Warren Gatland pips ex-Springbok to land first full-time gig after Wales sacking
Ex-Wales head coach Warren Gatland and an inset of Greig Laidlaw.
Former Wales head coach Warren Gatland is set to land his first full-time coaching role since being dismissed by the Welsh Rugby Union.
The ex-British and Irish Lions boss left his role with Wales mid-Six Nations this year after falling to a 14th straight defeat and was replaced by Matt Sherratt in the interim, who oversaw the final rounds of the competition and the mid-year internationals.
Steve Tandy has since been appointed as Gatland’s permanent successor and will lead the team for the first time in the November internationals.
Gatland lands new gig
Since leaving Wales, the New Zealander has worked as a pundit during the British and Irish Lions series after taking up an advisory role with Uruguayan club side Penarol, helping them to win the Super Rugby Americas title in June.
However, he looks set to land his first full-time coaching role, according to a report by RugbyJP.com.
The report states that Gatland is set to be unveiled as the new head coach at Japanese Division One side Urayasu D-Rocks.
The Chiba-based D-Rocks narrowly defeated division two side the Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi to avoid relegation after winning just three of their 18 regular season matches.
It was Greig Laidlaw’s first season as head coach of the team, with the Scotsman taking over from former Springboks lock Johan Ackermann, who took on an advisory role.
The D-Rocks confirmed Ackermann’s departure upon completion of the 2024/25 season but have not commented on Laidlaw’s future, who is set to be replaced by Gatland, the report states.
The former Chiefs boss was reportedly picked from a host of international candidates, including an unnamed former Springbok. Meanwhile, Ackermann has since taken over as head coach of the Bulls in South Africa, replacing Jake White, who parted ways with the Pretoria-based outfit after the 2024/25 season.
While Urayasu struggled this season, they do have a talent-laden squad which includes Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese, Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi and Tongan star Israel Folau.
The club have also signed Motoki Sudo, Manaaki Selby-Rickett, Quinten Strange, Tamati Ioane and Ryohei Yamanaka after announcing the departure of 12 players.
Gatland looks set to join his son Bryn in Japan, with the latter playing for the Dave Rennie-led Kobe Steelers, who have signed All Blacks Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown for the new season.
