Warren Gatland’s future hangs in the balance as Tierney’s choices face scrutiny during the Six Nations
Cardiff: So, Warren Gatland is still in charge of the Welsh rugby team, but it’s not just his job that’s on the line. Abi Tierney, the CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union, is also feeling the heat. With the Six Nations coming up, everyone’s watching closely.
In a recent newsletter, rugby writer Steffan Thomas shared some insights about this situation. Tierney recently spoke to a few journalists, saying she strongly backed Gatland in a board meeting. But it wasn’t an easy conversation; the board had some tough questions for her.
As the CEO, Tierney’s decisions are under the microscope. She’s saved Gatland’s job a couple of times now, but if Wales doesn’t perform well in the Six Nations, she might face some serious backlash too. If things go south, it’s not just Gatland who could be shown the door.
Tierney pointed out that the team is young and lacks experience compared to their rivals. While she relies on data to make decisions, the only number that really matters is wins and losses. And right now, that’s not looking great.
It’s not all on Gatland, though. He’s had a stellar coaching career, but he’s also dealing with a struggling regional game and a team that’s lacking in size and experience. Whoever takes the reins is likely to face challenges with this current squad.
But here’s the thing: it shouldn’t be this bad. While this team might not be ready to win grand slams, they should be able to beat teams like Italy and Fiji at home. Over the last year and a half, it feels like failure has become the norm in Welsh rugby.
Some folks might say, “It is what it is,” but that mindset needs to change. Since Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood took over, there haven’t been many tough calls made. The situation doesn’t look good, and right now, it seems like there are no real consequences for failing.