TNT Sports
Warren Gatland admits to doubts over Wales future after Six Nations failure against Italy in Rome
By
Published 08/02/2025 at 18:09 GMT
Wales lost 22-15 in Rome against Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon, extending their unwanted record run to a 14th straight defeat. Head coach Warren Gatland's future is consequently under question, and speaking in a post-match press conference, the New Zealander conceded that he is questioning himself. Wales' next challenge is at home to Six Nations holders Ireland on February 22.
‘Championship beats Premiership’ – Full-time scenes as Doncaster see out thrilling win over Sale
Video credit: TNT Sports
Warren Gatland admitted to doubts after the 22-15 defeat for Wales against Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors lost in Rome in what was their record-extending 14th straight defeat, a run which has already seen Gatland’s position called into question as head coach.
That pressure will likely only intensify after another underwhelming display, and speaking in his post-match press conference, he conceded that the run of form was taking a toll on his confidence.
He said: "You do question yourself.
"The players are working incredibly hard. We’re pretty clear on what we wanted to do. With the weather, we knew it would be a tight game.
"It was about kicking and taking opportunities. I think, for us, we talked about continuing to work hard and staying tight as a group."
Given the unprecedented losing streak for the side, Gatland even insisted that his players needed to learn how to win a match of rugby.
- Fin Smith to start at fly-half for England's Six Nations clash with France
- Arundell set to join Bath as ambitious transfer spree continues
"Absolutely," he said when asked whether Wales need to learn how to win. "When you’re under pressure, your decision-making goes. You feel the pressure as a team that hasn’t won for a while. That’s the same when we’ve been in winning steaks.
"You can see the composure of the team. That’s where we are at the moment. We need the bounce of the ball."
Discussing the defeat, Gatland said that the problem lay with his players' decision-making, and he also suggested that the team did not get the breaks.
He added: "I thought today was a difficult day from the weather conditions.
"It was never going to be a display of rugby. It was about keeping errors down, and we shot ourselves in the foot. We made some wrong calls; those are part of the learning process.
"The bounce of the ball didn’t go our way. There was a forward pass from Nick Tompkins when there was a short pass to Ben Thomas on. We’re missing some opportunities, and we need to make sure we’re more accurate."
In their next Six Nations match-up, Wales host champions Ireland on February 22.
- - -
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement