‘How quick people are to forget’ – Warren Gatland’s daughter slams ‘incomprehensible negativity’ from Wales’ ex-players
Wales head coach Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Test against Italy.
Warren Gatland’s daughter has slammed Wales’ former players after her father’s departure from his position as the country’s head coach earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Gatland stepped down from his position “by mutual agreement” with the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt has been appointed as his replacement on an interim basis for the rest of the Six Nations.
Gatland’s departure came after Wales went on a 14-match losing streak – which is their worst in their history – under his guidance and that winless run stretches back to 2023.
Received criticism after poor results
Inevitability, Wales’ poor recent form has led to plenty of criticism with some of those critics being players who represented Wales under Gatland.
However, the 61-year-old’s daughter, Gabby Stone – nee Gatland – has not taken kindly to that criticism and launched a passionate defence of her father on social media.
“I’m so proud of all your successes, but what I’m most proud of is that you returned to Wales to try and help them become a strong and winning nation again,” Stone posted on Instagram.
“Unfortunately the issues were deeper than you could control and the negativity that has come from not only the media, but ex-players who you brought so much success to, is incomprehensible.
“How quick people are to forget how much you did for Welsh rugby is beyond me.
“The Welsh fans are the most passionate in the world and I hope they can get behind the team for a better future. Time to come home.”
Last Test victory recorded in 2023
Wales last tasted victory at Test level during a pool match against Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
They did manage one win during their losing run – a narrow 36-35 triumph over the Queensland Reds in a tour match during their three-game tour of Australia last year.
Wales started their 2025 Six Nations campaign with a 43-0 loss against France in Paris before suffering a 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome at the weekend.
That defeat leaves Wales firmly rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point gained from those two matches and they are the only winless team at this stage of the Championship.
Gatland’s overall record as Wales head coach stands at 151 Tests with 76 wins, 73 defeats and two draws. He initially coached Wales between 2008 and 2019 and registered 70 victories from 125 games with 53 losses and two draws, which gave him a success rate of 56%.
However, he returned for a second stint as the country’s head coach in 2023 but struggled on his return as they managed six wins and 20 losses in 26 matches, a success rate of just 23%.
READ MORE: Loose Pass: Warren Gatland’s departure, the state of the game and the onset of Super
