again proved that strong systems and trust in players can revive even the most fragile rugby environments.

There is a quiet authority to Steve Borthwick’s coaching style, built on detail and evolution rather than noise. After success with Leicester Tigers, including a Premiership title, he inherited an England side in need of stability. Gradually, his vision has taken shape. By 2025, England were not only winning consistently but doing so while playing more positive rugby.

An 11-win season underlined his progress. Borthwick’s willingness to adapt—rather than impose rigid ideology—has earned player trust and results, positioning him as a coach capable of delivering sustained international success.

Intensity and precision now define Ireland, and that transformation has unfolded under Andy Farrell’s watch. Since assuming the head coach role in 2020, he has guided Ireland to multiple Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2023, and landmark series wins in New Zealand.

Farrell’s Ireland are ruthless in execution and mentally resilient, often overwhelming opponents through sustained pressure. While World Cup success has remained elusive, his broader influence is undeniable. Now entrusted with leading the British & Irish Lions, Farrell’s standing among the game’s elite coaches continues to grow.

Winning has become routine for England’s Red Roses, and John Mitchell is the driving force behind it. Since taking charge, he has overseen an extraordinary unbeaten run, a Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, and ultimately World Cup glory in 2025. England now dominate with physicality, composure and tactical clarity.

Mitchell’s pedigree stretches across multiple nations, but his work with England women may be his most complete achievement yet. Recognised as World Rugby Coach of the Year, he has elevated an already strong programme into a truly dominant global force.

Modern rugby has rarely seen an influence like Rassie Erasmus. When he took control of South African rugby in 2018, belief was restored almost instantly. What followed were World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, multiple Rugby Championship titles, and a Springbok side renowned for tactical flexibility and mental toughness.

Erasmus’ willingness to challenge convention—both on and off the field—has reshaped how international teams operate. Success under pressure has become South Africa’s trademark. Relentlessly competitive and endlessly innovative, Erasmus stands alone as the defining coach of the current era.