Autumn Nations Series: Wales v South Africa

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 23 November Kick off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Warren Gatland’s future remains uncertain amid the agonising soul-searching going on in Welsh rugby.

A record 11 successive Test match defeats has prompted fierce speculation over the head coach.

Welsh rugby’s issues clearly run far deeper than one man but few coaches, in any sport, survive a run as bad as this.

Gatland could still be in charge for Saturday’s daunting appointment with world champions South Africa, but whether he remains in place for the Six Nations opener in Paris 10 weeks later appears increasingly uncertain.

He spoke to Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) executive director of rugby Nigel Walker and chair Richard Collier-Keywood after Australia’s biggest win against Wales for 28 years, and is comfortable with “whatever the best decision for Welsh rugby is”.

Aaron Wainwright insists the players are fully behind Gatland despite their latest loss.

The question is whether sacking Gatland will make a difference.

Former Wasps and England prop Phil Vickery echoed Alex Cuthbert’s comments that Gatland could yet turn Wales around for the Six Nations if given time.

Gatland steered Wales to the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup and has appealed for patience as he builds a new team.

“When people ask if I wish I’d got into coaching, I see some of the footage of Warren at the weekend and it makes you say ‘absolutely not’,” Vickery told Radio 5 Live.

“But he’s done incredibly well for Wales and if anybody can do it, that’s your man.

“It’s results driven and he’s under the cosh, but if I was a young Welshman wanting to break out, Warren Gatland is your man to bring people in and make something happen.

“Wales don’t have the depth of squad, but he’s been there before and done it.”

Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones believes Gatland has already “checked out”.

“I believe Gatland when he says how disappointed they are but his record as a coach since 2019, with Waikato, the [British & Irish ] Lions and Wales, it’s dreadful,” Jones said.

“The game is changing and you need to bring ideas and be pioneering. Wales are playing the same way now as when he came in 2008. We’re too conservative.

“We don’t have the big strong players anymore so we have to be more inventive and I don’t think it’s within him to coach any other way.”

Ex-Wales & British & Irish Lions centre Tom Shanklin praised Gatland for “transforming” the national side during his first spell in charge, but said Wales now lack an identity.

“I’ve never seen him like the way he was after the Australia game. I feel sorry for him after all he did for Welsh rugby,” said Shanklin.

“But there has to be accountability for this run and not just from the head coach, but the WRU as well.

“Warning signs have been ignored about too much focus on the national side and not enough on the regions and academies to develop players.

“Gatland offered a short-term fix when he returned, but now it’s time for a new coach with a fresh voice bringing fresh ideas.

“We can’t play physical rugby any more because we lack size or power, but we’re not seeing a plan B and there hasn’t been any progress.”

Shanklin’s fellow Grand Slam winner James Hook agreed it was time for a change after just six wins in 23 Tests since Gatland’s return.

“What is going to change if Warren is still in charge for the Six Nations?” he asked.

“You don’t want to see anyone lose their job, but it feels that something has to change to freshen everyone up, players and fans.

“But we also need to invest in other areas such as the academies. They’re not good enough and we’re setting up a lot of young boys to fail.”