They say never go back. Or if you do go back, then know how long for.

When Warren Gatland became Wales head coach for a second time in December 2022, he acknowledged he was putting his reputation and legacy on the line.

Gatland had been Wales' most successful and longest-serving coach in his first 12-year spell in charge.

He even had a set of gates named after him outside the Principality Stadium. Now he has gone, in another remarkable day in the troubled world of Welsh rugby.

Gatland's return, a month in France during the 2023 World Cup aside, has not worked out as hoped.

His overall record stands at 151 matches with 76 wins, 73 defeats and two draws. The two spells at the helm could not be more contrasting.

During his first stint in charge, Gatland recorded 70 wins in 125 games with 53 defeats and two draws, a success rate of 56%.

He guided Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals, while taking sabbaticals to lead the British and Irish Lions to a series victory against Australia in 2013 and a draw against the All Blacks four years later.

Wales even briefly topped the world rankings in August 2019 after a record 14-match unbeaten run.

In stark contrast, Gatland has now presided over statistically the worst Wales side in their 144-year international rugby history, with 14 successive Test losses. In his second spell as Wales head coach, there were six wins and 20 losses in 26 matches, a success rate of less than 25%.

From the world's best to Wales' worst - what went wrong?


https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cg57nqegll9o