'Changes have to be made' – should Gatland go?
Having been thumped by France in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations, Wales travel to Italy on Saturday in serious need of a win - and with head coach Warren Gatland under serious pressure.
A 43-0 loss in Paris last weekend extended Wales' historically bad run, which now stands at 13 consecutive international defeats.
Wales have not won a Six Nations game since beating Italy in Rome in 2023, and have not won any Test match since beating Georgia in October that year.
Another loss on Saturday would likely see Wales drop to an all-time low of 12th in the world rankings.
With daunting home games against England and Ireland to come, as well as a trip to Murrayfield to play Scotland, Saturday's match in Rome could be Wales' best chance to finally return to winning ways.
Wales' dire form has cast doubt over Gatland's future.
In December 2024, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney admitted Gatland's position had been "on the line", but that the New Zealander would take charge of this Six Nations campaign.
Another review is scheduled for the end of the championship, and a first loss in Rome since 2007 could make the WRU's decision for them.
'No order, pattern or style of play'
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Brynmor Williams says defeat in Rome would mean "changes have to be made".
"We want a win, but with so little evidence from the defeat by France, it's difficult to know how we're going to win the game," Williams told BBC Radio Cymru.
"I don't have much faith in the coaches to be honest as we haven't seen any evidence of a different style of play.
"No intent in the attack, no imagination, no-one's carrying the ball. There's no order, pattern or style of play.
"I don't think it [coaching changes] will happen after the game tomorrow but certainly after the championship.
"I think we need fresher, younger faces. I don't think they could do any worse than what Gatland has done."
'Huge game for the Wales coaches'
James Hook helped Gatland win a Six Nations Grand Slam with Wales at the first attempt in 2008, but the former fly-half fears for his former coach's future if he is not victorious in Rome.
"This is a big game, probably more for the coaches than the players," said Hook.
"At the start of the campaign, they would have looked at thought they were not going to win in Paris, Italy there's a chance, then there's England and Ireland in two home games and we have to go to Murrayfield with Scotland doing well.
"It's a huge game for the coaches and a game Italy will be targeting as well."
Biggest game in two decades?
Immediately after the France loss, another former Wales fly-half, Dan Biggar, described Saturday's game against Italy as the "biggest match for the last 15-20 years".
It was a view which Gatland disagreed with on Thursday, though he added that Wales are "desperate to get a win".
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales on Friday, Biggar said he understood Gatland's opinion, but reiterated the importance of the game.
"Clearly a round-two game against Italy when you're not competing for the title is on the face of it not as big as a World Cup semi-final," said Biggar.
"But the ramifications of not picking up a win tomorrow are huge with what's to come and a tricky tour to Japan off the back of the Six Nations.
"Some of these players have only played in the Welsh jersey for the last 10-12 matches and haven't experienced victory.
"It's all about the ramifications of not winning on Saturday, rather than it being bigger than a Grand Slam decider.
"If it doesn't happen tomorrow it is tough to see where Wales' next win comes from."
Biggar, who won 112 caps for Wales, said he believes the game against Italy is "a coin toss".
"I think tomorrow represents a really positive opportunity for this Welsh group to instil some much-needed positivity," added Biggar.
"Italy are ranked very similarly to Wales and struggled a little bit in the autumn.
"It's huge for both sides, and I've been saying all week that the game is absolutely a coin toss.
"Wales need to make sure that they fall on the right side of the coin and bring some positivity back to Welsh rugby."
Former Wales prop Chris Horsman said Wales' current predicament was a consequence of the Welsh Rugby Union's "decisions and choices."
"In a two horse race they've got a chance but unfortunately Italy go into this game as favourites," Horsman told BBC Radio Wales.
"I think it's a really sad indictment where we find ourselves in Welsh rugby and what's happened the last few years.
"Basically we're looking at winning against Italy to potentially stop a consecutive wooden spoon and drop to 13th in the World rankings.
"There's so much jeopardy in this game – I know a lot of people spoke about it being their biggest game in 20 years, which I don't think it is when you consider Grand Slam deciders and World Cup semi-finals.
"I just think it's symptomatic of the decisions and the choices that have been made by the governing body that's led us to this point.
"Gatland's always been good in getting that siege mentality and taking the pressure of those young guys – 13 games they've lost on the bounce and the last thing they need is pressure.
"They've got to go out there with a free mind and able to focus on the game plan.
"It's just terrible that they're in this situation but I think it's good from Gatland that he's taken the pressure off these players because they really need to go out there and express themselves."
