State of the Nation: Only Warren Gatland can save Wales’ World Cup

The 2022 international season has been completed. Next up is Wales. They have just three wins in the last 12 months and are 10 months away from the World Cup. Wayne Pivac took over after Warren Gatland's departure. PIVac is not helped by a bad-run and poorly funded rugby governing body.

Wales have been easy to play against under Pivac's management. Their most successful period under him came during their 2021 Six Nations title success. Wales started their 2022 campaign badly, losing to Ireland 29-7 and then beating Scotland 20-17. They were beaten by England and France in their Round 3 and 4 matches. Italy came to town and they lost 21-15. PIVAC's future as a head coach is in doubt.

Wales lost the Autumn Nations Series 2-1 to South Africa and lost 55-23 to New Zealand. Georgia's victory in the last game of the series sealed Pivac's fate. He was criticised for his style of play but it worked well for the players. The WRU need to act now as Warren Gatland is a popular choice. England are set to sack Eddie Jones and offer him a short-term deal. If they do that, Pvac will be the only candidate.

Warren Gatland needs to save Wales' World Cup. Pivac tried to change the style of the team but didn't have the players to play that way. Alun Wyn Jones is still their best front five forward. Jac Morgan was outstanding during the Autumn Nations Series. The back row options are good, but the squad lacks depth. They will be more worried about getting out of a group with Australia, Fiji, Georgia and their conquerors in November, than facing either England, Japan, Argentina or Samoa in the quarter-finals. They are feasible to make it to the semi-final, if they find themselves on the right side of their draw.