Sam Warburton urges Wales to avoid ‘cut-throat’ Warren Gatland decision and hails ‘obvious’ selection for British and Irish Lions
Sam Warburton discusses Warren Gatland future as Wales head coach.
Sam Warburton has urged the Welsh Rugby Union to give head coach Warren Gatland until the end of the 2025 Six Nations before making a decision on his future.
The pressure has been mounting on Gatland after a winless 2024 Six Nations was followed up by a defeat to South Africa and back-to-back losses to the Wallabies.
Their dismal run saw them lose nine matches in a row and although they managed to end their Australian tour with a win over the Reds, it was a close-run affair.
Needs more time
However, Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Warburton feels patience is needed regarding Gatland‘s future, believing there have been signs of improvement.
“If I was in charge, I would wait until after next year’s Six Nations to make any decision on Warren Gatland’s future,” he told RugbyPass in an exclusive interview.
“It would be way too cut-throat to sack him now. You have got to give him time so I would wait and see how results and performances pan out until the end of the Six Nations next year. Given his track record and his progress over the summer, changing the coach wouldn’t be in my thinking for the powers that be at Welsh Rugby Union.
“I have not given it any thought on who his replacement could be. His style is a good style for international rugby. I don’t know who is out there. Whoever comes in, you want to look at someone that’s had previous international experience.”
Looking at the positives of the mid-year Tests especially, Warburton was full of praise for captain Dewi Lake as his performances caught the eye of the ex-skipper.
“I saw Dewi Lake play when I was coaching over in Wales and I spent a bit of time with him. From his physical stature, athleticism and professionalism, I thought that this is the world class hooker Wales have been crying out for. I thought he would make it without a doubt, injuries permitting,” the Canterbury ambassador said at the recent launch of their boot collection, Stampede.
“He is so aggressive and he is a powerful athlete. He has proven to everyone what every coach in the system has seen over the last four years. He is a textbook, modern-day hooker. If you asked him to fill in at number eight, he could do a job there. Dewi Lake will be a world class hooker for Wales, there is no doubt about that.
“If I was on the selection committee for the Lions, Dan Sheehan and Dewi Lake are the two obvious selections for me at hooker. If Welsh fans are panicking about who is going to go, I’m almost certain that Dewi will be on that tour.”
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