Warren Gatland's daughter calls out former Wales players in emotional Instagram post

Thursday, 13 February 2025 at 12:16

byRugby Rucker

Warren Gatland’s daughter, Gabby, has taken aim at former Wales players in a passionate Instagram post following her father’s departure from the national team.

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

Gatland’s reign ends in disaster

The 61-year-old coach stepped down on Tuesday, bringing an abrupt end to his second stint in charge. His exit follows a torrid run of form, with Wales failing to win a single match since their victory over Georgia in October 2023.

Gabby Gatland speaks out

In a heartfelt message, Gabby praised her father’s dedication to Welsh rugby while also slamming criticism from former players.

"Proud of you always, dad," she wrote. "You've given your all to Welsh rugby over the past 14 years—while living on the other side of the world from your family."

She went on to highlight the scale of the challenges her father faced and took aim at the negativity surrounding his tenure.

"Unfortunately, the issues were deeper than you could control, and the negativity from not only the media but also ex-players—who you brought so much success to—is incomprehensible."

"How quick people forget"

Gabby didn’t hold back, expressing her frustration at how some had seemingly turned their backs on her father.

"How quick people are to forget how much you did for Welsh rugby is beyond me. The Welsh fans are the most passionate in the world, and I hope they can get behind the team for a better future."

She ended her message with a clear statement:

"Time to come home ❤️"

Gatland’s departure leaves Wales searching for a new head coach as they attempt to rebuild from a disastrous Six Nations campaign.

The four main contenders to replace Warren Gatland as Wales boss

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.

1. Michael Cheika – Leicester Tigers Head Coach

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.

2. Simon Easterby – Ireland Head Coach (Interim)

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.

3. Franco Smith – Glasgow Warriors Head Coach

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.

4. Joe Schmidt – Australia Head Coach

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.

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