Il Messaggiere - Welsh rugby's future more important to Gatland than saving his job

Wales head into next month's Tests at home to Fiji, Australia and world champions South Africa on a run of nine straight defeats, with the team's most recent Test victory coming against Georgia during last year's Rugby World Cup in France.

It is all a far cry from Gatland's first spell in charge of Wales, from 2007 to 2019, that yielded four Six Nations titles -- including three Grand Slams and two appearances in World Cup semi-finals.

But the 61-year-old New Zealander has found wins harder to come by since replacing compatriot Wayne Pivac as Wales coach in December 2022.

Gatland, however, has insisted he is in the process of rebuilding the side ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with a 35-man squad announced on Monday for the Autumn internationals including 16 players still in single-figure caps part of that process.

"Results are important, but I've tried to be incredibly honest," Gatland said.

"I am not here thinking about my own position or how I protect my own backside. It is about making the right decisions for Wales. We lost a huge amount of experience after the (2023) World Cup. We knew we were going to go through some pain."

"I understand short-term is also important. There is no hiding from it, the expectations and scrutiny in international rugby.

"That comes with the territory. I am comfortable with that -- I don't have an issue with it. It's about putting your hand on your heart and saying you honestly believe you are making the best decisions for Wales moving forward."

Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake will captain a squad featuring the uncapped pair of New Zealand-born Blair Murray and former England Under-20 international Freddie Thomas but injuries meant experienced players such as Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau were not included.

A.Goretti--IM