Warren Gatland makes Wales return after Wayne Pivac sacking to rule out England role

Warren Gatland has made a sensational return as Wales head coach after the dismissal of Wayne Pivac, ruling out the prospect of joining England.

Pivac’s sacking was announced by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on Monday following a review into a disastrous Autumn Nations Series campaign, with Gatland immediately returning to the role he previously held between 2008 and 2019, less than a year out from the 2023 World Cup in France.

Gatland had been linked as a possible contender to take on the England coaching job in the event that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) decide to dispense with the services of Eddie Jones this week following their own review into a disappointing autumn and worst calendar year of results since 2008.

“I’m very much looking forward to returning to coach Wales,” Gatland said. “This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby. A country which made my family and I so welcome, when we first arrived fifteen years ago, and all the time we were there.

“There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results. There will be new challenges as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first.

“We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow.”

Wales lost three of their four autumn Tests in Cardiff this year against New Zealand, Australia and Georgia, with a lone victory coming against Argentina.

Though they did secure a historic first-ever Test win in South Africa over the summer, they lost that series 2-1 to the Springboks having also endured a terrible Six Nations, placing fifth after losing four of their five games including against Italy, whose last win in the competition had been in 2015.

Former Scarlets coach Pivac - who replaced fellow New Zealander Gatland after the 2019 World Cup in Japan - leaves with a record of 13 wins, one draw and 20 losses during his three-and-a-half year spell in charge, with Wales searching for a vital lift ahead of the next Six Nations and World Cup.

Inconsistency plagued much of his tenure, though he did blood through several impressive new caps and win the 2021 Six Nations title.

Gatland previously spent 12 years as Wales coach, winning four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals as well as securing no1 spot at the summit of the Test rankings.

His departure was confirmed ahead of the 2019 World Cup, where Wales were pipped by South Africa in the semi-finals before being bested by the All Blacks for third place.

Wales’ most successful and longest-serving coach of the modern era, Gatland returned to his native New Zealand to join Super Rugby outfit the Chiefs, whom he leaves to return to the Principality Stadium on a deal that runs until the end of the 2023 World Cup but, according to the WRU, has the “ability to go through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027”.

Gatland has also coached the British and Irish Lions on their last three tours, securing a series win in Australia and draw in New Zealand before a 2-1 loss in South Africa last summer.